Ex-Terrier is key to Bale’s switch to Los Angeles
HUDDERSFIELD Town fans who have been following Gareth Bale’s search for a new club this summer may have pricked their ears up at one key name on Los Angeles FC’s side of the negotiations.
The Welshman’s nine-year spell with Real Madrid came to an end this summer after his contract expired, prompting a flurry of speculation about his future. Would he return to Tottenham, or was an unlikely move to the Championship with his hometown club Cardiff City on the table?
Ultimately, Bale plumped for Los Angeles FC - led by co-president and general manager John Thorrington, who joined the Terriers from Bayer Leverkusen in 2001 and departed two years later, going on to play for Grimsby Town, Chicago Fire, Vancouver Whitecaps and DC United.
Thorrington studied for an MBA after hanging up his boots and moved into the boardroom with LAFC as executive vicepresident of soccer operations in 2015, alongside taking on the role of general manager. He was promoted to co-president last year, maintaining his GM role.
He said of Bale’s move to California: “I’d love to get into specifics [of the length of Bale’s contract] but, as policy, I don’t.
“What I can tell you is that LAFC and Gareth are hoping that this is a long-term partnership and step for Gareth and his family.
“It was never about six months just for the World Cup. We were always talking about longer term than that. That was very clear from Gareth and his representative. Obviously we expect him to be a top, top player for us in this league, but we will do so sensibly.
“When Gareth is looking at what he needs to do, his priority will be at LAFC, we are absolutely sure of that, but we’re not naive to the fact that he, like some other players of ours, have a World Cup on the horizon.”