We take a look at top footballers in the world who have featured in league soccer in the United States over the years.
The Argentina legend announced on Wednesday that will be heading to the United States to play in MLS for the Inter Miami team from this season onwards.
The Brazilian legend joined New York Cosmos at the age of 34. Pelé scored 64 goals in three season for the Cosmos, leading them to the 1977 league title.
Beckham was 31 and had just finished four seasons at Real Madrid when he joined the LA Galaxy in 2007. It was the most lucrative deal the league had seen to date and laid the foundation for Beckham to become the eventual owner of Inter Miami. Beckham helped the Galaxy to two MLS Cup titles.
Beckenbauer followed in Pele’s footsteps by joining the New York Cosmos for four seasons beginning in 1977. He returned to Germany for two seasons before rejoining the Cosmos for his final season as a player in 1983.
His brief retirement ended in 1979 when he signed with the Los Angeles Aztecs of the NASL. He was voted the league’s player of the year in his one season in Los Angeles after scoring 14 goals in 22 matches. He stayed in the NASL in 1980 but moved to join the Washington Diplomats.
Ibrahimović was in MLS for only two seasons with the LA Galaxy. In 2019 at age 37, Ibrahimović scored 30 goals in 31 matches including two hat tricks and six matches with two goals.
The French striker joined the New York Red Bulls in 2010. Henry spent parts of five seasons in New York and scored 51 goals in 121 matches.
The England striker joined DC United in 2018 at the age of 32. Rooney played 1 and a half season in Washington, scoring 23 goals in 48 regular season appearances.