‘They have fantastic defenders, why did they call me?’: Giorgio Chiellini stays humble on his Los Angeles FC unveiling despite winning NINE Serie A trophies at Juventus… as Italy defender gets ready to link up with Gareth Bale
- Former Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini has been unveiled by Los Angeles FC
- It comes after a glittering 18 years at Juventus, where he won 20 trophies in total
- He formed a formidable partnership with Leonardo Bonucci for club and country
- Chiellini heaped praise on the Los Angeles FC’s crop of ‘fantastic’ defenders
Giorgio Chiellini has humbly questioned why Los Angeles FC have decided to sign him in a modest unveiling as the club’s new signing.
The former Italy centre-back joins the MLS outfit after a glittering 18 years at Juventus, where he won 20 trophies in total including nine Serie A titles and five Coppa Italia crowns.
Chiellini also formed a formidable partnership with Leonardo Bonucci during the majority of his time with the Italian giants and with their country.
Giorgio Chiellini modestly questioned why Los Angeles FC have decided to sign him
The former Italy centre-back was officially unveiled by the MLS side on Wednesday
But speaking at his unveiling as he gears up to link up with fellow new signing Gareth Bale in America, Chiellini heaped praise on the club’s current crop of ‘fantastic’ defenders and admits he is looking forward to his leadership role with the team.
‘I want to be honest. When I start to see the team, I said, they have fantastic defenders; why’d they call me?’ the 37-year-old – who watched his new side beat FC Dallas 3-1 on Wednesday night – said.
‘Everyone talks about Mamadou Fall, but I can say Jesus Murillo, [Sebastien] Ibeagha, who played the last matches and also on the wing – LAFC has fantastic defenders and it’s a fantastic team.
‘Surely I can help them. I can help the team, not just playing, but leading every day the group, and this is my game and what I think. But I have fantastic team-mates, and this is important.’
Chiellini won 20 trophies in total including nine Serie A titles and five Coppa Italia crowns
The central defender is fourth on the all-time list of most capped Italian internationals, with Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluigi Buffon the only players to have appeared more times for the Azzurri.
LAFC had put Chiellini on their discovery list, meaning another club would have to buy that off them should they have wanted to sign the player. As it is, LAFC have used their first refusal advantage to acquire the player.
It represents his first club move outside of his home country, but he insists his new side are ‘perfect’ for him, admitting that adding silverware to his already impressive trophy haul remains the objective.
‘I’m fully convinced of this club, that this club is perfect for me,’ he added.
‘I start to understand the organisation behind the club, and they really want me. And I understand this feeling from the beginning, and I am really happy and proud to be here.
He also formed a strong partnership with Leonardo Bonucci (R) for Juventus and Italy
Chiellini also heaped praise on Los Angeles FC’s ‘fantastic’ defenders and new team-mates
‘I hope to – I’m sure I can – bring something to this club, but I am fully convinced that I receive more than what I bring. I hope to lift some trophies because it’s my goal, it’s our goal, it’s the team’s, the club’s goal.
‘I said that LAFC is the perfect team for me, for the organisation, but also in the team because it’s full of young players. I think they can help me.
‘Surely it’s impossible for me to have the same physical characteristics like 10 years ago, but I can bring also something to them, and we have to create a good mix with experience, with enthusiasm, with younger players in order to become a winning group.
‘I don’t have to change something or to bring something special. Just to add what I am and I hope to continue in this way, because we are at the top and we have to finish at the top. But it’s a long trip.’
Chiellini will now link with Gareth Bale, who has signed a 12-month deal at LAFC
Chiellini made 117 appearances for Italy, and retired from international duty after their 3-0 defeat by Argentina at Wembley in the Finalissima earlier this month.
At Los Angeles FC he will now link up with Bale, who has agreed a 12-month deal to move to Los Angeles , following the expiration of his contract with Real Madrid.
The 32-year-old Wales captain is determined to build his way up to peak fitness in time for the World Cup in November, with his nation making their first appearance at the finals since 1958.
