Olivier Giroud says he could retire at the end of the season | OneFootball

Olivier Giroud’s (39) current deal at Lille OSC expires at the end of the season, however, included in the deal is the option to extend by a further year. Speaking to L’Équipe, the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker revealed that a decision on whether or not to trigger that option will be taken closer to the end of the Ligue 1 campaign.

Giroud’s career in Europe looked to be over when he departed AC Milan for LAFC in the summer of 2024, at the same time as he announced his retirement from international football. However, his move to the MLS side didn’t go to plan, and whilst the Frenchman rejected any notion of “regrets”, he admitted that LAFC’s transitional style did not suit his game. “I couldn’t express myself as I wanted,” Giroud told L’Équipe.

He has started life at Lille well. Speaking earlier this season, France’s all-time top-scorer said that LOSC would “most certainly” be his final club. Retirement, therefore, is nearing, and it could even come as the end of this season.

“It could be one year plus another, but it could just be one, too. You can’t have regrets. You have to live in the moment and be ready to stop it all at some point. But 40 (which he will turn next September), is a number that speaks to me. But it will be a group decision, with my wife and my family. It is about being lucid. If I think that I can bring something and if the club are also satisfied with me, we will sit around a table and we’ll see with Olivier (Létang, Lille president),” said Giroud.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle