Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed a new contract with LA Galaxy that ties him to the club for the 2019 MLS season.
The former Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain forward had been linked with a return to AC Milan but will become a designated player for the upcoming campaign, meaning the Galaxy will have to buy down or sell either Giovani dos Santos, Romain Alessandrini or Jonathan dos Santos.
Ibrahimovic scored 22 goals in just 27 MLS appearances after joining from United last March but was unable to guide the team into the playoffs.
"We are very pleased to sign Zlatan to a new contract that will see him return for the 2019 season," said Dennis te Kloese, who was appointed general manager last week.
"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."
It's official. He's back.#LAGalaxy sign @Ibra_official to new contract: https://t.co/K3TAE2PxKk pic.twitter.com/5pcScYRXQB
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) December 18, 2018
Ibrahimovic marked his Galaxy debut with a phenomenal double off the bench against rivals Los Angeles FC, helping secure a 4-3 victory on March 31.
He became just the third active player, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, to score 500 goals for club and country when he acrobatically volleyed home against Toronto in September.
The Swede was named LA Galaxy Player of the Year, won MLS Newcomer of the Year and earned a spot in the league's Best XI.
