Olivier Giroud Eden Hazard
Chelsea legend Eden Hazard sent a special welcome message to Olivier Giroud after the French striker joined Lille from LAFC. The French striker has signed a one-year deal with Lille, marking his comeback to Ligue 1 after a 13-year absence. The 38-year-old parted ways with MLS club LAFC by mutual agreement just days ago.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Giroud is gearing up for what could be one final chapter in his illustrious career, back in the country where it all began. The move sees him don the red jersey of Lille.
FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-LILLE
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Giroud has collected major honours with top clubs across Europe, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and AC Milan. He’s also a World Cup winner with France and holds the record as the country’s all-time leading goal-scorer, with 57 goals in 137 appearances before retiring from international football last year.
WATCH THE CLIP
Among the first to welcome Giroud to his new club was Chelsea and Lille legend Hazard. The Belgian, who made his name at Lille before moving to Stamford Bridge in 2012, where he played with Giroud, sent a playful and heartfelt video message to his former team-mate. “Oh, old man! Look how beautiful is the Dogue! The jersey suits you well,” Hazard quipped in a friendly nod to Giroud’s new kit and age.
Giroud responded: “Red suits me well, the red. I like blue, but red suits me well. I saw your face, when I arrived, drawn on the Berlin Wall, that's class.”
Hazard responded with an emotional nod to his roots: “Bro, that's my club, you know it. You need to take care of LOSC now.”
On vous devait ce call entre nos deux Légendes ! ☝️Enjoy 🤩#Giroud #Hazard #Mercato pic.twitter.com/DYd5F9O4xs
DID YOU KNOW?
Hazard, meanwhile, remains a revered figure at Lille. He began his professional journey with the club in 2007 and quickly blossomed under then-manager Rudi Garcia. His contributions during the 2010-11 campaign were instrumental in Lille lifting their first Ligue 1 title in over 50 years, as well as a Coupe de France triumph. The club even honoured Hazard by naming a training pitch after him. Before his high-profile transfer to Chelsea, Hazard made 194 appearances for Lille, scoring 50 goals and registering 53 assists.
Lille's French midfielder Eden Hazard ce
WHAT NEXT FOR GIROUD?
Giroud last played in Ligue 1 during the 2011–12 season with Montpellier, where he led the club to an unexpected league title. That championship-winning campaign helped catapult him to international stardom and eventually to the Premier League. Now, at 38 and approaching 39, Giroud’s ambitions remain intact. He aims to make an impact at Lille, just as he did over a decade ago with Montpellier.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Gyokeres & Sesko Do I join them? Chelsenal Dr. Tomiyasu & Dr. Diaby One of the best pictures at the Club World Cup 2025.. Joao Pedro is officially a Chelsea player. One club's trash is another club's treasurePlease stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, thefootballarenaa, BleacherReportFootball)...
As reported by The Independant, Lyon have set a price of at least £51.5m (€60m) for 20-year-old Malick Fofana who is being targeted by several Premier League sides who feel that the youngster can bolster their attack. Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Nottingham Forest had agree a deal with Lyon earlier this week but are yet to convince the player of a move due to interest from o...
The value of the upcoming third Manchester United bid for Bryan Mbeumo has been revealed, and the club are optimistic the improved terms they'll put forward will satisfy Brentford, according to reports.Man Utd are desperate to sign Mbeumo in time for the start of pre-season training on July 7. That is just a few days away and the Red Devils will have no issues finalising personal terms with the le...
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing wantaway RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba - but will likely have to tussle for him.The Reds are ramping up their search for a centre-back after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35million.Lukeba, 22, has established a strong reputation over the past few seasons at Lyon and Leipzig and earned himself a senior France cap. But the 6...
Atletico prepare a major bid for Spurs' RomeroAtletico Madrid are planning a formal offer for Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero, according to AS. The Spanish club is expected to table a proposal worth €55 million upfront, with an additional €15 million tied to performance-based clauses.Diego Simeone is reportedly eager to bring the Argentina international to the Wanda Metro...
Barcelona make Marc Casado transfer decision amid Chelsea interestBarcelona have reportedly set their asking price for midfielder Marc Casado as Premier League side Chelsea and La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid circle.The 21-year-old could be set to leave Barcelona this summer as they seek to ease their ongoing issues with FFP and offer Nico Williams guarantees he could be registered.According to Spa...
FBL-GER-BUNDESLIGA-LEVERKUSEN-TEN HAGBayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes wants to use funds from Florian Wirtz’s mega sale to create a title-winning team.WHAT HAPPENED?Leverkusen want to use the £116 million ($158m) generated from Wirtz’s transfer to Liverpool to fund potential player recruitment and build a side that would fight for major accolades and challenge Bunde...
Athletic Club v Real Valladolid CF - La Liga EA SportsBayern Munich are looking to pounce on the opportunity to lure Nico Williams to Bundesliga, amid lack of registration guarantees from Barcelona.WHAT HAPPENED?According to Sky Sports of Germany, Bayern Munich are intensifying their pursuit of Nico Williams, aiming to capitalise on the winger’s hesitation over a move to Barcelona. The Bavar...
It's semifinal time in the Concacaf Gold Cup for the host country!Enjoy the play-by-play from Wednesday's game: United States versus Guatemala at Energizer Park in St. Louis.Jump to: Gold Cup home page | Liveblog...
Gabriel Martinelli Rodrygo Anthony Gordon GFXArsenal are actively exploring their options to bolster the attacking unit ahead of the upcoming season, with high-profile names such as Rodrygo and Anthony Gordon emerging as potential recruits. The Gunners’ pursuit of reinforcements, however, is intrinsically linked to the future of Gabriel Martinelli.WHAT HAPPENED?According to The Athletic's Da...
- 1 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 2 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 5 Chelsea transfer at 'final stages'
- 6 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 7 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 8 Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave for
- 9 Arsenal interested in signing Cristhian Mosquera
- 10 Frustrated Arsenal turn to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike