Home » Sport » LAFC ‘perfect for me’ – Chiellini – Reuters

LAFC ‘perfect for me’ – Chiellini – Reuters

Los Angeles (AFP) – Italian veteran and Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini said on Wednesday he was looking forward to bringing a high standard of play and wealth of experience to Los Angeles FC as they chase the crown of Major League Soccer.

“I am fully convinced that this club is perfect for me,” Chiellini said during his first official press conference for LAFC, showing off his new No. 14 jersey.

LAFC is yet to win a major honor since joining MLS as an expansion team in 2018.

They currently lead the league with 33 points from 16 matches and are clearly doing everything they can to ensure they stay on top.

Since announcing the Chiellini acquisition two weeks ago, the club have confirmed the imminent arrival of Wales captain Gareth Bale on a 12-month contract with options until 2024.

Meanwhile, longtime franchise cornerstone Carlos Vela has agreed to an extension through the 2023 season.

Chiellini, 37, said he believed he had a lot to contribute to the young team and that his homework had convinced him he would find worthy occupation in MLS.

“I spoke with Andrea (Pirlo) and Alessandro Nesta and they still speak very well about this league,” he said. “Surely there are differences.

“It’s different football from the Italian (league) but each team has its own style.

“This team is perfect for me because it’s full of young players and they can help me too,” he said. “It’s impossible for me to have the same physical characteristics as 10 years ago, but I can bring something to them. We need to create a good mix of experience and enthusiasm to become a winning group.

Chiellini said he had seen MLS develop for years while vacationing in the United States.

“I don’t know what will happen in the next few months, but I’m sure it will be something I will remember for the rest of my life,” he said. “Los Angeles is a fantastic city in which I am very curious to live.”

Chiellini left Juve at the end of last season after 18 years at the club, during which he won nine league titles and four Italian Cups, and reached the Champions League final twice.

He left international football earlier this month after being capped 117 times for his country and winning Euro 2020 last summer.

The centre-back was hoping to feature at another World Cup, but Italy missed out on the 2022 tournament in Qatar, prompting his departure.

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