• [Dailystar Icon]
• Sport
• US Sport
• MLB

New biggest ever sports deal surpasses Lionel Messi's 10-year contract is worth 550m

Sports history was made on Saturday when the LA Dodgers completed their capture of generational talent Shohei Ohtani, whose nine-figure contract is the biggest ever signed by a pro athlete

[Fans cheer on during a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers]

Shohei Ohtani has signed the biggest contract in sports history(Image: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Dodgers have pulled out all the stops to acquire Shohei Ohtani in sport's biggest athlete signing.

Ohtani, 29, has completed the 28-mile move from the LA Angels to join their cross-town rivals on a 10-year deal worth $700million (558m) to the all-rounder. Thus brings an end to the biggest trade storyline of the MLB off-season, which has concluded with the seven-time champions adding the Japanese wonder to their stable of stars.

And the outrageous sum splurged to sign Ohtani is understood to be the biggest in sports history, with the Japanese ace receiving an unprecedented guaranteed fee. It eclipses the 452m deal Lionel Messi signed with Barcelona in 2017, which previously held the record.

READ MORE: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were already a couple before popstar's first NFL game

READ MORE: Lionel Messi is first footballer to be crowned Time magazine's 'Athlete of the Year'

However, Messi's remains the more valuable deal based on earnings per season considering his salary was stretched over only four years (equal to 122m per season). Former Barca team-mate Neymar is reportedly earning 129.2m at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia but is only contracted to the club until June 2025 (with the option of an extra year).

MLB journalist Jeff Passan reported it was Ohtani's idea to defer "most of his salary," with the idea of giving the Dodgers more freedom to build a better line-up around him. The LA outfit last won the World Series in 2020 and are hoping the three-time All-Star will lift them back to the head of the baseball pyramid.

Which past sporting legend would be the most valuable on the planet today? Let us know in the comments section below.

[Shohei Ohtani is signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers]

The LA Dodgers are forking out 558m over the next decade to sign Ohtani(Image: @MLBONFOX/x)

"To all the fans and everyone involved in the baseball world, I apologise for taking so long to come to a decision. I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team," wrote Ohtani in a heartfelt Instagram post. "First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels organisation and the fans who have supported me over the past six years, as well as to everyone involved with each team that was part of this negotiation process.

"Especially to the Angels fans who supported me through all the ups and downs, your guys support and cheer meant the world to me. The six years I spent with the Angels will remain etched in my heart forever. And to all Dodgers fans, I pledge to always do whats best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself."

[Lionel Messi]

Lionel Messi's historic Barcelona deal has been surpassed(Image: Getty Images)

[Lionel "Leo" Messi attends during his press conference to talk about his departure from FC Barcelona]

Lionel Messi previously held the record for sport's biggest deal(Image: Marc Gonzalez Aloma/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Join the Daily Star's WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more

Ohtani's new deal also dwarfs the 10-year, 365.6m contract Patrick Mahomes signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020. The two-time Super Bowl champion restructured his deal earlier this year to expedite a larger portion of his earnings, cementing his spot as one of the NFL's highest-paid players in history.

New Dodgers signing Ohtani - who has made All-Star selection as both a pitcher and a hitter - joined the ranks of Major League Baseball in 2018 but has never won a World Series. Half of Los Angeles is betting the house that can change at some point over the next decade.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.