The MLS has been making a name for itself in recent years as a "retirement home" for international superstars like David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, Kaka and Steven Gerrard.
Liga MX has been doing the same thing, with Queretaro spending last season with Ronaldinho on the roster.
Now, though, it looks like Liga MX is looking to up the ante, by obtaining an international star who is still playing at an elite level.
Liga MX club Tigres UANL has signed Andre-Pierre Gignac away from Ligue 1 (France) club Marseilles. Gignac may not be as big of a name as Ronaldinho or Kaka, but the Frenchman was the second-leading scorer in Ligue 1 last year with 21 goals, behind only Alexandre LaCazette (27 goals) and in front of Zlatan Ibrahimovic (19) and Edinson Cavani (18).
Gignac is 29, which means that, unlike most stars who move to North America seeking fame and one last paycheck, he still has a lot of soccer left to play.
Gignac's style is suited to Liga MX. He's a big body and has great control in the air, with a nice finishing touch. He'll like playing in Liga MX, which features a lot of speedy wingers looking for someone to cross the ball to.
Could Gignac be the first drop in a flood of still-in-their-prime big-name players to move to America? If he does well and has a good time while making money, it very well could be.
Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus
