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17 former Premier League players that moved to the MLS - including Tottenham Hotspur stars

Molly Burke
By Molly Burke

Football Writer

Published 29th Jun 2022, 15:24 BST
Updated 29th Jun 2022, 15:51 BST

Gareth Bale has joined a long list of footballers to join the MLS.

The United States’ MLS has become the hub for veteran footballers to join as they near the end of their careers and it looks like Gareth Bale was eager to follow the footsteps of many former icons.

The Welshman had been linked with a return to the Premier League after he was released by Real Madrid and was also rumoured to be a surprise target for Cardiff City, however Bale confirmed last week that he would instead be joining Los Angeles FC.

The MLS club was founded only seven years ago but is home to a number of familiar faces, with Giorgio Chiellini joining the club this summer after 18 years with Juventus.

While the likes of Andrea Pirlo, David Villa and Gonzalo Higuain all making switches to North America in the latter stages of their careers, there have also been a large amount of former Premier League stars to take the trip across the Atlantic Ocean.

Here are 17 ex-Premier League players that ended up in the MLS...

Four years after leaving Manchester United, Beckham joined LA Galaxy at 32 years old. The midfielder won two MLS Cups in Los Angeles and had 62 goal contributions in 124 appearances.

1. David Beckham - LA Galaxy

Four years after leaving Manchester United, Beckham joined LA Galaxy at 32 years old. The midfielder won two MLS Cups in Los Angeles and had 62 goal contributions in 124 appearances. | Getty Images

Ziegler joined four clubs and had another seven loan spells between his time with Tottenham Hotspur and his transfer to FC Dallas. At 32, he joined the Texas club and made 83 appearances in the MLS - scoring eleven goals. In the 2018 season, he was sent off a team-high three times.

2. Reto Ziegler - FC Dallas

Ziegler joined four clubs and had another seven loan spells between his time with Tottenham Hotspur and his transfer to FC Dallas. At 32, he joined the Texas club and made 83 appearances in the MLS - scoring eleven goals. In the 2018 season, he was sent off a team-high three times. | AFP via Getty Images

Four years after a disappointing spell with Tottenham, Giovani dos Santos joined LA Galaxy in a $7m deal. The forward impressed in the MLS, scoring 15 goals and assisting another five in his second season with the club. At 30, the Mexican joined Club América.

3. Giovani dos Santos - LA Galaxy

Four years after a disappointing spell with Tottenham, Giovani dos Santos joined LA Galaxy in a $7m deal. The forward impressed in the MLS, scoring 15 goals and assisting another five in his second season with the club. At 30, the Mexican joined Club América. | Getty Images

After spells with Manchester United, Fenerbahce, Valencia and Sporting Lisbon, Nani joined Orlando City in 2019. The Portuguese was a hit in Florida, scoring 31 goals and assisting another 17 in 84 appearances.

4. Nani - Orlando City

After spells with Manchester United, Fenerbahce, Valencia and Sporting Lisbon, Nani joined Orlando City in 2019. The Portuguese was a hit in Florida, scoring 31 goals and assisting another 17 in 84 appearances. | Getty Images

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