Bastian Schweinsteiger wants Zlatan Ibrahimovic to join him Stateside

Chicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has described ex-Manchester United teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic as "one of the best" players he has played with and urged the striker to join him Stateside.

Ibrahimovic's season has come to an abrupt end due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained against Anderlecht last week, meaning that his time in the Premier League could be over.

The 35-year-old is reported to have been offered a big-money deal to stay for at least another year prior to his injury layoff, but talks will now likely be delayed and he has instead been tipped with making a switch to Major League Soccer.

Schweinsteiger, who departed Old Trafford a month ago after failing to win over manager Jose Mourinho, believes that Ibrahimovic has all the attributes required to succeed in America should he indeed make the move.

"Players like him are certainly very important in a league like MLS. He's a very professional sportsman and really gives you a lot of quality on the field," he told SPORT1.

"He may be [a bit eccentric] and sometimes I think he does it on purpose, but as a footballer, he's really one of the best I've ever played with. He's got a really, really good eye and that really impressed me."

Schweinsteiger has hit the ground running at his new club, scoring twice in his first four league outings for the Fire.