Football: Giroud leaves Arsenal to sign eighteen-month deal with cross-town rivals Chelsea

February 3, 2018 On Wednesday, English football club Chelsea FC announced signing French forward Olivier Giroud from cross-town rivals Arsenal FC on a eighteen-month contract. The deal is reportedly worth about 18 million. Olivier Giroud is to wear jersey number 18, the club announced via their website.

31-year-old Giroud joined The Gunners in 2012. Since then, the Frenchman has played 253 games for Arsenal and scored 105 goals. During his tenure at the, Giroud has won three. He has also won the trophy with Arsenal.

Giroud remarked on joining The Blues, "Chelsea is one of the biggest teams in the . They have won maybe the most trophies in the last six or seven years. It's a massive club and I am proud to sign for Chelsea, and I'm looking forward to playing."

Chelsea loaned Belgian forward to German club Borussia Dortmund. Giroud's departure from Arsenal was announced shortly after Arsenal announced signing Gabonese striker from Dortmund for about £56 million making him the costliest player in Arsenal's history.