logo
Olivier Giroud to join Lille after LAFC exit, says French club ‘ticks a lot of boxes'

Olivier Giroud to join Lille after LAFC exit, says French club ‘ticks a lot of boxes'

Malay Mail30-06-2025
LOS ANGELES, June 30 — French striker Olivier Giroud is set to join Ligue 1 side Lille after leaving Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC.
The 38-year-old, who is France's all-time top scorer with 57 goals, played for Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan before joining LAFC last year and helped them win their first Open Cup title with a goal in the final in September.
LAFC announced Giroud's departure last week, midway through the MLS season.
'I think this club (Lille) ticks a lot of boxes for me and my family,' Giroud, who has retired from international football, told reporters on Sunday after playing his last match for LAFC, a 1-0 league loss to Vancouver Whitecaps.
'I am excited because we will also play (in the) Europa League, and it's very positive. It's a big club in France, Lille. Top five.' — Reuters
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Son Heung-Min earns 1st MLS assist as LAFC puts away Revolution
Son Heung-Min earns 1st MLS assist as LAFC puts away Revolution

New Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • New Straits Times

Son Heung-Min earns 1st MLS assist as LAFC puts away Revolution

LONDON: Making his first start in his brief MLS career, Son Heung-Min provided a late assist to Mathieu Choiniere as visiting LAFC earned a deserved 2-0 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday night in Foxborough, Mass. Mark Delgado scored in the 51st minute to put LAFC in front in Son's second MLS match. Son came off the bench in a 2-2 draw at Chicago last weekend. Hugo Lloris made five stops to keep his ninth clean sheet in 22 appearances this season as LAFC (11-6-7, 40 points) snapped a three-match winless run in MLS play. His best effort arguably came in the 88th minute, when he denied Tomas Chancalay's first-time blast from close range at his near post. Matt Turner made a late save while scrambling across his line to deny Son his first MLS goal. But New England (7-12-7, 28 points) failed to secure its first run of consecutive victories since April 26 and May 3 and suffered its sixth home defeat since the beginning of June. The Revs began the night eight points out of the ninth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Only seconds after Son narrowly missed putting LAFC in front with a shot just outside the left post, Delgado grabbed the lead. Following the ensuing goal kick, LAFC forced New England's Matt Polster over deep in the Revolution's end. A defender was able to poke the ball away from Son at the edge of the penalty area, but it fell to an unmarked Delgado, who composed himself before beating Turner to the top-right corner. New England rarely pressured Lloris after going behind, but one good chance arrived in the 88th minute on a cross from the right. Lloris positioned himself superbly to deny Chancalay's finish from very close range. Then came Son's saved header. But he fed Choiniere on the final attack of the night, playing the ball to his left for an emphatic finish by another summer LAFC signing. New England shaded the first half with few chances. The Revolution's best opportunity to go in front came in the 11th minute, when Leonardo Campana's effort from the left forced Lloris into a firm save at his near post.--REUTERS

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami add to Galaxy's rough season
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami add to Galaxy's rough season

New Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami add to Galaxy's rough season

LIONEL Messi returned from injury Saturday night and finished with a goal and an assist to propel host Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba also scored to help Inter Miami (13-5-6, 45 points) bounce back following a 4-1 loss last Sunday against host Orlando City SC and secure a much-needed three points in the chase for the Supporter's Shield. Messi, who had missed Miami's previous three matches across all competitions with a thigh injury, did not start but entered the game at the start of the second half. With the match knotted 1-1 in the 84th minute, Messi took a ball at the top of the box and delivered one of his signature individual efforts to put Miami ahead for good. Messi juked past the Galaxy's Lucas Sanabria and dribbled past another defender before firing a shot on target from distance past Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Micovic. Five minutes later, another rush upfield ended with Messi delivering a beautiful back heel to Suarez, who knocked another ball home to secure the club's first league win since July 19. It was Suarez's first goal in run of play in his past nine matches across all competitions and sixth in league play this season. A rough campaign following an MLS Cup championship last year continued for the Galaxy (3-16-7, 16 points), who are winless in their past four league matches – although LA will play Pachuca of Mexico in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday. Despite Messi's presence, the Galaxy gave themselves a chance to secure at least a point when Joseph Paintsil equalized the match in the 59th minute on his own brilliant individual effort. Paintsil dribbled past two defenders and ripped a shot that bounced off Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and into the net. But Messi answered in the clutch with his MLS-leading 19th goal. Despite outshooting LA 28-5 and 8-3 on shots on goal, Inter Miami didn't find the back of the net until Alba scored in the 43rd minute off a great through ball by Sergio Busquets.

Spurs get Frank off to flier as Haaland sparks revamped Man City
Spurs get Frank off to flier as Haaland sparks revamped Man City

Malay Mail

time7 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

Spurs get Frank off to flier as Haaland sparks revamped Man City

LONDON, Aug 17 — Tottenham manager Thomas Frank enjoyed a 'dream' home debut with a 3-0 win over Burnley, while Erling Haaland inspired new-look Manchester City's 4-0 rout of Wolves on the opening weekend of the Premier League season yesterday. Frank was seconds away from launching his era in charge with a trophy until a late Paris Saint-Germain revival won the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday. The former Brentford boss replaced Ange Postecoglou despite the Australian ending Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought by lifting the Europa League last term. Postecoglou was undone by Tottenham's worst domestic season since 1976-77 as they finished just above the relegation zone in 17th place. Frank's bid to revive Tottenham's league fortunes got off to the perfect start in north London. Richarlison made the most of the faith shown in him by Frank as the Brazilian turned in Mohammed Kudus' cross to open the scoring. The pair combined again on the hour in more spectacular fashion as Richarlison's bicycle kick converted the Ghanaian's delivery. Brennan Johnson was Tottenham's Europa League final hero with the only goal against Manchester United and he began the new season by racing clear to slot in the third. 'Perfect start or dream start. A good performance against a difficult opponent. I will just enjoy it and I hope the players, the club and the fans enjoy it because that is important,' Frank said. At Molineux, Pep Guardiola unveiled his City revamp as he bids to bounce back from last season's third-place finish. City's failure to defend the title after winning it for the previous four seasons has prompted a major overhaul from Guardiola. Despite Haaland's double, it was new signing Tijjani Reijnders who stole the show with a hand in all of City's first three goals. 'We knew he is a top signing for the coming years for City,' said Guardiola on Reijnders outstanding Premier League debut after a £46.5 million move from AC Milan. 'Of course we have changed after last season with many injuries and problems - fresh energy this season.' Reijnders stroked in his first City goal in between two predatory finishes from Haaland. Another City new boy Rayan Cherki, lured from Lyon in the summer, rounded off the scoring. For the past two seasons, all three promoted teams have gone down. Sunderland made the perfect start to attempting to buck that trend with a 3-0 victory over West Ham. Former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka is among pool of new signings attracted to the Stadium of Light. But it was three players key to their promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 2017 who scored. Eliezer Mayenda's looping header gave the Black Cats lift off on the hour mark. Centre-back Dan Ballard headed in the second before Wilson Isidor rounded off a huge win in stoppage time. Newcastle miss Isak Newcastle missed the wantaway Alexander Isak as they failed to find the breakthrough against 10-man Aston Villa in a 0-0 draw at Villa Park. The Magpies were the dominant side even before Ezri Konsa's red card for bringing down Antony Gordon 24 minutes from time. Isak had not been involved during Newcastle's pre-season as he appears determined to force through a move to Liverpool, who reportedly saw a £110 million ($149 million) offer for the Swedish striker rejected. The two clubs face off in their next league match at St. James' Park on August 25. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said he wants an end to the saga one way or another. 'From my perspective, you want a resolution quickly. It's taking away the focus of the players and the supporters,' said Howe 'We want to be united together. We'd like a resolution, but we're not in control of that.' Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz struck in the 96th minute to salvage a 1-1 draw at Brighton after Matt O'Riley's penalty put the Seagulls in front. Arsenal, top-flight runners-up for the last three seasons, are in action on Sunday when they travel to Manchester United. Champions Liverpool began their title defence with a 4-2 win against Bournemouth on Friday. — AFP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store