After playing 11 years of professional soccer in England, Hugo Lloris, the 2018 World Cup champion with France, found a new home with the Los Angeles Football Club. The decision to transition to the U.S. and join LAFC was not one taken lightly. Originally scheduled for February 5, Lloris’ introduction press conference alongside teammates Tomás Ángel, Omar Campos, and Eduard Atuesta had to be postponed due to a record-setting winter storm that hit Southern California. The event was eventually rescheduled for Valentine’s Day.
In an interview at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, Lloris, now 37, expressed his excitement about this late stage of his playing career taking place in the U.S. Major League Soccer. He talked about the different environments, cultures, teammates, expectations, and supporters that he is encountering in the move.
The transition from England to the U.S. comes with a set of new experiences and expectations. The French national team captain made it clear that at this late stage of his career, he is keen on having experiences in a new environment, not just for himself but also for his wife and three children
Despite the challenges of changing leagues and countries, Lloris is looking forward to the opportunities to connect with his new team in a way he had not encountered in the European leagues. Lloris emphasized the importance of being a part of the team and getting onto the field, as that is where he truly enjoys football.
The decision to join LAFC was an easy one, even though he agreed to terms with a one-year deal that paid a player of his stature below market value. Lloris mentioned that after losing his starting spot with Tottenham, he was honest with himself about how he wanted to proceed in his career. Despite the financial sacrifice, he is confident that being part of the LAFC project is the right move for himself as a player.
On the club’s perspective, LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington noted that Hugo Lloris’ decision to join LAFC was a significant acquisition for the club, given that he’s a World Cup-winning captain and has had a successful career at world-renowned clubs like Tottenham Hotspur.
Lloris also expressed his excitement about joining a club that had global fame, particularly with the earlier signing of Carlos Vela and the fast victories that cemented the team’s reputation in the league.
As he enters a new phase with LAFC, Lloris is keen to make his mark on the league, and he is expected to make his debut in the season opener against the Seattle Sounders at BMO Stadium. The move is seen as a fresh start for the goalkeeper as he continues to pursue his love for the game on the fields of Major League Soccer in the U.S.
