Watch moment beaming Gareth Bale hugs former Real Madrid team-mates in LA just weeks after transfer exit
GARETH BALE was reunited with his Real Madrid pals in Los Angeles.
The Wales captain, 33, moved Stateside after nine glittering years at the Bernabeu when his contract expired at the end of June.
But Bale, who has already got off the mark at new club LAFC, was pictured having a warm embrace with Real boss Carlo Ancelotti and Karim Benzema.
The Spanish giants are on pre-season on the west coast of the USA and Bale popped in to see his friends train.
Real tweeted: “@GarethBale11 witnessed our training at UCLA. Good to see you.”
Bale, who ended his Real career with his fifth Champions League title as a substitute in the final against Liverpool, also laughed and joked with Casemiro and Vinícius Junior.
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He left Spain as a club legend even though his relationship with Real fans and the Spanish media proved turbulent.
The forward has settled into American life well and is ready for World Cup lift-off after scoring his first MLS goal in last weekend’s 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City on just his second appearance.
LAFC lead the Western Conference as Bale gears up for November’s World Cup with Wales in Qatar.
Bale said: “It’s nice to get off the mark but more importantly we got the three points.
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“The transition’s been what I expected. It is going to take some time. I’d be in pre-season if I was in Europe now so I’m getting my fitness back up pretty quickly, and the club’s doing an amazing job to progress me and not push me too quickly.
“I’m starting to feel better and better as each day of training goes on, and I was glad to contribute with a goal.
“I’m enjoying it here. Everybody at the club has made me feel very welcome and I feel very settled straight away.
“Any player will tell you if you feel happy and settled then you will start to play your best football.
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“I hope that continues and I will keep working hard for the team like I always do.
“The fitter you get the more you can cope with the conditions. I felt better than I did last week. I felt comfortable on the pitch.”