Thursday 8 January 2015 08:11, UK
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has confirmed he will join Los Angeles Galaxy this summer.
In announcing his decision to leave Liverpool, Gerrard stressed he could not play for another European club if there was a chance they would come up against his boyhood side, and he believes Galaxy is the ideal destination.
"I’m very excited to begin the next chapter of my career in the United States with LA Galaxy,” Gerrard told the LA Galaxy website.
“The Galaxy are the most successful club in Major League Soccer history and I am looking forward to competing for more championships in the years to come.
"My discussions with (coach) Bruce Arena and (president) Chris Klein were extremely positive and the future of the team is very bright.
"I am committed to helping the LA Galaxy compete for trophies and to having an impact in Los Angeles and I will give my all for the club. In the meantime, I will continue to give everything for Liverpool for the remainder of this season before joining up with the Galaxy."
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said: “We’re very pleased to acquire a player of Steven’s caliber, experience and character.”
“He is one of the most decorated players in the world and will join our team with a wealth of success playing at the highest level of the sport.
"Steven will be an excellent example to our young players and we’re excited to add him and his leadership to an already talented roster.”
Galaxy president Chris Klein described the former England midfielder as "the perfect fit" for Galaxy who have won the Major League Soccer title in three of the last four years.
Klein told the LA Times: "We just started thinking in the universe of players that are out there, we want to make a decision on what signifies a Galaxy-designated player.
"When we look at that, Steven Gerrard is the perfect fit with what he brings to us on the field and the character that he has off it."
