BETHESDA, Md. (AP) – Kaka remains Major League Soccer’s highest-paid player at just over $7 million, and American goalkeeper Tim Howard will earn slightly more than $2.5 million in his return to the league.
Kaka, the former AC Milan and Real Madrid star, is earning a base salary of $6.6 million from Orlando City, according to figures released Thursday by the MLS Players Union. Including a prorated share of compensation not specified to a specific year, his total earnings remain a league-record $7,167,500.
Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco, the league’s 2015 MVP, has a $5.6 million base and total compensation of $7,115,556. U.S. national team captain Michael Bradley, in his third season with Toronto, has a $6 million base and $6.5 million total earnings.
Howard, the U.S. starting goalkeeper at the past two World Cups, is joining Colorado next month after a decade at Everton. He has a $2.1 million base and $2,575,000 in total compensation.
Steven Gerrard, the former Liverpool and England captain now with the Los Angeles Galaxy, has a $6 million base salary and $6,132,500 in total earnings.