Giorgio Chiellini retires: Was he a designated player for LAFC?

LAFC defender Giorgio Chiellini is set to announce his retirement from soccer at the age of 39.

The Italian international was most of the most celebrated defenders of his era, starring for Serie A giants Juventus for 18 years. He helped the Turin club to a record nine consecutive Serie A titles, as well as five Coppa Italia.

He made 117 appearances for the Italian national team and won the European Championships in 2020.

In 2022 he joined MLS club LAFC and led them to a historic double of Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in his first season. In 2023 the team reached MLS Cup for a second successive season, but they were beaten by Columbus Crew.

Ahead of the game Chiellini told reporters that the Columbus clash could be his final match: “I have to understand what I have to follow: My head, my heart and my legs, a lot of different calls. It could be my last game, we’ll see.”

Was Giorgio Chiellini a designated player for LAFC?

LAFC were just one game away from becoming the first team in more than a decade to win back-to-back MLS Cup titles. However Steve Cherundolo’s side is aging in some key positions and the LAFC boss may look to rebuild over the off-season.

Chiellini brought elite-level experience to the team but, at 39 years of age, required that they play a certain way to help cover his weaknesses.

He was a statement signing for LAFC but his more modest salary demands meant that he was not registered as a designated player. It is not known exactly how much he earnt, but his salary was partially covered by targeted allocation money. This means he was earning more than $612,500 but less than the $1,612,500 that would have made him a designated player.

His departure will not give LAFC an extra designated player spot, but the club does still have one of their three places vacant. The future of captain Carlos Vela, one of two existing designated players, is still undecided.