By Andrew Warshaw
January 8 – Former England captain Steven Gerrard, the latest footballing icon to further his career in the United States, as expected has chosen Los Angeles Galaxy where David Beckham made his name in the country.
But the club, who have won the MLS title three times in the last four years, have made it clear they expect Gerrard, who leaves Liverpool after 25 years, to commit totally and not switch back to Europe in the off-season.
Gerrard will move in July at the end of the current Premier League season after a lifelong career at his boyhood club whom he joined when he was eight.
“We were aggressive in our pursuit of Steven and look forward to his contributions on and off the field,” said Galaxy president Chris Klein. “Steven Gerrard is the perfect fit with what he brings to us on the field and the character that he has off it.”
Gerrard himself told the LA Times: “I want to finish my career very strong. I want to add some more medals and trophies to my collection. So I think it’s a match made in heaven. “
Gerrard becomes the second England captain to join LA Galaxy after Beckham.
“We’re very pleased to acquire a player of Steven’s calibre, experience and character,” said head coach and general manager Bruce Arena. “He is one of the most decorated players in the world and will join our team with a wealth of success playing at the highest level of the sport.
“Steven will be an excellent example to our young players and we’re excited to add him and his leadership to an already-talented roster.”
Fans of fellow MLS franchise New York City have expressed their anger at new signing Frank Lampard extending his loan deal at Manchester City but Klein says loaning Gerrard to a European club in the MLS off-season has “never been discussed”.
“Gerrard’s focus will be LA Galaxy,” he told BBC Radio, adding that Gerrard will make his debut on July 17 against San Jose.
Reports said Gerrard had agreed an 18-month deal and former Liverpool defender and MLS head coach Steve Nicol said the signing will be another huge boost for the sport in the United States.
“It is on a par with Thierry Henry and David Beckham,” said Nicol. “Gerrard is a world superstar, it can’t be any better for the league.”
The 34-year-old has admitted he would still be at Liverpool next season had the club offered him a contract extension last summer. “If a contract had been put in front of me in pre-season I would have signed it,” Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo. “I’d just retired from England to concentrate all my efforts on Liverpool. I didn’t want my club games to be tailored.
“My injury record had been fantastic for the past two and a half years and I had a great season from a personal point of view last season. It’s all ifs, buts and hindsight now. That period between the summer and the end of November gave me thinking time.
“There’s no blame and I’m not angry about it. There are other people in the squad and the club had other things to worry about. Liverpool Football Club have been unbelievable for me since I was eight years old. This club has helped me fulfil my dreams over and over again. There is no finger pointing from me towards the manager or anyone else at the club.”
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