Xherdan Shaqiri becomes the highest-paid player in MLS, until July
The Swiss international arrived at the Chicago Fire in February signing a two-year deal that made him the highest-paid player in MLS but just until July.
Xherdan Shaqiri is the latest superstar that has joined Major League Soccer for the 2022 regular season, signing a two-year deal with the Chicago Fire. The Swiss international is currently the highest-paid player in the league, but just until July.
According to the MLS Players Association, Shaqiri will earn $7.35 million in base salary and it could go up to $8.15 million by the end of the season in guaranteed compensation. The 30-year-old surpassed the previous mark that was held by Zlatan Ibrahimovic who earned a total of $7.2 million at the end of the 2019 MLS campaign.
Last year, the Los Angeles FC ace Carlos Vela was the league’s top earner with $6.03 million, but this season he dropped to seventh place at $4.05 million, pending a new contract extension. The striker of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Javier Chicharito Hernández, is in second place this year with a guaranteed $6 million at the end of the season.
Shaqiri will be surpassed by Lorenzo Insigne
The Swiss international will remain the league’s top earner for almost two more months because Lorenzo Insigne will arrive to Major League Soccer in July and start his new contract with Toronto FC. The Italian ace will be earning at least $12.5 million per season for the the next four years.