Giorgio Chiellini is ready to start his new adventure in America, signing an 18-month deal for MLS side Los Angeles FC.
The 37-year-old Italian centre back decided to leave Juventus following Italy’s failure to qualify for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, taking a chance on a new adventure rather than ending his career in Turin. He started 16 Serie A matches this campaign, being a regular feature in Massimiliano Allegri’s side.
Chiellini is being signed to add an experienced and proven winner to the LAFC squad, giving them a point of reference in the dressing room and a figure to look up to. He’ll also be an important defensive reinforcement for the American side.
The Italian veteran could make his debut for LAFC in their next game after the transfer window opens on July 7, against LA Galaxy. If not that game, he could appear in the following match against Nashville on July 17.
LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington underlined why the American side signed Chiellini, pointing to his experience and mindset.
“It’s about winning and this guy has won at the highest level. He’s one of a kind. In my career playing and since I’ve never met a player like him. A person like him.
“And that came across in five, 10 minutes of my first meeting with him. I went in with very high expectations of what kind of man he would be, and he somehow exceeded lofty expectations.
“There are these rare players like Giorgio who have won, who have been captain, who everyone speaks to in a certain regard, and when the opportunity came to sign him in a way that we could afford economically and made sense for our business and what the team needed on the field, it was a no-brainer.”