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The Los Angeles Dodgers have confirmed the signing of Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani on a mammoth 10-year contract.<\/p>\n
The reigning American League MVP\u2019s agent Nez Balelo revealed the record-breaking $700m (\u00a3558m) deal on Saturday before Ohtani posted on his Instagram account about his short move from the Los Angeles Angels.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe congratulate him on his historic contract with our storied franchise,\u201d said Mark Walter, chairman of the Dodgers and their owners Guggenheim Baseball, in a statement confirming the move on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cShohei is a once-in-a-generation talent and one of the most exciting professional athletes in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cOur players, staff, management and ownership look forward to working together with Shohei to help the Dodgers continue to add, improve and strive for excellence on the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether with Shohei, we will work to help grown the number and breadth of people around the world who enjoy the excitement of Major League Baseball.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ohtani, 29, thanked Dodgers fans for welcoming him to the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can say, 100 %, that you, the Dodger organisation and I share the same goal \u2013 to bring World Series parades to the streets of Los Angeles.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reports in US media say Ohtani will receive around two million dollars (\u00a31.6m) a year throughout his contract with the balance in instalments of 68m dollars a year (\u00a354.1m) for the following 10 years to provide the club with greater flexibility in payroll restrictions.<\/p>\n
Former MVPs Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have similar deferred deals with the Dodgers.<\/p>\n
Ohtani is unusual in that he plays as a pitcher and a hitter, becoming regarded as one of the best in the game on both sides of the ball since his Angels debut in 2018.<\/p>\n
He won his second American League MVP award in 2023, despite an elbow injury which curtailed his season and will prevent him from pitching in 2024.<\/p>\n
Pitcher Joe Kelly, who re-signed with the Dodgers on Monday, is switching to number 99 to allow Ohtani to retain his 17 jersey.<\/p>\n
The previous record contract in MLB was the 426.5m (\u00a3340m) the Angels paid to outfielder Mike Trout as part of a 12-year deal in 2019.<\/p>\n
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes\u2019 10-year 450m (\u00a3359m) extension, agreed in September, was the previous highest in US sports.<\/p>\n