Zlatan Ibrahimovic, LA Galaxy Agree to Part Ways

On Wednesday, LA Galaxy announced they have agreed to part ways with Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic after two seasons.

The highest-paid player in MLS will be leaving Los Angeles in 2020.

On Wednesday, the LA Galaxy announced they have agreed to part ways with Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic after two seasons. With the 2019 MLS campaign now concluded, it appears Ibrahimovic will be taking his goal scoring touch and one-of-a-kind charisma elsewhere.

I came, I saw, I conquered. Thank you @lagalaxy for making me feel alive again. To the Galaxy fans - you wanted Zlatan, I gave you Zlatan. You are welcome. The story continues...Now go back to watch baseball pic.twitter.com/kkL6B6dJBr

— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) November 13, 2019

It was a colorful two years on the American circuit for Ibrahimovic, who scored 52 goals and tallied 17 assists in 56 appearances in all competitions for the Galaxy. Despite his impressive international pedigree spanning tenures with Manchester United, Juventus and PSG among others, the five-time MLS Cup champion Galaxy only won a single playoff game and no trophies with The Lion spearheading their attack.

Though he failed to lead the league in scoring or claim MVP honors, Ibrahimovic did make the MLS Best XI in 2018 and 2019 while bringing his team and the league added eyeballs. Whether it was through highlight-reel goals, colorful self-promotion or inflammatory comments at the expense of the league and his team, Ibrahimovic remained strongly on-brand during his brief tenure in Los Angeles.

With an eye to the future, the 38-year-old has been linked to several clubs in Italy’s Serie A including AC Milan, Bologna and Napoli. Early reports claimed Milan as the frontrunner as a young team in need of goal scoring, but nothing definitive has emerged yet as the club walked back rumors of a deal in place. Ibrahimovic previously played for the Rossoneri from 2010-2012. He currently has 358 career goals to his name.

Ibrahimovic can officially sign a new deal when the European transfer window opens on New Year’s Day. The window remains open until the end of the month.