Los Angeles FC nearing deal for 37-year-old defender Giorgio Chiellini | OneFootball

The defender is in advanced talks to leave Juventus/ITA in June and sign with Los Angeles FC from Major League Soccer.

Allegedly, the Euro 2021 champion Giorgio Chiellini has already informed his current club he will leave Juventus/ITA in the middle of the year to play in the MLS. According to Manuel Veth, the defender has already shown interest in playing in the United States and terminating his contract with the Turin team. The player’s link with the current club is valid until June 2023.

LAFC has not made an official offer for the Italian center-back, but Sky Sports Italia reported late last month (April) that Chiellini is expected to leave Juventus at the end of this season and play for an MLS team.

In addition to the California team, the Vancouver Whitecaps also emerge as a strong contender to sign the veteran captain, since the Canadian team is directed by Italian coach Vanni Sartini. However, due to the discovery right rules, the Los Angeles team has first right of refusal much like a draft, where it holds the rights of the players, and any team would need to trade for the player, very similar to how the NBA deals with players who are drafted but choose to play abroad.

In addition to being an idol at the Vecchia Signora, Chiellini is one of the players who have played the most games defending the Italian National Team, 116 matches, and played in two World Cups, in 2010, in South Africa, and in 2014, in Brazil.

The defender has already informed everyone that his last game for the Azzurri will be the clash against Argentina, at Wembley (ING), on June 1st.

Giorgio Chiellini (Picture: Website/Juventus)

The player has been with Juventus since 2004. He’s made more than 550 appearances for the Turin team, won the Italian Serie A nine times, and was twice runners-up in the UEFA Champions League. This season, the defender has entered the field on 23 occasions.

If Chiellini signs with LAFC he will join defenders Mamadou Fall, Jesus Murillo, and Eddie Segura; who still seems not ready after recovering from injury following surgery on the cruciate ligament in his left knee.

LAFC will return to the field next Saturday (14), at 4:30 pm (GMT) against Colorado Rapids, away from home, in a match valid for the eleventh week of the MLS.

Article in Portuguese by Felipe Lessi.

(Cover: Reprodução/Juventus)