Los Angeles FC signs Italian defender Chiellini
LOS ANGELES — Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini has signed with Los Angeles FC after a 17-year career at Juventus.
The Major League Soccer club announced its deal Monday for the 37-year-old Chiellini, who is committed through the 2023 season.
Chiellini confirmed his long-reported move with two posts on Twitter. He will be formally introduced in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
“I felt very strongly about this new chapter in my career and I’m grateful to (at)LAFC for this opportunity,” Chiellini wrote. “I’m thankful for all my years with Juventus and I’m looking forward to winning many more trophies in Los Angeles.”
Chiellini had been at Juventus since 2005, winning nine Serie A titles and five Coppa Italia crowns. He formally left the Turin club last month, and he also played his final match June 1 for the Italian national team, which failed to qualify for the World Cup.
LAFC has been in contact with Chiellini’s twin brother, Claudio, about a potential move since last year, general manager John Thorrington said. The talks picked up after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup in March, with LAFC moving aggressively to land the veteran center back with a reputation for sturdy physical play and leadership as Juve’s captain.
“When you have the opportunity to get someone who does what he does, and when we have 100 percent confidence that he’s going to improve every player every day he’s here, it became a no-brainer,” Thorrington told The Associated
Press. “His playing record speaks for itself.”
LAFC is on top of the overall MLS standings at 9-3-2 coming out of the international break. Coach Steve Cherundolo’s club leads the league in scoring and is also one of the best defensive clubs, with Jesus Murillo and Mamadou Fall playing most of the minutes at center back while Eddie Segura was out with
an injury.
Unlike some MLS clubs, LAFC hasn’t signed many veteran players deep in the second half of their careers since beginning play as an expansion club in 2018. Instead, LAFC has frequently relied on saleable young players around former MLS MVP striker Carlos Vela, who is expected to announce a contract extension soon.