Gareth Bale set to join Los Angeles FC when Real Madrid contract expires

Gareth Bale is understood to have agreed to join the Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC on an initial one-year deal when his contract with Real Madrid expires.

The five-time Champions League winner is soon to be a free agent and has been looking for a new club before playing for Wales at the World Cup in Qatar, which starts in November.

Bale, 32, had been linked with a move to his hometown club, Cardiff, at the end of a nine-year stay at Real Madrid, but he now appears set to continue his career with a move to the United States.

While there has as yet been no official comment from LAFC, the MLS club had posted a cryptic message on Twitter appearing to tease an imminent announcement, writing “Any guesses?” to a GIF showing LAFC international mail.

Last week, Bale had excited Cardiff fans by visiting the Championship club’s Vale of Glamorgan base on their first day of pre-season training. The Wales captain had fuelled speculation he might prefer being closer to home following comments that the standard of football he played before the World Cup should not prove a decisive factor in any move.

It is understood Bale had several options on the table, with his former club Tottenham and big-spending Newcastle also suggested as potential destinations.

Speaking while on recent international duty with Wales, Bale said: “I don’t really know if the standard makes too much of a difference. A football game is a football game. I feel like I’ll never really lose my quality on the ball. I guess it’s a conversation to be had. I need time to think what’s the best move for me, my family, my kids, and hopefully we’ll sort that over the summer. I have options.”

Bale’s move to the MLS is expected to also include the option of an 18-month contract extension, and would see him join the former Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini as part of the LAFC squad.