Official | ‘This will most likely be my last season’ Olivier Giroud following Lille contract extension

Olivier Giroud (39) has extended his stay at Lille OSC by a further season, as confirmed by the club on Monday. France’s all-time record goal-scorer will therefore continue playing into his 40s. 

Giroud played 44 games in all competitions last season, netting 11 goals, including four in the club’s UEFA Europa League campaign. He started half of Les Dogues’ games in Ligue 1, with his last goal coming in a 4-0 win over Toulouse FC on April 12th. 

Speaking on the final day of the Ligue 1 season, Giroud alluded to a potential renewal and L’Équipe have revealed that there have been talks between the former France international and the club over several weeks. 

He added that he was tempted by the possibility of playing at the age of 40. He will turn 40 on 30th September. Speaking on RMC Sport on Monday, LOSC president Olivier Létang said that Giroud “still has that flame.” 

‘This will most likely be my last season’ – Giroud

It was reported by L’Équipe at the start of the month that the Frenchman was nearing a one-year extension. That extension has now been confirmed by the club. He will therefore work with new LOSC manager Davide Ancelotti. 

“I am very happy to continue my adventure here,” he told LOSC’s official channels. “I want to do better than last season […] I won’t speak about what comes after because, for me, it is just a bonus. I don’t like to look too far ahead but this will most likely be my last season – The Last Dance, as they say.”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle