WITH THE STEADY influx of high-profile names like Kaka, Clint Dempsey and Jermain Defoe, Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane is now the 6th-highest paid player in Major League Soccer.
Keane earned $4.5 million this year – the same figure as twelve months ago. His LA Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan jumped above him in the list owing to a new contract signed last year.
The curious numbers offer up something of a strange picture. Kaka, the 32 year-old Brazilian, joined expansion side Orlando City in the summer but the franchise doesn’t feature in the league until next March. The attacker though is still receiving a guaranteed salary of $7.1 million for 2014.
Elsewhere, the Toronto FC coup of bringing in both Defoe and US midfielder Michael Bradley was an expensive one. Between them, it’s cost the club over 12.5 million this year and they’re still sitting outside the play-offs.
Curiously, Frank Lampard isn’t included on the list though his soon-to-be New York City FC team-mate David Villa is. The figure next to his name? $60,000.
Top MLS salaries for 2014
Kaka (Orlando City) – $7.1m
Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders) – $6.6m
Michael Bradley (Toronto FC) – $6.5m
Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC) : $6.18m
Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy): $4.58m
Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy): $4.5m
Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls): $4.35m
Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls): $3.62m
