Olivier Giroud is now an AC Milan player with Ivan Gazidis no doubt playing a role in the Frenchman’s arrival.

Olivier Giroud was meant to be a free agent this summer but Chelsea triggered a one-year option in his contract. As a result, they were able to sell him rather than letting him pocket the money for himself.

The forward, now 34, has moved for £1.7m in total after Chelsea and AC Milan ironed out some of the finer details of the deal. Chelsea were initially asking for €5m for Giroud, dropping that to €3m then €2m to find an agreement. The Italians will pay half this season and the remainder next.

Giroud has agreed a two-year deal, with an option for a third, and will earn €3m-a-year, after tax, plus bonuses.

The extension of his Milan contract until 2024 is expected to be automatic, as long as things go well during his first two years.

If they don’t, Gazzetta dello Sport report that Giroud has already agreed he will ‘step aside’.

Should Milan take the option of a third year, Giroud will turn 38 one month into that season.

Giroud will wear the number 9 shirt in Milan and the man, who was unfairly slated as a ‘flop’ by the UK media when he was at Arsenal, was described as ‘Mr Reliable’ upon leaving Chelsea.

At Arsenal, Giroud averaged a goal or assist every 110 minutes. At Chelsea, his rate was every 107.