Milan's Maldini confirms Olivier Giroud signing

Olivier Giroud is on the verge of completing a move to Serie A runners-up AC Milan according to director Paolo Maldini, departing the Premier League after nine years with Chelsea and Arsenal.

The French international leaves Stamford Bridge after four seasons which saw honours secured in the Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League.

The 34-year-old originally moved to England in 2012 after picking up an unexpected Ligue 1 title with Montpellier, joining Arsenal where he spent six seasons, winning a hat-trick of FA Cups and Community Shields.

Internationally, Giroud won the World Cup in 2018, while he is the country’s second all-time top goalscorer, five goals from Thierry Henry’s record of 51.

Giroud joins 39-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Milan’s stable of forward options, hoping to add more of a spark after Mario Mandžukić’s five-month loan featured only 10 appearances and zero goals.