The official confirmation has arrived, Olivier Giroud is the new AC Milan member.The 34-year-old striker left Chelsea and signed a two-year contract with the Rossoneri, worth a little over 4 million USD per season (plus add-ons). London Blues earned 1.2 million USD in compensation, and they could get the same amount additionally through bonuses. The Frenchman took the number 9 uniform at his new club.The club from San Siro were interested in the former Montpellier and Arsenal footballer last season already.🔴⚫ @_OlivierGiroud_ et la vie en rouge et noir 🔴⚫ #NewPlayerUnlocked #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/qrAJmLFbPy— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 17, 2021 Giroud was considered a back-up striker at Stamford Bridge, since the German national team player Timo Werner arrived in London. Frank Lampard used Giroud as a ‘joker’, even before he had a former Leipzig football player at his disposal, and with the arrival of Thomas Tuchel, the role of the Frenchman was further reduced.However, despite the fact that it became clear that the experienced center forward was being taken more seriously at Bridge, Chelsea used the option to extend his contract with Giroud, so only a few months ago the expiration of his deal with the English club was postponed for the summer of 2022.The Rossoneri hoped that they could bring Giroud to their ranks as a free agent, but Chelsea ruined such a plan. Regardless, Milan remained persistent and in the end found a common language with the management of the Premier League club, which agreed to part with Giroud for a symbolic amount after two and a half years.The club from San Siro eventually set aside 1.2 million USD for his services, and depending on whether Stefano Pioli’s team will qualify for the Champions League and how much the 34-year-old Frenchman will contribute to achieving that goal, Blues could earn another 1.2 million USD.Giroud says a farewell to Chelsea fans amid his AC Milan arrivalOlivier Giroud made his name with Montpellier and with them Giroud became the champion of France in 2011/12 season – he one of the most deserving for the historical success of the club. Such achievement recommended him to Arsene Wenger, who took him to Arsenal for 14.6 million USD. He spent six and a half years in north London, then moved to the neighborhood, and for the next two and a half years played for Chelsea.In addition to the title in Ligue 1, he has three trophies in the FA Cup with Arsenal, one with Chelsea, and only a few months ago he managed to win the Champions League with the Blues, with whom he won the Europa League in the first season at Stamford Bridge.Giroud made 110 appearances for the French national team, and with 46 goals scored, he is the second best scorer in the history of Les Tricolores.
