Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is set to return to his native France and sign for Lille.
The 38-year-old has been with MLS franchise Los Angeles FC since May 2024, but has struggled since his switch to the United States, scoring just five times and providing three assists in 37 appearances. Giroud, who is set to turn 39 in September, featured for LAFC against Chelsea at the Club World Cup earlier this month.
He has played 161 minutes across the entire tournament. But, having came on as a second-half substitute against Flamengo on Tuesday, Giroud is now expected to move back to Europe and make the move to Ligue 1 outfit Lille, according to Foot Mercato.
It's added that 'talks are at the final stages' and Giroud has 'opened doors to the move' to Lille, as he is keen on playing European football again before the end of his career. The Frenchman is anticipated to sign a one-year contract, with an option of a further 12 months. He will play his final game for LAFC against Vancouver Whitecaps on Monday before leaving on a free transfer.
Giroud is set to add more strength and firepower to the Lille frontline as Jonathan David prepares to say goodbye upon the expiry of his contract. David, 25, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal, is on course to depart as a free agent after scoring 109 goals in 232 matches for the French club.
Lille have three pre-season fixtures in the calendar. They face Jong KAA Gent on Tuesday, July 8 before taking on Amiens four days later. A trip to West Ham is scheduled for Saturday, August 9.
Giroud first moved to England in 2012 when he made the £9.6m switch to Arsenal from Montpellier. He hit double figures in each of his first five seasons in north London and, after enduring a difficult start to the 2017/18 campaign, Giroud signed for Chelsea on an 18-month deal in January 2018.
As he did at Arsenal, Giroud impressed at Stamford Bridge. He cemented himself as an integral squad member during Chelsea's run to winning Champions League, scoring six times in eight matches en route to the final. The former Tours and Grenoble frontman left the Blues in 2021 to join AC Milan.