How Will Ferrell helped broker Gareth Bale’s stunning free transfer to LAFC after Real Madrid exit
GARETH BALE'S sensational move to MLS might not have happened without an intervention from Hollywood's Will Ferrell.
Contact over a move to Los Angeles FC was first made after Wales beat Ukraine to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, but things escalated quickly after an intervention from the Anchorman star.
LAFC have a star-studded ownership group which also includes basketball legend Magic Johnson.
Cardiff owner Vincent Tan, who tried to bring Bale back to Wales after his Real Madrid contract expired, used to hold a significant share in the club but sold most of it in 2020.
And it was a touch of stardust that helped convince Bale to make the switch to MLS as he prepares for Qatar.
John Thorrington, a former Manchester United academy player and now co-president and general manager at LAFC, said: “I can't remember exactly what stage in the conversation it was but he did receive a personal message from Will Ferrell.”
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Bale, who will line up against Wayne Rooney's DC United overnight tonight, has scored two goals in five appearances including a stunning solo finish against Real Salt Lake.
LAFC had already signed Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini after he left Juventus, but to land Bale was a different kettle of fish.
Thorrington said: “I will tell you the absolute, honest truth, until I saw a signature I never believed it would happen.
"I credit our staff, as well as Gareth and his representatives, who were fantastic to work with throughout.
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“It was at the conclusion of the Wales-Ukraine match.
"I got a message from the North American head of the agency asking whether we would have any interest. And then it was fairly simple.
“From there, I wouldn't even call it convincing [him], I would just say it was a very frank and genuine exchange of ‘what do you want for the next step of your career?’ Whether that's going into the World Cup [or not].
“’What do you want beyond that? What can we offer you and do the two align? And on the field off the field, I think everything aligned to where we could do the deal."
MLS clubs operate under a designated player rule - nicknamed the Beckham rule - which allows clubs to sign three players outside of their salary cap.
These slots are usually used to attract the likes of Bale to MLS, but the Welshman is not one of LAFC's three, instead earning a wage that comes in under the cap.
Despite that, and facing competition, the favourites to win the MLS championship this season knew they were offering something different.
Thorrington said: “ I don't think we had competition that was at all similar to what we offered.
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“I knew it was a slightly different conversation in terms of me trying to say here are two of the same thing and try to decide between the two.
“We were a totally different opportunity and I was not surprised to hear there was competition in Europe."