LA Galaxy sign veteran striker Billy Sharp on free transfer from Sheffield United

LA Galaxy have signed veteran striker and Premier League side Sheffield United legend on a free transfer.

After spending his entire playing career in his native England and scoring 116 goals in 311 appearances in all competitions for the Blades, Sharp is headed to Major League Soccer.

Sharp has signed with Los Angeles for the rest of the 2023 season with an option for the 2024 campaign. With Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez out for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL, the Gs and sporting director/head coach Greg Vanney were eager to add to their center-forward depth that previously had just Preston Judd and Dejan Joveljic.

The 37-year-old is the second free agent to sign for LA after the arrival of center-back Maya Yoshida. The Galaxy have utilized the free agent market as they're still under a transfer ban from MLS that restricts them from signing players outside of the United States and Canada during the transfer window, meaning that they can only sign international players that are out of contract.

"Billy is an accomplished striker who brings experience, leadership and proven goal-scoring pedigree," Vanney said. "We are pleased to add a player of Billy’s caliber to the team for the stretch run of the season."

The Western Conference side are back in action when MLS play resumes on August 20, as they host conference rivals Real Salt Lake at Dignity Health Sports Park. LA are seven points away from a playoff spot behind the ninth placed Houston Dynamo and currently sit in 13th place with 22 points, and will hope that Sharp can get into some fine form during the business end of the season.

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