LA Galaxy signs former Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp

The LA Galaxy has confirmed the signing of former Sheffield United forward Billy Sharp on a free transfer.

The Athletic reported the deal on Tuesday and Sharp has now signed a contract until the end of the 2023 season, with an option for 2024.

Sharp, 37, left Sheffield United this summer after joining for a third spell in 2015, helping guide the club from England’s third tier to the Premier League.

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He appeared in 37 Championship matches last year, mostly from the bench, as United won promotion back to the Premier League, but his contract expired and was not renewed.

The English center forward scored 129 goals in 377 appearances for the Blades.

Sharp joins the Galaxy as further attacking depth in the wake of Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez’s season-ending injury this summer. Dejan Joveljic and Preston Judd are Greg Vanney’s two natural options at center forward, with Sharp another veteran option.

The Galaxy were restricted to only signing domestic-based players this summer due to transfer sanctions but once the summer transfer window closed on August 2, like all other MLS clubs, they can sign free agents until September 13.

Currently seven points behind the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Galaxy manoeuvred their summer sanctions to reload the squad ahead of the final stretch.

They have also added Diego Fagundez, Maya Yoshida, Edwin Cerrillo, Michael Barrios and Tony Alfaro this summer.

The Athletic’s Kate Burlaga

Billy Sharp wiped away tears at Sheffield United’s promotion parade earlier this year after it had emerged that his expiring contract was not to be renewed at the age of 37.

He was the boyhood fan whose fairytale story took him from ballboy to captain at Bramall Lane, winning three promotions