Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
Arsenal s record goalscorer, Henry picked up the Champions League crown that had eluded him with Barcelona in 2009. A year later the France forward was bound for New York and he was named in the MLS All-Star XI in each of his four full seasons with the Red Bulls. Despite his team finishing 2013 with the best regular-season record, MLS Cup glory remained elusive before Henry moved into retirement.
Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)
Parallels will most readily be drawn between Beckham and Ibrahimovic, but Galaxy fans would sooner see him replicate Keane s exploits. The Republic of Ireland favourite landed in Los Angeles in 2011 to star alongside Beckham initially. He was the club s top scorer and named their MVP for four consecutive years from 2012, while 2014 brought a third MLS Cup for the ex-Tottenham forward.
Kaka (Orlando City)
The last player other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d Or, Kaka became the highest paid player in MLS history when he joined Orlando City for their maiden campaign in 2015. A free-kick on debut to snatch a draw against New York City instantly endeared him and the Brazil icon hung up his boots last year with 24 goals in 75 MLS appearances.
All the best for the new season
— Kaka (@KAKA)
David Villa (New York City)
Spain s all-time leading goalscorer, Villa arrived ahead of New York City s MLS debut in 2015 as the franchise s captain. Although the Manchester City-affiliated club are yet to win a major honour, it is not for the want of trying on Villa s part. The 36-year-old former Valencia and Barcelona forward has scored 66 MLS goals in 100 appearances and his form even earned a Spain recall last year.
Andrea Pirlo (New York City)
Pirlo followed Villa to New York City after his renaissance at Juventus helped to inspire for consecutive Serie A titles – a run his former club have continued to add to. The 2006 World Cup winner made 62 appearances in the MLS, operating for the bulk of this time at what could charitably be termed a regal pace, with his flashes of brilliance increasingly dimmed amid the league s physicality.
Didier Drogba (Montreal Impact)
After his second spell at Chelsea, Drogba made an explosive start to life in the MLS, netting 11 goals in as many 2015 regular season games for Montreal. His form tailed off in 2016 and a deteriorating relationship with head coach Mauro Biello was a factor in the Ivory Coast striker s 18-month stay coming to an end. Drogba s American adventure has continued as player-owner with Phoenix Rising of the United Soccer League.
Frank Lampard (New York City)
Lampard s arrival in New York was delayed by a half-season stay at Manchester City being extended for all of 2014-15, prompting similar fan reaction to the European returns of former England team-mate Beckham. Thankfully for Lampard, the goalscoring Midas touch from midfield had not deserted him and 15 goals in 31 MLS games – including the club s first ever hat-trick stood as a decent attempt to get supporters back onside.
