Los Angeles FC will reportedly have to pay a compensation fee to Major League Soccer rivals Inter Miami after completing the signing of Gareth Bale on a free transfer.
The Wales star departed from Real Madrid this month after nine years at the club and it was revealed on Saturday that he will become the latest high-profile player to move to the MLS.
As reported by Spanish outlet Diario AS, David Beckham’s Inter Miami hoped to sign Bale after putting him in their ‘discovery list’ this summer.
As per the regulations, clubs in the league can include just seven players on their wish list.
In a bizarre turn of events, LAFC will now have to pay a £40,000 ($50,000) compensation to remove Bale from Inter Miami’s list.
Making LAFC’s first official comment on the deal, co-president John Thorrington did not discuss the length of Bale’s contract but expressed confidence it would go beyond the Qatar World Cup in November.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Thorrington said: ‘I’d love to get into specifics but, as policy, I don’t.
‘What I can tell you is that LAFC and Gareth are hoping that this is a long-term partnership and step for Gareth and his family.
‘It was never about six months just for the World Cup. We were always talking about longer term than that. That was very clear from Gareth and his representative.
‘Obviously we expect him to be a top, top player for us and in this league, but we will do so sensibly.
‘When Gareth is looking at what he needs to do, his priority will be at LAFC, we are absolutely sure of that, but we’re not naive to the fact that he, like some other players of ours, have a World Cup on the horizon.’
Thorrington went on to reveal Bale could make his LAFC as early as next month against local rivals LA Galaxy.