Steven Gerrard Reportedly to Join LA Galaxy on 18-Month Deal
By Phil Naegely
This week Steven Gerrard has officially announced that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the EPL season and join a MLS side. What we don’t know right now is which team he will join. Yet, there are many rumors floating around including ESPN FC’s Jeff Carlisle reporting that Gerrard will join the LA Galaxy on a 18-month deal.
Next: Steven Gerrard Headed to MLS
RT @ESPNFC: BREAKING via @JeffreyCarlisle: Steven Gerrard to join LA Galaxy (18-month pro-rated deal, $6m per year). More soon
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) January 3, 2015
As ESPN FC confirms the Washington Post’s initial report on Gerrard’s potential MLS contract number, he will make a “pro-rated deal worth $6 million (3.9 million pounds) a year.” Likewise the league will pay $750,000 of Gerrard’s deal. This would make Gerrard a designated player and would be the Galaxy’s third DP; his DP slot would replace that of Landon Donovan, who retired at the end of the 2014 MLS season. Likewise, the current CBA negations could change the exact amount MLS would pay.
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Tactically it doesn’t make much sense why the Galaxy would need Gerrard. Yet, like Donovan, he is a veteran soccer player who is a leader on and off the field. Likewise, LA Galaxy’s head coach Bruce Arena is known to make things work even if it doesn’t appear it can. At the same time, Arena is able to adapt and make his sides even better when that hasn’t appeared to be an option.
Juninho and Sarvas have become a key duo for the Galaxy and Gerrard’s entrance could signal the exit of one of them. It appears that Sarvas could be on the way out and another MLS team could be keen on his services.
@VinceByDemand He would seem at first glance to be the odd man out, yes. And I wonder if he'll play as well at another MLS club
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) January 3, 2015
The Gerrard transfer wouldn’t happen until the Summer transfer window. It appears that Gerrard would come over to the Galaxy July and the reported 18-month contract would go through the 2016 MLS season. For now it appears Gerrard is on his way to LA Galaxy at the end of the EPL season, but it’s still unknown if the Galaxy will need to acquire his rights from the New York Red Bulls, who have a discover claim on him. Lastly, nothing is official yet, but ESPN FC and Washington Post are reputable sources, but do not expect an official announcement until much later in the year. As Steven Goff said above, there are always complications, so getting the deal done could take a while especially with the current CBA talks.