By Paul Jones
Gareth Bale has told Los Angeles FC he will see them soon in a message posted as it was announced the Wales captain is joining the Major League Soccer club.
After weeks of speculation – that included the always seemingly unlikely idea that he might move from Real Madrid to play in the Championship for Cardiff City – Bale has opted to play in the United States as he prepares to lead Wales into the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
The social media video appears to even have been cheekily filmed at the Bluebirds’ training ground at the Vale of Glamorgan complex.
The five-time Champions League winner is soon to be a free agent and is looking for a new club ahead of playing for Wales at the World Cup , which starts in November.
Bale, 32, had been linked with a move to hometown club Cardiff following the end of a nine-year stay at the Bernabéu, but will now continue his career with a switch to the United States.
See you soon, Los Angeles. 👊 @LAFC @LAFC3252 pic.twitter.com/GVP8WVWLPe
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) June 25, 2022
The Wales captain confirmed his move to LAFC, currently top of Major League Soccer’s Western Conference, via his official Twitter account.
Bale wrote: “See you soon, Los Angeles. @LAFC ” with a video of him in a club shirt and cap.
The forward is thought to have agreed an initial one-year deal, which includes the option of an 18-month contract extension and will see him join former Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini as part of the LAFC squad.
Bale and Chiellini should complete their moves to MLS when the competition’s ‘Secondary Transfer Window’ opens on July 7, so would be cleared to make a debut against the LA Galaxy on July 9 after the USA transfer window officially opens.
Last week, Bale had excited Cardiff fans by visiting the Sky Bet Championship club’s Vale of Glamorgan base on their first day of pre-season training.
Wales captain Bale had fuelled speculation he might prefer being closer to home following comments that the standard of football he played before the World Cup should not prove a decisive factor in any move.
▪️ Top of Supporters’ Shield standings
▪️ Sign Giorgio Chiellini
▪️ Sign Gareth Bale
▪️ Re-sign Carlos VelaLife is good for LAFC 😎 pic.twitter.com/46FVtxTUUY
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 25, 2022
It is understood Bale – reportedly having earned around £600,000 per week at Real Madrid – had several options on the table, with former club Tottenham and big-spending Newcastle also suggested as potential destinations.
The former Tottenham star should make his debut against David Beckham’s former club LA Galaxy on July 9 after the USA transfer window officially opens.
Crucially for Bale, the MLS season runs until November, a fortnight before Wales’ first World Cup finals campaign since 1958, begins in Qatar.
Though his current deal in LA takes him up to June 2023 when next year’s MLS season will be only halfway through, Bale has an option to continue for 18 months beyond that should his family settle and he is enjoying his football.`
Speaking while on recent international duty with Wales, Bale said: “I don’t really know if the standard makes too much of a difference. A football game is a football game.
Gareth Bale’s reported year-long MLS deal at LAFC with option to extend for further 18 months good news for Wales if not Cardiff. Suggests has Euro 2024 on his mind 🏴
— Phil Blanche (@philblanche) June 25, 2022
“I feel like I’ll never really lose my quality on the ball. I guess it’s a conversation to be had.
“I need time to think what’s the best move for me, my family, my kids, and hopefully we’ll sort that over the summer. I have options.”
Wales’ first match in Qatar is against USA on November 22.
