Bale: Moving to LAFC is the best decision for my career

says he joined

at the "right time" in his career and hopes to win more trophies during his time in

Major League Soccer

. Bale's contract with

ran out, so LAFC announced Monday that he had signed a one-year deal with the club, which he could extend until 2024.

As part of the deal, LAFC must give MLS team

Inter Miami

$75,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) for 2023 in exchange for the right to find Bale first. The Wales international was linked to several teams, including his old team Tottenham and his hometown club Cardiff City, but he chose to move to the United States.

Bale, 32 years old and wants to stay in shape before Wales'

World Cup 2022

campaign in November, thinks he made the right choice. He told the club's official website, "I am very excited about this move to LAFC." "This is the right time in my career and place for my family and me.

"I can't wait to start working with the team and get ready to win more trophies in Los Angeles." Bale played for Madrid for nine years, including a season on loan at Tottenham in 2020-21. During that time, he won 16 trophies. But after he fell out of favor, he only played in the league 21 times in his last two seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu, before and after the Spurs loan.

Bale has shown his talent with Wales over the past few years. He was vital to the team's wins over Austria and Ukraine in the World Cup qualifying play-offs. The player from the Southampton academy will help an LAFC team already in the lead for the Supporters' Shield. Head coach Steve Cherundolo is pleased with the addition. Cherundolo said, "There aren't many players in the world like Gareth Bale who can change the course of a game."

"He is dangerous in so many ways, and we think he will add to what we think is already a strong team as soon as he gets there. His knowledge of the game and experience playing in big games will be very helpful for our club."

John Thorrington, co-president and general manager of LAFC, said, "I'm thankful to Gareth's management team for making this happen. "It's clear that Gareth wants to keep winning trophies, and we're thrilled that he's decided to join LAFC and help us reach our goal of winning titles." Bale and another new player, Giorgio Chiellini, can play for LAFC for the first time on July 8 at El Trafico against the LA Galaxy.

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