The all-time top scorer for the French national team is returning to domestic football, which he left in 2012 after winning a sensational title with Montpellier, now a second-division club. Although he had a contract with MLS side Los Angeles until the end of the year, with a guaranteed 1,500,000 euros, the experienced Frenchman no longer wanted to stay in the U.S. He terminated his contract and joined a top-flight club from northern France as a free agent.On ne pouvait rien vous cacher, alors on a décidé de tout vous montrer, en plein coeur de Lille 📸𝑶𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒅 𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒗𝒐𝒕𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒗𝒆𝒂𝒖 𝑫𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lGODlwJGH2— LOSC (@losclive) July 1, 2025 In Lille, he will replace leading scorer Jonathan David, whose contract has expired and who is on the verge of a move to Juventus. Lille also lost their second striker, as Chuba Akpom’s loan from Ajax came to an end, so they were in urgent need of a proven goalscorer. Last June, they surprised the football world in a similar fashion by bringing in 2018 World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti, and now they’ve done it again with Giroud, who was also a starter in France’s title-winning team in Russia.LA boss disappointed with Giroud’s performance in the USABefore Montpellier, the seasoned striker also played in France for Tours, Istres, and Grenoble, and abroad for Arsenal, Chelsea, and Milan.“I’m very happy and excited to be back in France, home. When Olivier Létang called me to offer me this challenge, it was crystal clear to me. It made perfect sense to return to Ligue 1 thirteen years after leaving it. I’ve always considered LOSC a top French club. I know a lot of former Lille players, whether it’s Eden, Yo Cabaye, Debuch’, Rio, Ben’ Pavard… They all have great memories of the club, with good values. The team had a great season last season and will be playing in the Europa League. It’s a young and talented group, which needs experienced players like me. So I’ll also be there in that role” said the Frenchman after signing the contract.##NAJAVA_MECA_9002123##
