Kaka tops MLS payroll over Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard

New York: Brazilian midfielder Kaka is the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer this season, taking home $7.167 million from Orlando City according to salary figures released Friday by the MLS Players Union.

The former Milan and Real Madrid star edged Toronto`s Sebastien Giovinco, the former Juventus striker from Italy on $7.115 million, while such high-profile new arrivals as England`s Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard saw their compensation made public as well, the duo among 21 MLS players who will crack the $1 million mark this year.

Midfielder Gerrard is assured $6.332 million from the Los Angeles Galaxy while Lampard will receive $6 million from New York City. And each of them have some well-paid new teammates as well.

Italy`s Andrea Pirlo will be paid $2.315 million by New York City, which also shells out $5.61 million to Spaniard David Villa. Irishman Robbie Keane will receive $4.5 million from the Galaxy, who also will give Mexico`s Giovani dos Santos $4.1 million.

Among Americans, the highest-compensated player is Michael Bradley at $6.5 million from Toronto, which also pays $4.75 million to his US and Canadian club teammate Jozy Altidore while Seattle`s Clint Dempsey ranks third with $4.6 million.