TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Roster update
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's time with the LA Galaxy is up.
The LA Galaxy announced that the Swedish superstar will not be returning to the club in 2020 by mutual consent. Ibrahimovic himself posted a farewell message on his social media channels featuring artwork of one of his trademark celebrations looking down from on high at El Trafico rival LAFC's Banc of California Stadium and the city of Los Angeles:
The message revealed Ibrahimovic's departure from the Galaxy, where he played in 2018-19, scoring 52 goals and 17 assists in 56 regular-season games. LA Times reporter Kevin Baxter subsequently confirmed the news:
“We would like to thank Zlatan for his contributions to the LA Galaxy and Major League Soccer,” said LA Galaxy president Chris Klein in a team statement. “Since his arrival in 2018, Zlatan has positively influenced the sport of soccer in Los Angeles. We are grateful for his work ethic and passion. We thank Zlatan for his professionalism and immeasurable impact on the Los Angeles community and the soccer community in North America as a whole.”
A two-time MLS Best XI selection, Ibrahimovic was 2018 MLS Newcomer of the Year and helped the Galaxy return to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2019, where they won their Round One game before falling in the Western Conference Semifinal round. He finished second in the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi race two years in a row, and scored several unforgettable goals in his time in MLS, including the 2018 MLS Goal of the Year, scored on his debut with the Galaxy.
