L.A. Galaxy announce signing of Steven Gerrard
It's official. Steven Gerrard will be moving from Anfield to the StubHub Center come July.
BREAKING: The #LAGalaxy have signed Steven Gerrard: http://t.co/6SETFNTE8M #StevieLAG pic.twitter.com/mwPMqwNOlS
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) January 7, 2015
L.A. Galaxy manager Bruce Arena had already confirmed Gerrard would be joining his side during Major League Soccer's summer transfer window, at which point Liverpool's season will be over. The MLS club's announcement Wednesday confirmed the former England captain will be arriving in California as a Designated Player.
"I'm very excited to begin the next chapter of my career in the United States with L.A. Galaxy," said Gerrard in the club's official statement. "The Galaxy are the most successful club in Major League Soccer history and I am looking forward to competing for more championships in the years to come.
"My discussions with Bruce Arena and Chris Klein were extremely positive and the future of the team is very bright. I am committed to helping the L.A. Galaxy compete for trophies and to having an impact in Los Angeles and I will give my all for the club. In the meantime, I will continue to give everything for Liverpool for the remainder of this season before joining up with the Galaxy."
As is always the case with MLS clubs, specific terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, both the BBC and ESPN FC have reported that Gerrard will be joining the Galaxy on an 18-month contract and will earn around £4 million, which would instantly make him one of the highest-paid players in the league.
Here's five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant welcoming Gerrard to Los Angeles: