The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed forward Zlatan Ibrahimović to a new contract that will see the Swedish striker return to LA for the 2019 MLS season as a Designated Player.
The Zlatan Ibrahimovic era in Los Angeles is not over yet.
After a scintillating first season with the LA Galaxy, Ibrahimovic was heavily rumored for a return to AC Milan, but the Swede is staying in MLS for 2019. The club announced on Tuesday that he will be a Designated Player next season.
“We are very pleased to sign Zlatan to a new contract that will see him return for the 2019 season,” Galaxy general manager Dennis te Kloese said in a media release. “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.”
Ibrahimovic, 37, notched 22 goals and 10 assists in his debut season in the league, earning 2018 MLS Newcomer of the Year and Goal of the Year honors in the process. He nearly led the Galaxy on a stirring late run to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, though the club fell short with a devastating home loss to the Houston Dynamo on Decision Day.
The 37-year-old initially signed with the Galaxy on a smaller, TAM-assisted contract than he could have garnered elsewhere, as the club already had all three of their Designated Player slots filled.
"Let's just say I'm happy, my family, everybody's happy, and we have a good time and a good life here," Ibrahimovic said after the season ended. "[I'd like to resolve this] as soon as possible. I think everything is work in progress. Everybody's working, so let's see. It depends how big loan we can get from the bank.”