“I felt at home straight away,” said Wales captain Gareth Bale after joining Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Club.
The 32-year-old former Real Madrid and Tottenham striker has signed a free agent after nine years in Spain with an option to stay on for the 2024 season.
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Bale arrived in California on Friday and hours later his new team in the host city watched rivals LA Galaxy in their first taste of the ‘Travico’ derby.
“What an incredible reception when I walked in,” Bell told ESPN.
Bale moved to Los Angeles after his contract with Real Madrid expired at the end of last season. Have helped Wales qualify for their first World Cup appearance Since 1958, Bell had been striving to form his new club.
“The best, ready to play games,” he said.
“I want to come here. I want to play games and excel and do whatever it takes to help LAFC win a trophy.
“And I can help the guys because it’s a very small team here that gives them advice, sees what I’m doing on a professional level and tries to help them.
“The league is a growing league. It was an exciting opportunity that I felt was right for me and my family.
“It’s something very new, but also something really magical. It’s just a very attractive club.”
With Bale watching from the stands, his new team won the derby 3-2.
LAFC, the MLS captain, will visit Nashville and Kansas City over the next two weeks before playing his home game against Seattle on July 29.
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