Hands up who else thought Zlatan would be earning crazy money in America?
Having been raking in more than a quid or two for months while being injured at Man United, it’s safe to say that the enigmatic Swede is probably not short of cash right now.
Despite this, his wages at new club LA Galaxy are extremely modest, by football standards at least.
It is reported that Zlatan is taking a 95% pay cut to join Galaxy in MLS, earning $1.5 million a year (violin plays).
That works out at $33,000-a-week, or £23,000-a-week in good old English money.
His new salary is a stark contrast to the £20million a year (£367,000-a-week) that the 36-year-old was rinsing United for.
Zlatan only made 5 appearances for the Red Devils this season, 4 of those coming from the bench.
In total, he scored 17 goals in 33 Premier League appearances over two seasons at Old Trafford.
His move to MLS was announced last week having been rumoured for months.
Galaxy announced the signing like this…
His new salary comes as a surprise given the money thrown at recent imports.
With Sebastian Giovinco, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa all on big cash during their American holidays, you would be forgiven for assuming Zlatan would be joining those stars.
Wrong.
MLS clubs face a $4million wage cap on their squads, but they can exceed this with a few “designated players” (DP).
Otherwise known as the “Beckham Rule”, the DP rule allows clubs to buy three players whose transfer fee and wages exceed the maximum budget charge.
A player’s DP status is determined by averaging all amounts payable to them over the length or their contract.
All very not complicated at all, they have playoffs too…
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Unlike many of his MLS predecessors, including, Theirry Henry and Steven Gerrard, Galaxy’s latest signing will not be a “designated player.”
But similarly to Beckham, Zlatan could still receive large income through sponsorship and other endorsements.
News of Zlatan’s wage is a welcome relief to the tiresome trend of players just treating MLS as a cash cow.
Usually a player of his calibre wouldn’t dream of making the move without being a DP.
It’s a good look for the ever-improving MLS, which has boasted European-like attendances over the last year.
And it’s an admirable move on Zlatan’s part, given the money he could have earned in the considerably less competitive Chinese Super League.
Now 36, Zlatan is yet to reveal whether he will be coming out of international retirement for one final time to play for Sweden in the World Cup.
An impressive season with Galaxy could tempt him to grace one final big stage before hanging up his boots for good.
Fair play, Zlatan, a secret football purist
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