Zlatan Ibrahimovic welcomes LeBron James to LA after NBA star completes stunning switch to the Lakers
In typical Zlatan fashion, the LA Galaxy star said LA now has a 'God and a King'
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has welcomed LeBron James to Los Angeles in typical Zlatan fashion - saying the city "now has a God and a King."
James, 33, completed a stunning move to the Lakers overnight, signing a four-year deal that will pay him $154MILLION (£117m).
Already considered one of the two best players in NBA history, LeBron's move to the West Coast will send shockwaves through the league.
But former Manchester United star had some fun with the arrival of the man known as King James, comparing himself to a god.
His post blew up on social media - within five hours it had more than a million likes on Instagram and 50,000 retweets on Twitter.
The Swede, 36, moved to California in March after struggling to recover from a serious injury he picked up in the Europa League semi-final last season.
A God and a King
LeBron James
- 3x NBA Champion: 2012, 2013, 2016
- 3x NBA Finals MVP: 2012, 2013, 2016
- 4x NBA MVP: 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
- 14x NBA All-Star: 2005-18
- 12x All-NBA first team: 2006, 2008-18
- 2x All-NBA second team: 2005, 2007
- 5x NBA defensive first team: 2009-13
- 1x NBA defensive second team: 2014
- NBA rookie of the year: 2003
- Olympic gold medal: 2008, 2012
- Olympic bronze medal: 2004
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Eredivisie: 2002, 2004
- KNVB Cup: 2002
- Serie A: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
- La Liga: 2009
- Club World Cup: 2009
- Ligue 1: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
- Coupe de France: 2015, 2016
- Coupe de la Ligue: 2014, 2015, 2016
- EFL Cup: 2017
- Europa League: 2017
- Uefa team of the year: 2007, 2009, 2013, 2014
- Serie A player of the year: 2008, 2009, 2011
- Ligue 1 player of the year: 2013, 2014, 2016
- Champions League team of the season: 2014
- Fifa World XI: 2013
Zlatan started with a bang at his new club, scoring two sensational goals in a 4-3 derby win against LA FC on his debut.
But his arrival did not lead to the immediate improvement in form fans may have expected.
LA LA LAND LeBron signs for Lakers in £117MILLION deal after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Galaxy were bottom of the league when he joined and won just two and lost five of the first seven matches he played.
However, the side have turned it around in recent weeks.
MOST READ IN SPORT
Zlatan has six goals in his last three starts, while the Galaxy have moved up to mid-table with two wins and two draws in their last five games.
LeBron leaves his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers after winning one title in four years after returning in 2014.
The team's inability to compete with the Golden State Warriors, who beat them in the Finals for a third time in four years last month, would have driven his decision.
James, who also won two titles with the Miami Heat, helped the Cavs win the first title of any Cleveland team in 52 years - lifting a so-called curse on the city.
James said in a short statement: "Thank you Northeast Ohio for an incredible four seasons. This will always be home."