Bale revealed MLS interest in 2020 and admitted he loves golfing in Los Angeles

The Welsh icon appeared to be closing in on an emotional return to boyhood club Cardiff after ending his nine-year spell at Real Madrid.

But Bale, whose main focus is to ensure he heads into the World Cup in peak condition, stunned the football world by signing with LAFC.

Yet perhaps it was a move fans of the former Tottenham winger should have seen coming due to the last time he came close to leaving Madrid.

The 32-year-old's time in Spain looked to be up two years ago following a public fallout with then-boss Zinedine Zidane.

And Bale teased back then that he could end up in the MLS after revealing his love of playing golf in Los Angeles.

Speaking to the Hat-Trick podcast presented by the ICC back in May 2020, he said: "I really like the league.

"I think it's grown so much over the years. When we come over and play them in pre-season, the games are difficult, the standard is getting a lot better.

"The clubs are improving, the facilities are improving, the stadiums are improving.

"I think it's a league that's on the up and still rising. I think a lot more players want to come over to America now and play. I would definitely be interested in it.

"I love going to Los Angeles on holiday."

Asked what he enjoys doing in California, Bale added: "I play a lot of golf.

"I've played Pebble [Beach] a couple of times. I played Cypress Point which is a private members' club which is next to Pebble Beach - that was probably the best course I've ever played so far."

Bale's love of golf is renowned, with the forward earning the nickname 'The Golfer' by his former Real Madrid teammates.

He has a specially designed three-hole golf course in the back garden of his house in Wales and is set to open a golf-themed bar in Bristol.

But the sport also led to a messy fallout with the Spanish media after he infamously held up a 'Wales, Golf, Madrid' banner on international duty.

Considered by many as the greatest British player of all time, Bale will now follow Giorgio Chiellini in heading to the MLS this summer.

LAFC were only founded in 2014, but currently sit top of the Western Conference in MLS.

At LAFC, Bale will play alongside former Arsenal star Carlos Vela who won the league's MVP award and Golden Boot with the club in 2019.