30 December 2023 , 19:04
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Hugo Lloris has signed for Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC.
The transfer is expected to be completed in January ahead of the new MLS campaign. Lloris, 37, hasn't played for Tottenham this season since losing the captaincy to Son Heung-min and being axed from Ange Postecoglou's first-team squad in the summer.
Spurs have described Loris as "one of our greatest servants" after he made 447 appearances for the club during his 11-and-a-half-season spell. The former France international, who won the World Cup in 2018, was their captain for nine of those years.
Lloris will attend Tottenham's home game against Bournemouth on New Year's Eve to say goodbye to the fans, with a presentation planned for half-time. "We wish Hugo and his family all the best for the future," finished Tottenham's statement on his exit.
Lloris told Spurs fans: "I just wanted to say thank you for all your support since day one. It has been a great privilege to be one of you and one of your captains for many years. I think it's the end of the chapter, but you will always be in my heart.
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"Spurs will always be a special place for me and all of my family and on behalf of them as well I would like to say thank you for all the memories that we had together, all the emotions that we went through and I just want to wish you the best."
LAFC, who Gareth Bale once played for, have shared their excitement at the transfer. "Hugo is arguably the most successful goalkeeper of his generation and a proven winner," said LAFC's co-president and general manager John Thorrington.
Lloris made more than 400 appearances for Tottenham (Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)How do you rate Hugo Lloris' time at Tottenham? Let us know in the comments below!
"We are incredibly excited that Hugo has chosen LAFC for the next phase of his illustrious career. He brings unprecedented leadership experience at the highest levels of football, which we know will greatly benefit our Club in our pursuit of more trophies.
"I would like to thank Tottenham for their collaboration, and I join all of Los Angeles in extending a warm welcome to Hugo, his wife Maine, and their three children to LAFC."
Lloris has signed a one-year contract with LAFC that can be extended into 2025 and 2026. The experienced stopper started his career at Nice before making more than 200 appearances for Lyon, winning the French Cup and French Super Cup.
Lloris led Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019 - which they lost to Liverpool - as well as two League Cup finals. Spurs also finished second behind Chelsea in the Premier League in 2017. He never won a trophy during his time in north London.