Zlatan Ibrahimovic,the LA Galaxy striker earned $7.2million (£5.7m) in 2019, setting a new Major League Soccer (MLS) record, according to the MLS Players Association’s (MLSPA) salary guide.
Ibrahimovic’s wages trumps the $7.1m paid to Sebastian Giovinco in 2017 and 2018.
The Swedish striker, 37, joined the LA Galaxy from Manchester United last year.
His 2019 salary a huge increase on the $1.5m he was paid during his first year and sees him move to the top of the pile in terms of wages in the division.
Ibrahimovic has made a remarkable impact in America, scoring 33 MLS goals in 39 appearances.
His team-mate, Giovani dos Santos, is still set to be paid $6.5m in total compensation, leaving him level with USMNT midfielder Michael Bradley as the second-highest paid player in the league.
The average salary for senior roster non-designated players increased 13.3% to $345,867 and is up over 150% from $138,140 in 2014.
“We are encouraged by the continued salary growth that has occurred over each of the last five years. As the League grows and revenues increase, it’s critical that we see this kind of continued investment in player compensation up and down the roster.
“Players are the heart of MLS, and if MLS is to become the league of choice that it aspires to be, it needs to keep pace in an increasingly competitive market for players, both domestic and international. We feel good about these trends, and we expect to see them continue,” MLSPA Executive Director, Bob Foose, said.
