Olivier Giroud Confirms Move To Lille And Looks Forward To Facing Paul Pogba In Ligue 1

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Olivier Giroud is thrilled about the chance to face his former France teammate Paul Pogba in Ligue 1. Giroud has agreed to join Lille as a free agent after leaving Los Angeles FC by mutual consent. During his year with LAFC, he scored five goals in 38 matches, falling short of his expected goals tally of 6.97. Despite this, he contributed to their U.S. Open Cup victory and reaching the Western Conference semifinals.

Giroud's last game for LAFC was a 1-0 loss against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The 38-year-old, who holds the record as France's top scorer, confirmed his upcoming move to Lille after the match. Lille finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season, narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot but maintaining a top-five finish for three consecutive seasons.

Giroud is eager to play in the Europa League again, a tournament he won with Chelsea in the 2018-19 season. He also looks forward to reuniting with Pogba, who recently joined Monaco. "I think French fans are happy that Paul Pogba and I are returning to Ligue 1," Giroud stated. "A few years ago, I would've told you coming back wasn't part of my plans."

Reflecting on his time in MLS, Giroud expressed some regret for not making a bigger impact but appreciated the experience. Now, he's ready for fresh challenges at Lille, which meets many of his personal and professional criteria. He aims to be a leader both on and off the field and sees playing in the Europa League as an exciting opportunity.

Giroud last played in France's top league during the 2011-12 season when he helped Montpellier secure an unexpected title with 21 goals in 37 games. This remains his most successful season in one of Europe's major leagues.

Scoring Achievements Across Europe

In Serie A with AC Milan, Giroud scored 15 goals in the 2023-24 season and had similar success in previous years with 13 goals in 2022-23 and 11 in 2021-22. While at Chelsea, he didn't reach double figures in Premier League goals over four seasons but did so consistently during his five full seasons at Arsenal.

Giroud's return to Ligue 1 marks an exciting chapter for both him and French football fans. His leadership qualities and experience will be valuable assets for Lille as they aim for success domestically and in European competitions.