Ibrahimovic ready to win as Galaxy confirm signing

ZlatanIbrahimovic said he was ready to win silverware with Los Angeles Galaxyafter the club confirmed his move from Manchester United to MajorLeague Soccer.A full-page advert in yesterday’s LA Times newspapershowed Ibrahimovic wearing the white Galaxy kit, with a message from the36-year-old Swedish striker saying “Dear Los Angeles, you’re welcome”.Theclub website later announced the signing with the words ‘WelcomeZlatan’ - along with a short video of the player walking out with alion.“I decided to sign with Galaxy because I think it’s the rightplace for me,” he said. “I think I have a lot to give, I can help them alot. It’s the best team in the US. There were no doubts.”Ibrahimovicbecomes the latest high-profile player to move to the MLS in the latterpart of his career - following the likes of David Beckham, StevenGerrard, Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard. Former England captain Beckhamwon the MLS Cup twice after joining Galaxy in 2007 and became an iconicfigure for the growth of the game in a country hooked on moretraditional American sports like NFL and baseball.Ibrahimovic, while in the latter stages of a glittering career, could have a similar impact.TheSwede left United on Thursday when the Premier League club agreed toterminate his contract and said the move is about writing anotherchapter in a storied career in which he won league titles in Italy, theNetherlands, Spain and France.“After being in Europe, winning 33trophies, playing in the best teams in the world, playing with the bestplayers in the world, I wanted to come to the U.S. and play my gamethere,” Ibrahimovic told the LA Times.“I wanted people to enjoy my game there and to win. And I chose the Galaxy to do that.”‘PLACE FOR STARS’DanBeckerman, the president of entertainment giant AEG, the Galaxy’sparent organisation, said Ibrahimovic would become one of the biggeststars in the Hollywood city.“He’s giving up a lot to come here,”Beckerman told the LA Times. He’s made it clear he’s coming here to winchampionships. It’s not about the money.“L.A. is a place for stars, and he’s going to be one of the brightest stars that’s ever played in this market. In any sport.”Ibrahimovic,who scored 62 goals in 116 games for Sweden and played for some ofEurope’s biggest clubs including Inter Milan, AC Milan, Barcelona andParis St Germain, is reported to have accepted $3 million over twoseason to play for Galaxy, a huge wage cut from his United salary.Ibrahimovic justified United’s outlay when he scored 28 times in allcompetitions in his first season at Old Trafford.But after a kneeinjury sustained nearly a year ago he has managed only seven appearancesthis season. Despite that Ibrahimovic, who boasts nearly five millionTwitter followers and owns a clothing brand, said he was ready foraction.“I am ready to go now,” Ibrahimovic said. “First of all, I’mthere to play football. I’m not there for something else. My firstobjective is to play football and do what I’m good at.“I’m excitedto come over and to get the experience with the Galaxy and to explorehow the football is there. I want to be part of it and make it better.”Ibrahimovic’s first action for Galaxy could even come against city rivals Los Angeles Football Club on March 31.