LOS ANGELES (Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018) – The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed forward Zlatan Ibrahimović to a new contract that will see the Swedish striker return to LA for the 2019 MLS season as a Designated Player.
“We are very pleased to sign Zlatan to a new contract that will see him return for the 2019 season,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese. “He showed his value last season and we look forward to him representing our club next year. With Zlatan returning, we will continue to improve our team in advance of the season.”
Ibrahimović recorded one of the most successful MLS seasons ever in 2018, finishing the year with 22 goals and 10 assists in just 27 MLS Regular Season appearances, making him just the third player to record a 20-goal, 10-assist season in MLS history. The 32 combined goals and assists by Ibrahimović also tied for the sixth-most in league history. Ibrahimović helped the Galaxy to a 9-2-4 record in matches where he scored a goal.
Additionally, Ibrahimović joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the third active player to score 500 goals for club and country with a goal against Toronto FC on Sept. 15. Following his historic first season with the LA Galaxy, Ibrahimović was named LA Galaxy Player of the Year, earned MLS Best XI honors, won MLS Newcomer of the Year and won MLS Goal of the Year.
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The LA Galaxy signed the Swede in March from England’s Manchester United. In addition to his time with Manchester United, Ibrahimović recorded a decorated career internationally and throughout Europe, where he starred for Ajax Amsterdam, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and his native Sweden.
The LA Galaxy are scheduled to kick off the 2019 MLS Regular Season at Dignity Health Sports Park in March 2019. The club’s season opening match, along with the entire 2019 schedule, will be announced at a later date.
