French superstar Olivier Giroud, who is now starting to get older, signs a one-year contract for the “last dance” in Lille.
Olivier Giroud has signed a new one-year contract with Lille – and all indications are that this will be his very last season as a professional footballer.
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The legendary French striker, who has played for Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan, returned to France last summer after a stint at Los Angeles FC. Then he signed for Lille – the club he had never played for before, despite being French.
And what a homecoming it was to be.
The road back to France
Giroud started his career at Grenoble and Tours, but it was in Montpellier that he really broke through. In the 2011/12 season, he led the team to a historic Ligue 1 title – the club’s first and only ever league title. He was the top scorer in the league that season, which earned him the move to Arsenal and the Premier League.
This was followed by stints at Chelsea (where he won the Champions League in 2021), AC Milan (where he won Serie A in 2022) and finally Los Angeles FC. But all the time he has been associated with French football – and the homesickness eventually became too strong.
In July last year, 13 years after he left Ligue 1, he returned. This time to Lille.
The season that changed everything
Giroud was immediately on his way. With 11 goals in all competitions – seven of them in Ligue 1 – he was instrumental in Lille taking third place in the league and securing direct Champions League qualification.
Not only a striker, but a leader. Someone who lifted the team in the decisive moments. Lille, a club known for developing talents such as Eden Hazard and Victor Osimhen, now had a 39-year-old as their big weapon. And it worked.
Therefore, it was almost obvious that he would stay.
“I feel at home”
After extending his contract until the end of the 2026/27 season, Giroud did not hide his joy.
“I am very happy to continue this adventure here,” he told the club’s official website.
“When I came here a year ago, nothing was completely planned. But I’ve found that I’m very happy here. I feel at home.
He speaks warmly of the reception in northern France:
“I didn’t know about the warmth of the people in this region at all. Their values and the way they welcome you – after just a few weeks, I felt like I was part of the family. The integration happened quite naturally. It’s pure joy.
Champions League as a driving force
Giroud emphasizes that the Champions League game was a decisive factor in his decision to extend.
“The Champions League is really the highlight for any player in Europe. After a successful season of direct qualification, it was important for me to extend my stay. To experience that competition again.
He continues:
“I feel good. I flourish in a healthy environment, and I can still contribute. To hear that anthem again, to connect with the fans, to bring joy, to relive the great European nights… It’s so appealing.
New coach – new time
Lille have also hired a new coach: Davide Ancelotti, son of the legendary Carlo Ancelotti. Girroud is looking forward to the collaboration.
“I don’t know him personally, but the fact that he is a young coach is excellent. He has other ideas. A new chapter begins, and I am convinced that he has a lot to offer the club.
“This will most likely be my last season”
Giroud turns 40 in September. When asked about the goals for the coming season, he answers:
“To do better than this year. To be as efficient as possible – playing time to the goal.
Then comes the honest admission:
“I don’t like to look too far ahead. But this will most likely be my last season. The last dance, as they say.
One last dance. With Lille. In the Champions League. In front of his own people.
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We are looking forward to it.
