Gareth Bale joins Los Angeles FC - Arrives as a free agent from Real Madrid

Gareth Bale joins Los Angeles FC. The 32-year-old winger will be a free agent after his contract at Real Madrid expires on July 1. Bale confirmed the deal on Saturday via his Twitter profile. LAFC confirmed the transfer on Saturday. MLSSoccer.com reported that  Bale will join on a Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) deal and will not require a Designated Player (DP) spot. The contract will initially run for 12 months until June 2023. 

The 32-year-old was crucial for his country Wales in World Cup qualifying but needs minutes for match sharpness ahead of the winter World Cup in Qatar in November and December. Bale has previously been linked with a move to Getafe and Cardiff City. 

Real Madrid paid a then-world record €101 million when they acquired the winger in 2013 from Tottenham. Although he had mixed performances throughout the years and see his market value drop from €90 million to now €3 million, overall his time at Real can be considered a success. The 32-year-old was an important part of a European dynasty that won five Champions League titles in the last nine years.