Didier Deschamps has confirmed that striker Olivier Giroud will leave AC Milan once the season is over to join Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer.
It has been reported for weeks now by various sources that Giroud has decided to try a new adventure over in the United States once his current contract ends, which will bring to a close his three-season association with Milan.
He arrived in the summer of 2021 as a back-up to Zlatan Ibrahimovic but quickly found himself being the starting striker due to the Swede’s injury problems, delivering many big goals en route to the Scudetto in 2021-22 and beyond that.
Deschamps spoke about Giroud during an interview with AFP and he insisted that the 37-year-old’s decision to make the move to Los Angeles will not have any impact on his selection for the upcoming European Championships in Germany.
“Olivier has made a sporting choice and a life choice. Despite his age, he still has a burning fire within him. Maybe it’s also an opportunity to meet up with Hugo (Lloris) and his family again,” he said (via Football Italia).
“He wants to continue his career, but with slightly fewer demands than in Europe. But that doesn’t change my choice, given that he will stay with Milan until the end of the season.
“Olivier has experience, an incredible background, but there will be competition for him, just like with everybody else. It’s not the transfer that will gain or lose him a place in the squad in my eyes.”
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