Gareth Bale moves to Major League Soccer and joins Los Angeles FC. A return to his Welsh homeland has thus fallen through.
There had been talk recently that Welshman Bale, whose Real Madrid contract expires this summer, could end up at second division side Cardiff City – with negotiations confirmed by his agents to the BBC. But nothing came of a return to his homeland. The 32-year-old, who has won five Champions Leagues with the Royals, among others, is moving to Major League Soccer.
Bale made the announcement himself on Twitter on Sunday night: The attacker will now play for Los Angeles FC in California. There he will reportedly receive a one-year contract with an option to extend it.
Game practice for the World Cup
Welsh national team captain Bale, who shot his country to the Winter World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year, arrives in MLS on a free transfer, where he is now also likely to get much-needed game time to prepare for the World Cup (21 November to 18 December).
Bale is not the first big name to join Los Angeles FC this summer, with Italy’s European champion Giorgio Chiellini (37) having previously taken the same route. LAFC is coached by former Bundesliga professional Steven Cherundolo (370 games for Hannover 96), and the 43-year-old currently leads the Western Conference table with his team.
