‘See you soon, Los Angeles’: Gareth Bale confirms move to MLS side LAFC

Gareth Bale on Saturday confirmed a move to MLS leaders Los Angeles FC, a rather sudden development in the 33-year-old’s transfer saga.

Hours after reports of his completed move to the MLS emerged, Bale took to Instagram to confirm the transfer himself, posting a video of himself in LAFC colours with the caption, “See you soon, Los Angeles.”

Bale, whose contract with Real Madrid ran out this summer, had been linked with a move to Cardiff City in his native Wales, but LAFC swooped in late to secure the Welshman’s signature.

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The 33-year-old has reportedly been offered an initial 12-month contract with the club, and the deal will be formalised in the coming days after Bale flies to Los Angeles.

Given Bale’s World Cup ambitions, a move the MLS makes sense. The football season in the US, unlike those in Europe, ends in October or early November, something that would give Bale ample time to focus on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The Welsh wing wizard played a season for Southampton before moving to Tottenham Hotspur, where he established himself as one of the finest upcoming wingers in world football. In his six seasons with Spurs, Bale scored 55 goals in 203 appearances, but failed to win any silverware.

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In 2013, Real Madrid bought Bale for a then-world record fee of £85.1 million (€100.8 million), marking the beginning of a career full marked by highs and lows.

In Madrid, Bale became a lethal goalscorer, netting 106 goals in 258 appearances. In his time with the club, the Welshman helped Los Blancos to three La Liga titles and five Champions League titles among numerous other trophies.

However, as the years went by, Bale fell out of favour and went progressively down the pecking order, before playing his second last season on loan at Spurs.