It’s official. After eleven and a half years, seven of them as club captain, the best keeper of Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League era is departing the club. Spurs formally announced today that Hugo Lloris has left the club and will sign with MLS side Los Angeles FC.
We can confirm that Hugo Lloris will depart the Club on a permanent transfer to MLS side Los Angeles FC.
After 447 appearances for us and establishing himself as a modern day great, we wish Hugo all the very best for the future
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 30, 2023
For those who weren’t Spurs fans when he arrived, it’s hard to overstate what it felt like to land a keeper of Hugo’s level back in 2012. He was not only a young, talented shot-stopper, he was already France’s No. 1. Spurs had only qualified for the Champions League one time in their history. There was no reason why Hugo would want to come to Spurs when there were undoubtedly bigger and better clubs that he could hold out for.
But he came. After a bedding in period, he eventually succeeded veteran keeper Brad Friedel as Spurs’ starting keeper that season and went on to establish himself as not only Spurs’ best keeper in the modern era, but also one of the best keepers in the Premier League. Hugo ends his Spurs career seventh on the all-time appearance list and France’s most-capped player. Along the way he started in a Champions League final and won the World Cup. It’s a hell of a career by any metric.
Father Time, however, is undefeated and after the last couple of seasons it was clear Hugo had taken a step back in terms of his performance levels. When Ange Postecoglou assumed his position as manager, it was already well known that Hugo was likely ready to move on to a new challenge. He nearly did this past summer, but nothing seemed to be the right fit.
Now it seems he’s found one in America. Hugo’s trading in the grey skies of London for the sun and warm temperatures of Los Angeles, and he’ll be playing at the same club that Gareth Bale played for after leaving Real Madrid. Hugo’s deal is reportedly one year (and he is apparently NOT LAFC’s Designated Player), but with an option to extend it further if needed.
It has been time to move on for a while now. Spurs knew it and I think Hugo has known it for a while. The deal will be complete subject to Lloris obtaining a work visa, which shouldn’t be an issue.
Tottenham announced that they will celebrate Hugo’s career and say farewell at halftime of tomorrow’s match against Bournemouth. I hope it’s televised.