Wales captain Gareth Bale is moving to Los Angeles FC following his departure from Real Madrid.
Bale confirmed his plans to join LAFC in a post on Twitter following widespread reports earlier Saturday about the move.
Wales captain Gareth Bale confirmed his move to Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC on Saturday following his departure from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
See you soon, Los Angeles. @LAFC @LAFC3252 pic.twitter.com/GVP8WVWLPe
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) June 25, 2022
The move, first reported by MLSSoccer.com’s Tom Bogert, will not require LAFC to use up a Designated Player spot.
The Los Angeles Times, citing a Major League Soccer source with knowledge of the deal, said the 32-year-old star will be eligible to play for LAFC when the MLS summer transfer window opens on July 7.
ESPN, meanwhile, reported that Bale will fly to Los Angeles at the end of next week to sign a deal.
The reports differ on the length of the agreements. MLSSoccer.com reported the agreement will extend to June 30, 2023. ESPN reported that the contract runs to the end of the 2022 season, with an option for an additional year.
Bale was once the world’s most expensive player and has spent the last eight seasons with Real Madrid, winning three domestic championships and five Champions League titles.
The Welshman has scored 139 goals in his club career with 39 goals in 106 internationals for Wales.
Bale played a pivotal role in helping Wales qualify for this year’s World Cup, where it will face the United States, England and Iran in the first round in Qatar. It marks the first time Wales have qualifed for the tournament since the 1958 finals.
Bale’s signing comes as LAFC bid to build on a strong start to the MLS season. It leads the Western Conference standings with 30 points after 15 games.
Bale will be the second high-profile international signing the club has made in recent weeks. Former Juventus and Italy international Giorgio Chiellini joined the club earlier this month.
News of Bale’s decision to head to Major League Soccer comes just days after reports in Britain indicated he was in talks with Cardiff over a possible move. His former club, Tottenham, and Newcastle were also mooted as possible destinations.
rcw/nr
© Agence France-Presse
This is Stupid MLS… We going to let Our Opponent get “In-Shape” in “Our” League, to Beat our USA Team.!?!?!?….
Remember what Bale says;( I paraphrase)
“Wales, Golf, LAFC”
I Doubt he even shows up until September, and then hardly plays…
What a “Sucker” Job he Pulled on LAFC…
Fool me Once, Shame on Me…
Fool me Twice, Shame on YOU.!!!
Wow!
Happy to hear Bale will be in the MLS. He’s no Zlatan, but we need some quality in this league, now maybe, perhaps, I will watch my first MLS game since Zlatan left. We don’t need to bring in defenders but attackers to this league, but since Chielline is here I HOPE HE WILL TEACH OUR AMERICAN DEFENDERS A THING OR TWO….
Same old, same old, ever since the MLS beginnings with Valderrama, but he was a treat to watch. MLS imports aging or unwanted European stars and they get a decent payday for whatever they do. Chiellini is a gamer, so he’ll show up and not disappoint. Bale? Not so sure. Shaqiri has surely not been the answer for the Chicago, after being given up on by Liverpool (fitness?) and then Lyon after 6 months. Reportedly, Lyon netted 500000 Euros, taking him in and then moving him on.
✓✓
Lol. Bales is well past it. Guess he will have easier acees to get some rounds in at Pebble Beach when LAFC play San Jose.
“El Golfico”.!!!!