LA Galaxy add striker Billy Sharp
By Anthony Rotz
LA Galaxy continues to bring in veterans in pursuit of a playoff push.
LA Galaxy and veteran striker Billy Sharp have agreed terms on a contract for the rest of the season. The contract will include an option to extend the deal depending on LA reaching the playoffs.
Billy Sharp has completed his medical at #LAGalaxy Terms agreed on a deal until the end of the MLS season + one-year option to stay for a further year (up to four months initial depending on play-offs). Former #SUFC striker had #EFL offers ⚽️🤝🇺🇸
— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) August 15, 2023
Sharp, 37, comes to Los Angeles as a free agent this summer following the expiration of his contract with Sheffield United. Sharp comes with plenty of experience, as his age would suggest, having just completed his 18th season in England. The striker has competed throughout the English football pyramid, from League Two up to the Premier League.
Having come through the Sheffield United academy, Sharp made his first team breakthrough in 2004/2005 season, making 66 appearances before moving on to Doncaster Rovers in 2010.
Sharp would proceed to bounce around Rovers, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Reading, and Leeds United over the course of the next six seasons, returning to his boyhood club.
His second stint would solidify Sharp in the hearts of Blades supporters. Joining Sheffield in 2015, Sharp would lead an ascent from League One to the Premier League in the span of four seasons. Over the course of that remarkable run of promotions, Sharp would make 176 appearances and scoring 89 goals.
In the Premier League, the strikers’ role diminished but remained an important figure in the club, whether on the bench or on the field
Following Sheffield’s relegation in 2020/2021, Sharp would regain his prominence on the field, adding 87 more appearances for the club.
His last season with Sheffield saw the club finish second in the Championship and earn automatic promotion back to the Premier League. A fitting way to leave a club that he holds dear.
In total, Sharp leaves England after 693 appearances and 267 goals.
Galaxy’s Open Door
Sharp will be the Galaxy’s sixth addition in the last five weeks. Coming off a transfer ban that was lifted after the summer window closed, the Galaxy is promptly bringing in reinforcements.
Sharp joins fellow European veteran and defender Maya Yoshida to sign as free agents, While Diego Fagúndez, Edwin Cerrillo, Tony Alfaro, and Michael Barrios were brought in via trade.
While LA needs more depth across the roster, striker was particularly important following the season-ending injury to Javier “Chicarito” Hernández, which leaves Dejan Joveljić as the only proven option up top. Aside from his position, Sharp is a bona fide leader, a trait that could prove valuable as LA traverses a daunting playoff push.
Sitting seven points out of the playoffs with twelve games to go, Greg Vanney needs all the help he can get.