Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, popularly known as Chicharito, has departed Sevilla and joined MLS club LA Galaxy after agreeing to a three-year deal worth £103,000 a week. The MLS club agreed a fee of around £7m with Sevilla for the 31-year old.
The Mexican left West Ham for Sevilla last summer but has fallen down the pecking down at Sevill. Chicharito has also struggled for regular playing time under Julen Lopetegui, making only two appearances since November 2. He has featured in nine La Liga appearances so far this season for Sevilla and scored one goal.
Hernandez is Mexico’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals and is set to become the highest-paid player in MLS. Due to his country’s closeness to America, Hernandez, who, has not hidden his love for the American League and expressed his desire to join the likes of Carlos Vela and Giovani dos Santos in America.
“I’m arriving with the best club in MLS, so I’m very excited about this. I’m simply ready to finally put the shirt on,” Hernandez said.
“I want to achieve a lot of things with the LA Galaxy because that’s what prove and show. I signed with this club for [four seasons] so imagine four more stars on this badge. It’ll be awesome.”
Hernandez will help fill the void up front for LA Galaxy left by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who left the club for AC Milan following the expiration of his contract in December.
LA Galaxy president Chris Klein said: “The LA Galaxy continue to pursue top talent across the world that will improve our team.
“Javier is one of most successful players in our region and an iconic figure in this community.
“The LA Galaxy have represented Los Angeles and have been the benchmark in Major League Soccer since 1996, and our pursuit of the world’s best players for our club will continue to play a part in our success.
“We are excited to add Javier to our club and look forward to him representing the LA Galaxy in our stadium and in the Los Angeles community.”
Also speaking on Hernandez’s signing, Carlos Vela, who also joined LA Galaxy in 2018, welcomed his compatriot to Stateside, adding that Mexicans fans will be excited to see him in MLS.
Vela said: “He is a scoring machine – he’s always there looking to score goals — and he does a really good job defending for his team.
“I think the Mexican fans would be excited.”
