Gareth Bale signing with LAFC seen as major win for club, MLS

LAFC announced Real Madrid F Gareth Bale as a "shock summer signing,” and for a team “already first in the league, sitting atop the Supporters’ Shield standings, it feels like a statement of intent,” according to Tenorio & Slater of THE ATHLETIC. LAFC went into this season “with an open designated player spot and some salary cap flexibility.” They had already “gone through massive changes,” including a new coach and several new faces on the team, but they “still had salary cap space to improve further.” Bale certainly “adds a whole new level of star power.” LAFC co-President & GM John Thorrington said the pull of playing in L.A. “was too much,” and Bale was “intrigued by the opportunity that comes whenever a star of his magnitude comes to the U.S.” Before signing, Bale spoke with LAFC’s ownership in a video call. Tenorio & Slater write “living in L.A. and playing for a first-place LAFC team made it the right fit” (THEATHLETIC.com, 6/26).

ALL GOOD THINGS: In L.A., Dylan Hernandez writes the signing “has absolutely no downside for LAFC.” The stigmas associated with MLS “have gradually diminished to where it wouldn’t be a surprise if Lionel Messi finishes his career in the league.” LAFC is the “latest beneficiary of MLS’s improved status,” as it will add not only Bale next month but also former Juventus D Giorgio Chiellini, who last year won a European championship with Italy (L.A. TIMES, 6/ 27). FS1’s Maurice Edu said LAFC signing Bale is a “good bit of business” for the team and “strengthens their squad incredibly, but also it’s an asset for the league” ( “Union-NYCFC,” FS1, 6/26). ABC’s Taylor Twellman said the signing “transcends MLS." The signing does not count as the teams Designated Player, with Thorrington saying “if the right opportunity comes” to sign a Designated Player “we are ready and prepared to make that decision.” Thorrington: “No decision is better than a bad decision” ( “Red Bulls-LAFC,” ABC, 6/25).

STACKED ROSTER: ESPN.com wrote Bale joins a team that leads MLS' Supporters' Shield race “with the best record in the league,” has just re-signed star player Carlos Vela to a new deal through the ‘23 season and added Chiellini earlier in June. Both Bale and Chiellini “could feature for LAFC as soon as its July 8 rivalry match" against the Galaxy (ESPN.com, 6/26). THE ATHLETIC’s Jack Pitt-Brooke wrote everywhere Bale has gone, “he has left indelible memories and there has always been something thrillingly comic-book about what he does, and how he does it; about his raw power, his speed with the ball, his ability to rise to the moment when it matters most” (THEATHLETIC.com, 6/27).