Superstar journeyman Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the LA Galaxy are officially parting ways after two seasons.
The 38-year-old and the premier US club both announced the long-anticipated decision on Wednesday.
The Swedish striker is said to be eyeing a move to Italian Serie A side Bologna after being linked to a host of top European clubs including AC Milan and Manchester United.
His agent Mino Raiola has also been approached by A-League club Perth Glory about a guest player deal, which would see him play up to six games for them following his commitments with Galaxy.
Player agent Lou Sticca, who was instrumental in Sydney FC recruiting Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero in 2012, acted as an intermediary in the talks.
Glory officials privately concede the approach is somewhat of a Hail Mary but the involvement of Sticca and Pignata, who was Sydney’s chief executive when they lured Del Piero, could help their chances of success.
Ibrahimovic scored 56 goals in 52 MLS games after joining the Galaxy in March 2018.
After debuting with a dramatic two-goal performance as a substitute in a win over Los Angeles FC, Ibrahimovic was an elite, steady scorer for the five-time league champions.
But the Galaxy won just one play-off game in his tenure and he lost the MLS MVP award this year to LAFC’s Carlos Vela, who scored an MLS-record 34 goals to Zlatan’s 30.
In a post on Twitter, Ibrahimovic wrote: “I came, I saw, I conquered. Thank you LA Galaxy for making me feel alive again. To the Galaxy fans – you wanted Zlatan, I gave you Zlatan. You are welcome. The story continues…”
He finished by joking: “Now go back to watch baseball.”
Ibrahimovic has never stayed at a club for more than four seasons in his peripatetic career.
© AAP
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