Wales captain Gareth Bale will join Los Angeles FC on a 12-month contract that could be extended until 2024, the MLS side have confirmed.
Los Angeles confirmed Bale's arrival on Monday evening with a series of clips showing his finest moments at Real Madrid, where his contract is about to expire in the culmination of his nine-year spell with the LaLiga champions.
In a statement, LAFC said:
LAFC announced today that the Club has signed forward Gareth Bale to a 12-month contract using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) with options through 2024. Bale will occupy an international roster slot upon the receipt of his P1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). LAFC acquired the discovery priority to Bale from Inter Miami CF in exchange for $75,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM).
A five-time UEFA Champions League winner, Bale joins LAFC following a successful nine-year career with LaLiga’s Real Madrid that saw him win an unprecedented 19 trophies since 2013. A goal-scorer in the 2014 and 2018 Champions League Final, Bale was named the Best Player of the 2018 Champions League and won the Golden Ball at the 2018 Club World Cup.
“Gareth is one of the most dynamic and exciting players of his generation,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington. “Adding a player who brings his talent and experience at the highest levels is an incredible opportunity to improve our Club. I am grateful to Gareth’s management team who helped make this happen. It is clear that 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, is considered one of the greatest Welsh players of all time and has made 105 appearances for Wales since 2006, scoring 28 goals and registering 22 assists. Bale was instrumental in leading Wales to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, securing their first appearance in the tournament in 64 years. He also helped lead Wales into the Round of 16 of the UEFA 2020 European Championship.