Former Sheffield United forward Billy Sharp will depart LA Galaxy following the expiry of his contract, according to the player’s personal Instagram page.
MLS side LA Galaxy held an option to extend the player’s contract for a second season but have opted against activating the clause, meaning the 37-year-old becomes a free agent. He joined the club in August 2023 on a short term deal and appeared 12 times, scoring six and assisting once as the club finished 13th in the Western Conference, failing to make the league’s play-off competition.
Sharp has previously been on the books of Doncaster Rovers, Scunthorpe United, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Southampton, Reading, Rushden & Diamonds as well as being considered a legend at his boyhood club Sheffield United. He has 272 career goals in 703 appearances with his future now uncertain. Should the forward opt to rejoin an EFL or Premier League club, he will have to wait until January at the earliest due to the rules surrounding the registration of players.
He was linked to several clubs in the summer including Barnsley, Huddersfield Town, Rotherham United and Doncaster Rovers amongst others and it is unknown if any remain interested at this stage. However, he could opt to retire after finding himself without a club at 37.
Writer’s View
The LA Galaxy spell started off so well for Sharp with six goals in his opening six games. But following that he failed to score in the following six and failed to register any goal contribution in his final five games. The MLS side will want to move on from such a difficult season and rebuild again, and by letting the player go it will free up funds and space for another potentially younger big name to come in and help them kick on next season. What is next for the forward, however, remains to be seen with any move in England having to wait until January at the earliest it could prompt him to hang up the boots.