Gareth Bale agrees to join MLS side Los Angeles FC
Gareth Bale has agreed to join MLS side Los Angeles FC on an initial year-long contract, The Athletic understands.
He has an option to extend his stay in California for a further 18 months, and will join former Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini at the club.
The Wales star, 32, has been without a club since his contract expired at Real Madrid this summer. He leaves with a record of 106 goals in 256 appearances, having won three La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey and five Champions Leagues. Bale scored in the 2014 Champions League final as they secured ‘La Decima’ — their 10th European Cup.
However, ahead of Wales’ return to the World Cup after 64 years this summer, he has chosen to join LAFC in the MLS.
It is understood that Bale had numerous clubs vying for his services.
Last season, LAFC finished 9th in the Western Conference, ending outside the play-offs.
However, Steve Cherundolo’s side have strengthened this summer by also signing Chiellini, who joins after the expiry of his contract at Juventus.
They currently lead their conference.
After making just just seven appearances for Real in all competitions last season, Bale had stressed that playing time was pivotal in the run-up to the winter tournament in Qatar.
“I just want to be playing going into the World Cup to be as fit as I can,” he said in June. “Once I get back into playing regular football, my body will get more robust and a bit better.
“It’s very difficult when you’re in and out of a team to get a rhythm in terms of your fitness and health. Any player will tell you, playing week-in week-out, your body becomes more robust, you get used to it and you get fitter by doing that. I just need to play games and I’ll be good to go.”
Wales manager Rob Page had said that Bale needed to find a club sympathetic to his requirements ahead of the World Cup.
“That is going to be his difficulty, finding someone that will manage him,” Page said.
“He has to take that responsibility himself and that will determine whether he plays a lot of football because if he’s not able to train like that through the week the manager at the respective club might not want to select him on the weekend. He understands what he needs to do.”
Wales face England, the USA and Iran in Group B at the 2022 World Cup and will start their campaign against the States on November 21.
