Ibrahimovic signs for Los Angeles Galaxy: report

LOS ANGELES, California: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed for the Los Angeles Galaxy and could make his debut for the Major League Soccer side this month, Sports Illustrated reported Thursday.

Hours after reports in Britain said Ibrahimovic had played his last game for Manchester United, Sports Illustrated reported on its website the Swedish star had inked a deal with the Galaxy.The report said the transfer would be announced in a full-page adverstisement in Friday’s edition of the Los Angeles Times.

MLS rules allow clubs to sign three designated players who are not subject to salary limits, a rule introduced when David Beckham arrived in the league.However because the Galaxy have already signed their designated players for the 2018 season, Ibrahimovic’s salary will be limited to around $1.5 million according to the Sports Illustrated report.

That represents a fraction of the reported $26.8 million a season Ibrahimovic was paid after signing for United from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016. The Galaxy have a history of luring ageing stars to America with David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane among those to have made the move to Los Angeles.

Ibrahimovic, 36, hasn’t featured at all for Jose Mourinho’s United side since being substituted at half-time in a 2-2 draw with Burnley on December 26.The Swede scored 28 goals in 46 appearances during a stunning first season in England before tearing knee ligaments in a Europa League tie against Anderlecht in April.