Football: “I could have had regrets”, after the Blues and Tottenham, Hugo Lloris bounces back under the California sun

Former Blues goalkeeper Hugo Lloris crossed the Atlantic for one last challenge. MAXPPP – Franck Fernandes

"There is everything here for personal development," appreciates Lloris in Los Angeles. 

"An experience that we didn't want to miss". French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, 2018 world champion with the Blues, commented on Wednesday on his arrival at Los Angeles FC in the North American championship (MLS). After the press conference in English, Lloris commented in French for some media including AFP on the beginnings of "the'final stage" of his rich career.

I wanted to try something new

You say you always had MLS in mind ?

There is a certain sports culture in the US with American football, basketball, baseball. Football is a little behind all that but I've seen the evolution in recent years, it's something quite important in the hearts of Americans. The championship is becoming more and more competitive.

I wanted to experience something new after my European career. When this opportunity presented itself I didn't think twice. There is everything here for personal development on and off the field.

What did you know about Los Angeles ?

I came to the United States several times with Tottenham training courses, we played the Champions Trophy in New York. But I never came on vacation. It's something new for my family, for my children. Discovering a region like California, a world-famous place, is an experience that we didn't want to miss. If I had not responded favorably I might have had regrets.

It's very different from what I've experienced in the Premier League

The championship promises to be different from what you have known…

I discovered, it’s a breath of fresh air in my eyes, it’s what I was looking for after 19 professional years in Europe. I really wanted to discover something different, something new, it was always in the back of my mind. There were several opportunities in the Middle East, Asia, and also other clubs in MLS. When LAFC showed up it was my priority, everything happened very quickly.

What did you find at the club during this preparation ?

It's a team that was titled, which played in the final last year. Today we are in the reconstruction phase with new players, young people, and quality.

It's very different from what I've experienced in the Premier League, and that's completely normal the means are different, but I find the very structured, well organized club. On the pitch I find a very competent technical staff, a coach (Steve Cherundolo, former player and assistant coach at Hanover 96) who has very good ideas, just like what we rubs shoulders in Europe, with fairly aggressive football, with a very precise tactical plan.

I come here to integrate, bring my experience, and always seek performance. This is the final stage of my career, I still feel the desire to do things well.