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Mike Egerton/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Financial Times

Is Tim Howard set to earn more money than every other MLS goalkeeper combined?

It may say more about the league’s rigid structure than anything else.

TIM HOWARD WILL move to MLS side Colorado Rapids this summer but the deal for the goalkeeper is causing some controversy across the water.

Each franchise is allowed three players that fall outside the league’s salary cap – think of those superstar signings like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Kaka.

Usually, a designated player (DP) slot is reserved for a marquee, goal-getting, exciting acquisition so eyebrows have been raised at why Colorado have spent lavishly on a goalkeeper, especially considering they’ve struggled so much at the other end of the field.

Also, there’s the question of how much Howard will get.

Some solid sources are reporting that the 37-year-old could earn up to $2.8m per year – a relatively modest sum when placed in the context of what other DPs earn.

MLS Union Orlando City Soccer Kaka earned over $7m in his first MLS season with Orlando City SC. John Raoux / AP/Press Association Images John Raoux / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

Gerrard turns 36 in May and earned over $6m last year. Lampard is 38 this summer and raked in a similar amount for his first MLS campaign. Kaka, meanwhile, is 34 next month and received a whopping $7.1m last term .

Still, Howard’s expected earnings absolutely dwarf what other members of the MLS goalkeeping union make per year.

In fact, based on the 2015 figures, an annual salary of 2.8m will see Howard earn more than every other first-choice MLS keeper combined – a staggering statistic.

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