Word NewsBy Rik Sharma
PUBLISHED: 04:20 EST, 6 August 2013 | UPDATED: 04:20 EST, 6 August 2013
Clint Dempsey's deal with the Seattle Sounders means he will be paid MORE than David Beckham was at LA Galaxy.
He signed a three-and-a-half year deal with an $8million (£5.2m) base salary a year, which also allows him to go on loan during the MLS off-season.
Beckham's base salary was $5.5m (£3.5m) when he signed with LA Galaxy, and later took a pay cut which put him on 'only' $3m (£1.95m) a year.
Of course, the former England star also earned millions in endorsements and other compensations, which Dempsey will not pick up.
But the signing of a player at his peak from a Premier League team is seen as a big coup for the MLS.
Dempsey cost the Sounders £6m, but the fee was paid entirely by the league itself.
The club's majority owner Joe Roth said: 'This is a historic day for Sounders FC and our fans. Clint is a world-class soccer player who can take this club to a higher level.'
Of course, the former England star also earned millions in endorsements and other compensations, which Dempsey will not pick up.
But the signing of a player at his peak from a Premier League team is seen as a big coup for the MLS.
Dempsey cost the Sounders £6m, but the fee was paid entirely by the league itself.
The club's majority owner Joe Roth said: 'This is a historic day for Sounders FC and our fans. Clint is a world-class soccer player who can take this club to a higher level.'
Owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer added: 'In doing something of this magnitude we had to make sure we had the right player. Clint Dempsey fits that mould.
'He is a proven winner, a leader and a competitor who we believe will raise the bar for this organisation on and off the field.'
Dempsey said: 'I am very excited about coming back to the MLS and thrilled to be joining Sounders.
'Having recently played in Seattle with the national team, I experienced the incredible atmosphere and the passion from the supporters first-hand. It's going to be an honour to represent the fans in Seattle.'
Dempsey joined Tottenham from Premier League rivals Fulham on transfer deadline day last summer for around £6million, scoring 12 goals in 43 appearances for the north-London club.
The 30-year-old first made a name for himself playing for the New England Revolution before joining Fulham in 2007.
CLINT DEMPSEY FACTFILE
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