Zlatan Ibrahimovic 'took 95 per cent pay cut to join LA Galaxy'

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has taken a 95 per cent pay cut to join LA Galaxy from Manchester United.

The veteran Swedish striker was earning a huge £19million-a-year at Old Trafford, but has signed up to play for the Galaxy in MLS on a pay packet of just £850,000-per-annum.

According to Marca, Ibrahimovic is not going to be one of the American club's designated players, which restricts them to a wage limit of just $3.8m (£2.8m).

That means he is only taking home £16,000-a-week, a huge drop from his giant £350,000-a-week wage packet at United.

Ibrahimovic explained shortly after his arrival in LA that he was keen to finish his career there after a silverware-laden time in Europe.

'After being in Europe, winning 33 trophies, playing in the best teams in the world, playing with the best players in the world, I wanted to come to the US and play my game there,' the Swede said.

'I wanted people to enjoy my game there and to win, and I chose the Galaxy to do that.'

Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic's surgeon revealed earlier on Wednesday that the 36-year-old left United because of their Champions League exit.

Europe's elite club competition is one of few major honours he has not picked up in his long career. United were knocked out by Sevilla in their last-16 tie.

Dr Freddie Fu Ho-Kueng said: 'His idea was to see if we can go back and win more titles, especially the Champions League. After United lost to Sevilla, I think his decision, in my opinion, was that maybe that was it. This is my feeling.

'United won't be able to catch up with Manchester City in the Premier League either. Maybe they can win the FA Cup which is good but not as good as the Champions League.

'He did everything else pretty much, won every major thing. Unfortunately they lost to Sevilla. I think he would have stayed longer, but he didn't tell me that.'