Olivier Giroud is set to make his return to French football for the first time since 2012 after signing a one-year deal with Ligue 1 club Lille, the 38-year-old announced on Tuesday.
The France all-time leading goalscorer recently parted ways with Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer.
Giroud’s last stint in the French top division was with Montpellier, where he helped secure the 2011-12 Ligue 1 title before moving to Arsenal.
“I’m very happy and excited to be back in France — home,” Giroud said. “Returning to Ligue 1 after 13 years feels like the right step. Lille has always been one of the top clubs in France.
“They have a young and talented squad that needs experienced players like myself. I’ll be contributing both on and off the pitch.”
Giroud enjoyed six seasons at Arsenal, netting over 100 goals, before joining Chelsea, where he was part of the team that won the 2021 Champions League.
He then spent three years at AC Milan, winning the Serie A title in 2022, prior to his move to the United States.
The striker retired from international football last year with a record 57 goals in 137 caps for France and was a member of the 2018 World Cup-winning squad.
