2016 MLS salaries revealed: Kaka, Giovinco earn more than 14 teams

The Major League Soccer Players Union announced Wednesday the salaries of its members for the 2016 season, finally sharing details of incoming players' contracts.

The most pressing matter was that of the LA Galaxy's salary cap: How did the league's star-studded side fit its five big-name players into a cap that allows a maximum of three Designated Players? The players' union revealed that Nigel De Jong is making just $500,000 in his first year, while Ashley Cole earns $327,625 per season.

De Jong's contract status is expected to change once Steven Gerrard ($6,132,500) retires at the end of the season. The Dutchman will likely become a DP alongside Giovani Dos Santos ($4,250,000) and Robbie Keane ($3,500,000).

Orlando City captain Kaka is the highest-paid player in the league at $7,167,500 per year, while Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco sits just behind at $7,115,555 per year. Kaka's compatriot Julio Baptista isn't quite so lucky, making just $90,000 in 2016.

Seattle Sounders newcomer Jordan Morris joined the league for a record-breaking Homegrown Player contract that sees him earn $190,500 in his first MLS campaign.

Former Columbus Crew forward Kei Kamara earned a $1 million DP contract prior to being traded to the New England Revolution, while the Crew's other Kamara, Ola, makes about half of that at $457,500 per year.

Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard spearheads the list of new DPs joining MLS, and the U.S. international is being paid quite handsomely at a guaranteed $2,575,000 per year.

Fellow DP newcomer Shkelzen Gashi is on $1,668,750 per year, while Jermaine Jones earns $650,000 per year, despite commanding more than twice that figure at his old club.

Chicago Fire defender Johan Kappelhof is the latest pricey defender from Europe at $520,000 per year, but he's a steal compared to the New York Red Bulls' latest signing, Aurelien Collin ($525,000), and the $6-million price tag on perennially injured New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard.

NYCFC did, however, do quite well for itself in picking up Ronald Matarrita ($175,000), Andoni Iraola ($200,000), Kwadwo Poku ($70,722), and Khiry Shelton ($94,500) on bargain deals.

The best deal of the bunch, however, belongs to the Montreal Impact, who signed Argentine ace Ignacio Piatti to a $425,000 per year contract. He and Didier Drogba ($2,166,667) have proven quite a potent combination thus far.