MLS has established itself as a league that does not hold back when it comes to spending. In this regard, the league has spent enormous amounts to bring in players that can boost their teams. For 15 years, with the designated player rule, MLS teams have ventured into the transfer market and signed many top-rated talents for high transfer fees. The clubs have continued to spend in 2022 to bring in top talent. Here are the biggest MLS signings:
Giovani Dos Santos – 7 Million USD
The Mexican international moved to the MLS for 7 million USD. Dos Santos’s time at Galaxy was not so fruitful, and the club had to bring out his contract to make it easy to depart. His career in Los Angeles was underwhelming, scoring 26 goals in 77 matches.
Alan Velasco – 7 Million USD
A 19-year-old Argentine creative midfielder, Alan Velasco, made an unexpected move to FC Dallas in 2022. Before making his move, Velasco was one of the best players in the Argentine League. As a result, he is one player betting fans will watch closely. On the other hand, you can visit Oddsshark.com for betting odds and analysis. Velasco featured in 48 games for Independiente before making his big-money move to MLS and FC Dallas.
Xherdan Shaqiri – 7.5 Million USD
Shaqiri is an experienced Swiss winger who also moved to the MLS, joining Chicago Fire. He had initially had successful stints at Lyon, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool. Besides that, he has also had a successful international career, having played in three World Cups. Chicago Fire has added a game-changing player to their ranks, and he will indeed become a darling to the team’s supporters.
Lucas Zelarayan – 8 Million USD
Lucas, an Armenian international, moved to the MLS in 2020. After that, he has now emerged as one of the finest free-kick takers in the league. He is also one of the best creative midfielders in the entire MLS. He won the 2020 MLS Cup with the Columbus Crew.
Miguel Almiron – 8 Million USD
Almiron was the league’s highest ever outgoing transfer when he made the 27 million USD move to Newcastle United. Before that, he had arrived at the MLS in an 8 million USD deal to join Atlanta United. At the time, he was regarded as the best player in the Argentine League. His top performances inspired Atlanta United to bring him to the MLS.
Alexandru Mitrita – 8.8 Million USD
Mitrita, the Romanian midfielder, moved to NYCFC in 2019. However, he did not live up to the club and fans’ expectations. He featured in 46 games and scored 16 goals. He has since been loaned out twice since he moved to the MLS.
Matias Pellegrini – 8.9 Million USD
The young Argentine midfielder moved to the MLS from Estudiantes de La Plata for 8.9 million USD. However, he was loaned out to USL club Fort Lauderdale CF in 2021 after Inter Miami could not comply with MLS roster mandates and the correct number of Designated Players. Pellegrini played 19 games, scoring one goal for the club. He was loaned back to Estudiantes, where he is currently playing.
Clint Dempsey – 9 Million USD
Clint Dempsey is regarded as the greatest American soccer player of all time. He returned to the MLS in a 9 million USD move from Tottenham Hotspurs. The Seattle Sounders believed they would benefit from his goal-scoring prowess. However, Dempsey was forced to retire because of a heart issue after playing 115 games and scoring 47 goals.
Javier Hernandez – 9.4 Million USD
Chicharito does not disappoint. He is arguably MLS and LA Galaxy’s ultimate prize catch. His 2020 was one he would want to forget fast, and injuries hampered 2021. Nonetheless, he could still score 17 goals in 21 matches which is a reasonable return for a striker of his caliber.
Alan Pulido – 9.9 Million USD
Alan Pulido moved to Sporting KC in a 9.9 million move. Although injuries have slowed down his career in the MLS, he has been worth every penny when on the pitch. He remains a promising player, but he will miss 2022 due to a knee injury.
Brian Rodriguez – 11.5 Million USD
The Uruguayan international moved to the MLS for a record 11.5 million USD from Penarol to LAFC. He might not have taken the league by storm, but he has shown flashes of his potential and has scored six goals in 41 games. His desire to play in Europe saw him go on loan to America. He later returned to MLS after a tough time in Spain, and 2022 looks like his breakout year.
Gonzalo “El Pity” Martinez – 15.95 Million USD
Atlanta United signed El Pity via River Plate for 16 million USD. He is a former South American player of the year but has been a major disappointment, unable to lead his team. he was later sold to Al-Nassr after one and a half seasons.
Thiago Almada – 16 Million USD
Thiago Almada is the most expensive incoming transfer in MLS history. He moved to Atlanta United from Velez Sarsfield and has shown a lot of creativity, and is regarded as one of the most promising Argentine youngsters.
Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.
