Olivier Giroud: Former Chelsea and Arsenal striker set for European return with Lille

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Evening Standard

·27 June 2025

Olivier Giroud: Former Chelsea and Arsenal striker set for European return with Lille

The Frenchman returns to his home country to see out the end of his career

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Olivier Giroud is set to make a surprise return to European football less than a year after he joined Los Angeles FC.

The 38-year-old Frenchman, formerly of Arsenal and Chelsea, joined LAFC from AC Milan on a free transfer in May 2024 but never quite found his feat in California, registering just five goals in 37 appearances. He did, however, help the side to the 2024 US Open Cup, scoring one of three goals as they downed Sporting Kansas City in the final.

Despite the poor output, though, he is set to compete in the Europa League next season with LOSC Lille. Reports from Fabrizio Romano claim he has signed a one-year deal with the French outfit, who finished fifth in Ligue 1 last year, 24 points adrift of perennial winners Paris Saint-Germain.

He has mutually parted ways with the MLS troop with six months left on his contract as he looks to return home early. He will play his last match in black-and-gold on Monday as LAFC host the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Club World Cup proved his swansong - he failed to score in three appearances as LAFC exited the group stage with a whimper.

Speaking after terminating his contract, Giroud said: “I want to thank all of the fans, my teammates and the staff at LAFC for making this an enjoyable stop in my career.

"I am happy to have played a part in the success of LAFC. From winning a trophy last season to participating in the Club World Cup, this has been a great experience in L.A. for me and my family."

The move may well be the last of Giroud’s storied career, which now spans 20 years.

A World Cup winner with France, he spent the first 12 years of his professional playing career in his home nation with Grenoble, Istres, Troyes, and Montpellier before moving to Arsenal and, subsequently, to cross-town rivals Chelsea.

He picked up the majority of his career silverware in England, lifting the FA Cup three times with the Gunners before clinching both the Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea.