Shaqiri heads Insigne and Hernandez as highest-paid MLS player

Figures revealed by the MLS Players Association (MLSPA) showed that Shaqiri earns a guaranteed $8.15 million (£6.5 million), pipping Toronto's Lorenzo Insigne ($7.5 million/£6 million) and Los Angeles Galaxy's Javier Hernandez ($7.44 million / £5.6 million).

Insigne's Toronto team-mate and fellow Italy international Federico Bernardeschi is fourth on the list with $6.3 million (£5 million) while Austin's Sebastian Driussi is fifth on the list with $6 million (£4.8 million).

Shaqiri, 31, has scored seven goals in 35 appearances since joining the league last year after a career in European football that included stints with Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Liverpool and Lyon.

Overall, Toronto FC have the highest wage bill in MLS, with a payroll of $25.74 million (£20.6 million), ahead of Los Angeles Galaxy with $23.46 million (£18.79 million).

Atlanta United are the third biggest spenders with $21.26 million (£17 million), ahead of D.C. United with $20 million (£16 million).