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World Cup winner Olivier Giroud addressed the media on Thursday for his first official appearance as a Los Angeles FC player.
Here is everything the Frenchman had to say on on switching to MLS, the state of the league, influential teammates and more.
On LAFC
“I’m delighted to be here in LA … very excited knowing that we will probably spend the next two and a half years in Los Angeles. A great club, a young club…
“I look forward to being on the pitch with the boys, bringing my experience, my goals and my [aim] to always be a competitor.”
On switching to MLS
“It was a bit crazy, if I can say, because my dream was one day to play in MLS…
“It’s a bit funny, in 2020, I was close to signing for Inter Milan. The destiny was that I signed for AC Milan a year later.
“Before that, I met with LA Galaxy [but] I told them it’s not the right time for me to leave Europe … [now] to join LAFC is destiny.
“I’ve seen the improvement of the league growing up. In 10 years, I think [its] reached a good level … not saying it was low before, but now it’s competitive as of late.
“That’s why I think it was the right moment for me to discover a new league.
“Coming here to LA, living an American dream, a new environment, a new league, a new life … every day is a blessing here.”
On the influence of Lloris and Ibrahimović
“The most incredible thing is that I will play with my friend, who I played on the national team for 11 years … I’m very pleased that I have the opportunity to play with Hugo.
“We have the same way of thinking, we share the same values. When he told me he was very happy in LA it was obviously significant.
“I also spoke to Zlatan Ibrahimović …. he told me I will enjoy a league of strikers because the teams, they don’t play to keep the results or defend. They play to score goals for passionate fans.”
On watching LAFC
“I’ve seen a few highlights, we are a team who create a lot of chances to score, which is nice for a striker. We’re solid at the back, Hugo is a big plus for the team.
“I know obviously there’s a strong team in the East conference with Miami, but I know a lot of teams are competitive. We are second in the table but have games in hand. The target is to finish at the top.”
On looming Griezmann to MLS
“Antoine Griezmann was a bit jealous when the news broke … I told him, ‘Don’t worry we will meet each other in a few years.’
“I don’t know where we are with the club, but I sent him a text straight away when he was linked with the club. He told me ‘Let’s see.’
“I know he loves the US, basketball, baseball and soccer. One day or another, he will come here for sure.”
On pressure as an international player
“When you sign as an international player in MLS, obviously there are expectations but I had to deal with it in my career. I did it, I like it. I will carry on to give my best to the team to reach our target.
“The pressure is on all the teams, we’re not the only team to sign European players or international players.
“We know what we can achieve, and if we [move] in the same direction, I think we can [achieve] nice things.”