MLS
Olivier Giroud debut date: When can the Frenchman join LAFC?
The 37-year-old will move to MLS at the culmination of his AC Milan contract. Here’s what we know about Giroud’s start date.
LAFC moved up to fifth in the Western Conference last weekend with a comfortable 2-0 win on the road against St. Louis City. Steve Cherundolo’s side have made a respectable start to the 2024 campaign but there is an unmistakable sense that they are biding their time, awaiting a major arrival this summer.
Last week it was confirmed that French World Cup winner Olivier Giroud would be joining LAFC when his AC Milan contract expires this summer. The 37-year-old will be the replacement for former captain Carlos Vela at the focal point of the LAFC attack.
“Olivier has a clear hunger to win, which he has done consistently throughout his club and international career,” LAFC general manager John Thorrington said. “His championship ambition and his qualities as a man and as a player directly align with ours as a club, therefore we believe Olivier will be a great addition as we continue in our pursuit of more trophies.”
When will Olivier Giroud make his LAFC debut?
Giroud has just one Serie A fixture remaining with AC Milan but will have to wait a while to make his first appearance in black and gold.
For a start, the MLS secondary transfer window does not open until 18 July, meaning that he cannot officially be registered with LAFC until that date. The first LAFC fixture for which he could be available is a trip to the Seattle Sounders on 20 July, but even that may be too soon for the Frenchman.
He is expected to play a major part for the French national team in this summer’s European Championships. The team, in turn, are expected to go deep in the competition after reaching the final in three of the last four international tournaments. The final of Euro 2024 will be held on 14 July and Giroud, a veteran player off the back of a gruelling European season, will almost certainly require a break before returning to competitive action.
In a similar situation last summer, Lionel Messi took a seven-week break between his final game for Paris Saint-Germain and his debut with Inter Miami. With that in mind, we could be well into August before Giroud first steps onto the field for LAFC.