MLS continues to draw aging star power into its player pool as west coast club LAFC is closing on a deal for veteran Italian international Giorgino Chiellini.
Those reports are courtesy of Goal’s Juventus correspondent Romeo Agresti, who early today tweeted that the iconic defender is “one step away” from agreeing to terms with the Los Angeles-based outfit, with an agreement to be finalized in the coming week.
#Chiellini–#LAFC ai dettagli, si chiude la prossima settimana // Chiellini is one step away from joining LAFC: the agreement will be finalised next week ✈️🇺🇸 @GoalItalia @goal
— Romeo Agresti (@romeoagresti) May 21, 2022
Chiellini is out of contract at Juventus in the summer, and the now 37-year-old will look to wind down a storied career for club and country in one of the more popular destinations for aging European stars over the last 10-15 years.
The Pisa-native has made a combined 670-appearances across all competitions since making his debut for boyhood club US Livorno after coming through the club’s academy ranks, making his first appearance in Serie C1 back in 2000-01 before going on to have a stint with Fiorentina and ultimately plying his trade at Juve for seventeen illustrious seasons while making 560-appearances.
Additionally, Chiellini became one of the beating hearts of the Italian national side for 19-years while making 116-appearances.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally retouched) Giorgio Chiellini of Italy poses with The Henri Delaunay Trophy during an Italy Portrait Session following their side’s victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Across his influence for both club and country, Chiellini netted 23-major honors and is widely regarded as one of the best center-backs of his generation at the very least.
In heading off to MLS, Chiellini adds his name to a long line of top-level players that have viewed the league as a place to wind down their careers. Despite MLS garnering a reputation for developing talented youngsters that are now regularly making their way across to Europe, the likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Kaka, and Thierry Henry have all had stints across the pond in the States.
With the allure of spending the twilight of his career in the star-studded city of Los Angeles, there may have not been a better destination for Chiellini to eventually call time on an immense career.
