LAFC hopes Gareth Bale's move not just for World Cup
(REUTERS) - Los Angeles FC general manager John Thorrington said Gareth Bale's stint in Major League Soccer (MLS) will be the ideal preparation for the World Cup but they want him to stick around beyond the Finals in Qatar.
Bale, whose contract with La Liga champions Real Madrid is due to end this summer, appeared to confirm the move in a post on Twitter on Saturday, writing, "See you soon, Los Angeles."
The 32-year-old led Wales to a first World Cup Finals since 1958 earlier this month.
"It was never about six months just for the World Cup," Thorrington told reporters on Sunday (June 26) after their 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls which maintained their MLS-best record. "We always were talking about longer term than that.
"Gareth was very forthcoming with us about what he wanted, we had numerous calls with him, with his representatives directly. We got the sense that what he wants in preparation for the World Cup and beyond was exactly what we can offer ...
"Our definition of success and Gareth's are one and the same.
So we're not going to do anything that's counterproductive to Gareth, performing well here will be the exact preparation he needs for a World Cup."
See you soon, Los Angeles. ? @LAFC @LAFC3252 pic.twitter.com/GVP8WVWLPe
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) June 25, 2022
The secondary transfer window in the United States opens on July 7 and Thorrington hoped Bale could make his debut against local rivals LA Galaxy the following day.
"We still have to go through immigration, paperwork, things like that," he said.
"But we are hopeful that in the next week to 10 days we'll be able to take care of that... The first game he would potentially be available for would be the game we have here on July 8."
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now