Giorgio Chiellini signs for Los Angeles FC

FT Desk

12 Jun 2022 21:22 BST
3 min read

Juventus and Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini has completed his free transfer move to Los Angeles FC, according to multiple sources.

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The transfer is set to be officially confirmed by LAFC in the coming hours.

Chiellini opted for a final playing experience in the United States before retirement after terminating his Juventus contract.

The Los Angeles outfit are currently top of Major League Soccer’s Western Conference after 14 games of the current campaign.

In arrivo presto. 👀 pic.twitter.com/hIx1vE967L
— LAFC (@LAFC) June 12, 2022

The 37-year-old Chiellini had intended to play for one more season at Juventus but Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup prompted him to leave a year earlier than planned.

"We had these 10 magnificent years, it is up to the others to continue now," Chiellini said. "I did everything I could, I hope that I left something.

"It is my choice 100 percent, I am happy to leave at such a high level, because for many years I have said I didn't want to finish struggling and not being able to play at my level. I gave it my all, soon I will be the biggest Juventus fan from the outside. After so many years within this club, you cannot shake it off."

Chiellini will go down in history as one of the greatest players in Juventus’ history.

🤍🖤😢 pic.twitter.com/dIKT1KQgMp
— Giorgio Chiellini (@chiellini) June 12, 2022

He joined Juve in 2004 from Livorno and, after an initial season on loan at Fiorentina, soon developed into a key player for the club.

Chiellini made 561 appearances over 17 seasons for the Bianconeri, scoring 36 goals.

He won nine straight Scudetti and formed one of the all-time great defences – the BBC – alongside Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci, expertly guarded by Gianluigi Buffon in goal.

After Buffon left the club, Chiellini became Juventus captain and he will be remembered as a club icon and one who is likely to return as a director after his stint in LA.

Chiellini also played his last game for Italy earlier this month in a farewell game against Argentina at Wembley.

He won 117 caps for Italy in an 18-year international career and famously captained the Azzurri to Euro 2020 glory last year.