UPDATE (June 27, 1:30 pm ET) – It's official: Gareth Bale has joined LAFC as a free agent after leaving Real Madrid, the club announced Monday.
Bale has signed a 12-month contract through 2023 using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), with options through 2024. To acquire Bale, LAFC sent Inter Miami CF $75,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM) for the discovery priority to the superstar.
“Gareth is one of the most dynamic and exciting attacking players of his generation,” LAFC co-president & general manager John Thorrington said in a release. “Adding a player who brings the talent and experience at the highest levels that Gareth does is an incredible opportunity to continue to improve our club. Gareth is highly motivated to continue to win trophies and we are elated that he has made the choice to join LAFC and help lead us in our ultimate goal of winning championships.”
Bale, 32, recently led Wales to the Qatar 2022 World Cup. He's coming off a nine-year, trophy-filled career at Real Madrid after becoming one of the world's top attacking players at Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton.
“I am extremely excited for this move to LAFC,” Bale said. “This is the right place for me and my family and the right time in my career, and I cannot wait to get started working with the team and getting ready to win more trophies in Los Angeles.”
Bale has made 105 appearances for Wales since 2006, scoring 28 goals and registering 22 assists. He's won five UEFA Champions League trophies and won the Wales Footballer of the Year Award six times.
“Bringing a player and a person of Gareth’s caliber to LAFC is a historic moment for Los Angeles, MLS and the game in the United States,” said LAFC lead managing owner Larry Berg. “On behalf of the entire LAFC community, I am honored to welcome Gareth, his wife Emma and their children to L.A., and I am confident they will fall in love with our incredible city.”
UPDATE (June 25, 6:19 pm ET) – Gareth Bale's move from Real Madrid to LAFC seems all but complete, as the Wales national team forward posted a video Saturday evening wearing the club's hat and jersey.
Bale's caption on Twitter read: "See you soon, Los Angeles." He also tagged LAFC's account.
This has become a trademark signing reveal for the Black & Gold since their 2018 expansion season. Nearly two weeks ago, Italy national team defender Giorgio Chiellini posted a similar video when announcing his arrival to the Los Angeles club upon leaving Juventus.
Bale is poised to join on a Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) deal, per a source. That would leave LAFC with an open Designated Player spot this summer after Chiellini also signed via a TAM deal.
ORIGINAL (June 25, 10:49 am ET) – LAFC are finalizing a deal to sign former Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale, sources tell MLSsoccer.com.
Bale is a free agent after his contract with Real Madrid expires this summer. One source indicates the deal will not require a Designated Player spot, leaving LAFC with one DP spot open still. The deal will run for 12 months, through June 2023.
Bale is among the most decorated players of his generation in Europe, making his name at Tottenham before moving to Real Madrid in 2013. During his time in Spain, he won five Champions Leagues, four Club World Cups, three La Liga titles and three Spanish Cups.
With more than 100 caps and 38 goals, Bale just led Wales to their first World Cup in half a century. At Qatar 2022, Wales will face the United States to begin Group B play in November.
Bale, who turns 33 next month, had 106 goals and 67 assists in 258 appearances with Real Madrid. With Tottenham, he had 72 goals and 60 assists in 237 games.
LAFC recently signed Italian legend Giorgio Chiellini as well.
The club's atop the Supporters’ Shield table with 30 points after 15 games, with Bale and Chiellini still to join once the MLS Secondary Transfer Window opens on July 7.
Bale and Chiellini would be eligible to debut against the LA Galaxy on July 8, potentially adding even more star power to El Trafico.
