Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, has nearly finalised a deal that will make him an LA Galaxy player until 2017, from the summer. This move to LA will earn him £4 million a year, £6 million over the contract length of 18 months.
The deal, which is expected to be announced later in the week, will make the former England captain one of the highest paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Gerrard, 34, who started with Liverpool's academy at the age of nine and continued playing at Anfield during his entire career, revealed that he would have happily stayed with the club till the end of his playing days, if his new contract had been offered to him in time, just after the 2014 World Cup.
Unfortunately the contract only came through in November, by which time he was told that his playing time would be reduced. The skipper was not ready for the "semi-retirement" and looked across the pond for new challenges.
Former Manchester United and England hero David Beckham enjoyed successful five years with LA Galaxy from 2007 - 2012. Beckham's base salary with was $6.5 million a year, but he was entitled to a portion of Galaxy's revenue. It was widely reported that when he left Galaxy at the end of 2012, his potential earnings, over five years were $250 million.
Gerrard will also have another ex-Liverpool team-mate, Robbie Keane, on Galaxy's books. Keene joined the LA club in 2011, and in March 2014 he signed a new multi-year contract extension.
The MLS season runs from March until October and Galaxy are in the Western Conference. They are currently the MLS Cup winners for 2014, which is their fifth Cup title.
Let's hope that Gerrard has a memorable sent-off by his team-mates - he could potentially lift the FA Cup as the Reds are now plying in the semi-finals.
After his brilliant two goals against AFC Wimbledon in the third round match, when Liverpool won 2-1, there is a possibility of lifting the Capital One Cup at the Wembley final, which will be played exactly on his 35th birthday. The Cup would be a cherished birthday present, just before his departure to the other continent.
