(CNN) — Major League Soccer (MLS) is ready to welcome another world-renowned soccer star after Wales captain Gareth Bale has agreed a one-year deal with Los Angeles FC, the club confirmed to CNN on Saturday. .
The 32-year-old joins after the end of a brilliant spell with Real Madrid this summer. He will not sign as a designated player and subsequently his salary will count towards the LAFC cap.
Bale confirmed the change on social media on Saturday, posting a video of himself wearing an LAFC jersey and pointing to his trademark heart celebration.
“See you soon, Los Angeles,” added the publications in Twitter e Instagram.
Bale signed for Madrid for a world-record fee in 2013, winning five Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey while fitting into a feared attacking trident alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Bale celebrates after scoring in the Spanish King’s Cup final against Barcelona in 2014.
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It was the winger’s performances at English club Tottenham Hotspur that caught Los Blancos’ attention, with Bale crowned Premier League Player of the Season in 2013 and twice winning the PFA Player of the Year award at the North London.
The six-time Welsh Footballer of the Year winner arrives in Los Angeles after helping guide his country to its first FIFA World Cup final in 64 years earlier this month. Bale’s deflected free kick secured a 1-0 win over Ukraine in the delayed qualifier, sealing Wales’ ticket to Qatar in November.
Bale celebrates scoring Real Madrid’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool in 2018.
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Bale’s arrival marks LAFC’s second high-profile signing of the summer, after veteran Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini confirmed his move to the franchise earlier this month.
Chiellini made his name as one of the best centre-backs in the game during a decorated 18-year spell with Juventus, lifting nine Serie A titles and five Coppa Italia trophies. The 37-year-old captained Italy to victory at EURO 2020 but announced his retirement from the national team in March following his country’s surprise World Cup qualifier elimination by North Macedonia.
Italy coach Roberto Mancini and captain Chiellini celebrate with the Euro 2020 trophy.
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Both Bale and Chiellini will officially join on July 7 when the secondary transfer window opens and could debut the following day when LAFC take on cross-town rivals LA Galaxy.
The pair’s arrival continues the trend of some of the biggest names in the game joining MLS in the later years of their careers.
David Beckham’s historic signing for the Galaxy in 2007 paved the way for a number of big-name stars to follow suit, including Premier League icons Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba.
Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic enjoyed a prolific spell with the Galaxy in 2018 before returning to former club AC Milan, the team for which 2007 Ballon d’Or winner Kaká and legendary Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo also played before. moving to MLS later in their careers.
Ibrahimovic dazzled during his time with the Galaxy.
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Chiellini could face his former international teammate Lorenzo Insigne this season, as the 31-year-old winger joins Toronto FC after a 12-year spell at Italian club Napoli.
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