This article is part of Football League World’s 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Los Angeles FC have confirmed the signing of Gareth Bale on a free transfer.

Bale has signed on a 12-month deal after nine years with Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Los Angeles have beaten Cardiff City to the Welsh captain’s signature, after a number of reports linked Bale with a move into the Championship. 

The Bluebirds were seemingly favourites for the deal, as Bale claimed he wanted to stay fresh for the World Cup, but Los Angeles beat them to it and secured him for the season.

With the Bluebirds failing to land Bale’s signature some fans have been quick to express their disappointment, after hoping that the Welsh captain would come to Cardiff with the World Cup coming up later this year.

FLW’s Cardiff fan pundit Ben Johnsey shared his disappointment with Bale not choosing the Welsh club when we caught up with him recently.

Ben was clear to get across that even though he is disappointed with Bale not choosing the Bluebirds, they are still hoping that he can stay fit for the World Cup, as that should be his number one priority.

He explained: “Gareth Bale (signing) is obviously something we would have loved to seen as a club happen, with the fact that is his hometown, where he went to school, where he grew up, where his uncle played football, but I think that he would of looked at the money in America and what opportunities that it can offer. With him coming close to retirement that’s what has taken him over there.

"As a fan it was abit of a sting at the end of the saga that dragged out for a number of days and really got everyone’s hopes up in the end, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

“I think that most fans won’t hold Gareth in a bad light going forward. Obviously, the main hope now is that he keeps fit for the World Cup and Wales can have a successful outcome in that tournament.

"Going forward now we need to focus on our other targets in the transfer window and hopefully the club can be successful.”

 

Quiz: 20 statements about former Cardiff City players – Are they true or false?