Steven Gerrard will join the Los Angeles Galaxy in July after completing his illustrious career with boyhood team Liverpool.
The 34-year-old midfielder announced last week he was leaving Liverpool after the English Premier League season to move to Major League Soccer. The Galaxy confirmed Gerrard as a designated-player signing on an 18-month deal in Wednesday's editions of the Los Angeles Times and later tweeted the move.
Gerrard said the Galaxy's run of success was one of the reasons he wanted to join the team. The Galaxy won the MLS Cup for the third time in four years in December.
"Iām very excited to begin the next chapter of my career in the United States with LA Galaxy," said Gerrard. "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.
"I am committed to helping the LA 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."
Galaxy President Chris Klein told the LA Times that "Gerrard is the perfect fit with what he brings to us on the field and the character that he has off it."
Gerrard will complete the season with Liverpool, where he has collected titles in several competitions, but has never won a Premier League championship. The EPL season ends in May, and Gerrard will likely join the team this summer.
U.S. & World
The move marks another big-name signing for the Galaxy involving international stars nearing the end of their careers. In the last decade, the team has signed Gerrard, former England captain David Beckham and Irish national team member Robbie Keane, another ex-English Premier League standout.
Gerrard joined Liverpool Academy at age 9 before signing a professional contract in 1997, at 17. He debuted for Liverpool in November 1998.
