MLS may be about to add two Premier League cult figures to its ranks

Major League Soccer has developed a harsh reputation as a retirement league, but more and more talented players are moving to North America in their twenties.

Admittedly, many of these players wash up west of the Atlantic Ocean after struggles in Europe, but the league has offered the likes of Sebastian Giovinco an opportunity to rebuild their career, both domestically and internationally. The latest player to take the plunge could be former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel. The Dutch international, who is still just 29, is on the move again after spells in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, and a recent tweet has sparked talk of a move to 2009 MLS Cup winners Real Salt Lake. https://twitter.com/Ryanbabel/status/717131796551483393 Meanwhile, one man who has definitely moved to MLS is former Arsenal forward Júlio Baptista. The 34-year-old is best known in England for his four-goal haul when the Gunners beat Liverpool 6-3 in the 2006/07 League Cup. That might sound impressive, but the Reds team that day contained such luminaries as Lee Peltier, Danny Guthrie and Mark Gonzalez. Baptista has joined Orlando City, where he will team up with Kaká and former West Ham midfielder Antonio Nocerino, among others. https://twitter.com/OrlandoCitySC/status/716778553463980032