Zlatan Ibrahimović Becomes Highest-Paid MLS Player In History After Signing New LA Galaxy Deal

Zlatan Ibrahimović has reportedly seen a massive pay rise after he penned a new deal with LA Galaxy earlier this week.

ESPN reports that multiple unnamed sources have told the publication that the 37-year-old Swedish striker will be paid between $7m to $7.5m in 2019.

That's right, the MLS side have substantially increased Ibrahimović's wage bill to keep a hold of him for one more season, especially as AC Milan were keen to re-sign their former player in January.

He pocketed $1.5m in his maiden season at the Dignity Health Sports Park.

According to data from the MLS Players Association, former AC Milan and Real Madrid playmaker Kaká holds the record for the highest salary earned in the league with the $6.66m he received in 2017 at Orlando City.

In fact, the 36-year-old Brazilian earned a total of $7,167,500 in compensation.

As pointed out by ESPN, Ibrahimović's compensation would need to land in the middle of the $7m to $7.5m to take the record from Kaká.

Sebastian Giovinco was the highest-paid player of 2018, with the 31-year-old Toronto FC star pocketing $7,115.555.67 in compensation.

Ibrahimović has had a blistering start to life in the US, as the former Manchester United, Barcelona and Inter Milan star has made 27 appearances and scored 22 times.

"We are very pleased to sign Zlatan to a new contract that will see him return for the 2019 season," says Dennis te Kloese, the LA Galaxy general manager.

"He showed his value last season and we look forward to him representing our club next year.

"With Zlatan returning, we will continue to improve our team in advance of the season."

Ibrahimović claims that he had no intention of leaving LA Galaxy, saying that he is not "finished yet with the MLS."

"There was a lot of talks, a lot of rumors, a lot of whispers around," he said.

"But actually I never left. I stayed here, and like I said, I'm not finished yet with the MLS. I'm still not satisfied with the outcome. I have things still to do.

"I see my first year as warming up, and I think that my second year will be different. Now I know the league, I know my opponents more, even if they've known me since day one, I know how to handle it better now and I know what to do.

"The first year was a warming up, this year, I come to finish it."

Will LA Galaxy be Ibrahimović's last club?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Football, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kaka, MLS, AC Milan, LA Galaxy

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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