5 best players to move to MLS since David Beckham

2012 MLS Cup - Houston Dynamo v Los Angeles Galaxy

MLS has been treated as a retirement destination for a long time now. The top players of European clubs from the English, Spanish, Italian and other leagues play in Europe during their peak form but after a decline in form they all opt to go MLS rather than retiring at the European clubs. Thus, MLS provide them a platform to play for few more years.

But the first player who set this trend of moving to MLS from Europe was none other than the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend David Beckham. Beckham was one of best midfielders of his time but after playing for the European giants he decided to go to MLS side LA Galaxy. Since then it has become a trend.

But who are the top players who followed Beckham's footsteps to America? Let's check out the following list of 5 of them.

#5 Bastian Schweinsteiger

Bastian after having a decorated career and impressive trophy cabinet with a number of Bundesliga titles, UEFA Champions League, League Cups for Bayern Munich he moved to Premier League giant Manchester United under his former coach Louis Van Gaal.

Basti's first season wasn't much of a success when he just won an FA Cup. At the start of his second season, Jose Mourinho took over from Van Gaal and turned out to be not much of a fan of the German midfielder. So, after suffering utter ignorance from Jose in his second season at United he had to look for a new club.

Finally, Basti decided to move to MLS side Chicago Fire and is currently a first team player at the MLS club.

#4 Steven Gerrard

The Liverpool icon who spent his entire time at the club and turned down lucrative efforts from clubs like Real Madrid and Chelsea to prove his loyalty the Merseyside club is one of the players who decided to end their career at MLS.

He won a UEFA Champions League title at the Liverpool and spent 17 years there. He was one of the top midfielders of Europe during his peak form.

In 2015, he decided to move to MLS side LA Galaxy and played one season for the USA based club.

#3 David Villa

Commissioner Don Garber Announces 2016 MLS MVP Award

David Villa is the next on this list. He had an amazing career and played for clubs like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid during his time in Europe.

He won La Liga title, Copa Del Rey, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup with the Blaugrana and another LaLiga title with Atletico Madrid. He also won the FIFA World Cup 2010 with his international team.

Villa was one of the lethal strikers of his time but after a decline in his form he decided to move to MLS and New York City FC was his choice and went on to play 100 games for the MLS club.

#2 Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo, a legend of Italian football who played for rival clubs like Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus and still impossible to hate.

The classy Italian midfielder famous for his scintillating freekicks had an amazing career with all the clubs he played for.

He won a bunch of titles with them and FIFA World Cup with his International side too but the Italian finally decided to join MLS side New York City FC as his next club and has played more than 50 games since joining.

#1 Zlatan Ibrahimović

Manchester United v Southampton - EFL Cup Final

The Swedish international is the latest addition to this list who has recently switched from the Premier League giants Manchester United to MLS side LA Galaxy.

Zlatan has won league titles with Ajax, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint Germain and various other trophies. He has been a fantastic striker even in his thirties and showed his excellence throughout Europe.

Now, Zlatan has decided to prove his brilliance on the American land. Zlatan has been a lethal finisher throughout his career, let's see what Zlatan adds to LA Galaxy's trophy cabinet.

Edited by Sripad