Gareth Bale agrees to join American club after leaving Real Madrid

Gareth Bale has agreed to terms with Los Angeles FC on a one-year contract.

The forward, who became a free agent after leaving Real Madrid this summer, had other options but chose to relocate to California and the MLS.

Bale is working hard to stay in shape for Wales’ appearance in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They qualified last month after defeating Ukraine in the World Cup play-off final in Cardiff, with Bale’s free-kick nodded home by Andriy Yarmolenko in the game’s lone goal.

According to Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth said: “If we go back to just before that famous afternoon when Wales beat Ukraine in the World Cup Qualifiers, there was all sorts of speculation about Gareth Bale’s future. If Wales had failed to qualify for the World Cup, there was even talk that Bale would retire from football altogether.

“Then, when he did help Wales qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 64 years, there was even talk that he could join his hometown club, the club he supported as a boy in Cardiff City.

“He held talks with Cardiff City manager Steve Morrison about a potential move there and we were talking about a short-term deal to keep him fit leading into that World Cup in Qatar.

“But it looks like he’s chosen a one-year deal, some are even reporting there is a further option in that deal, to go Stateside with the MLS side LAFC.

“He will be in good company as well because the Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini is set to join LAFC as well.”

In 2013, Bale moved from Tottenham to Real Madrid for a then-record fee of £85.1 million, but he frequently had a tense relationship with the club’s hierarchy and fans.