While Major League Soccer teams can still complete transfers during the regular season, which gets underway later this month, the offseason is coming to a close and the European January transfer deadline has now passed, meaning that many of the international deals have already been done. Most teams have gained and lost star power since the Columbus Crew raised the MLS Cup on Dec. 9, so here is a list of the most significant MLS international imports and exports that took place in recent months.
MLS Imports
Luis Suarez → Inter Miami
Inter Miami added their fourth former Barcelona starter by acquiring Suarez from Brazilian side Grêmio in December. Suarez and Lionel Messi are now the most dangerous attacking tandem in MLS, reuniting after years of trophies and goals in Spain.
Zack Steffen, Djordje Mihailovic, Sam Vines, and Lamine Diack → Colorado Rapids
Colorado finished last in the Western Conference last season but have been impressive in the transfer market this offseason. Under new head coach Chris Armas, the Rapids have signed three USMNT players in Steffen, Mihailovic, and Vines, as well as Diack, a 23-year-old midfielder from Ligue 1’s Nantes, on a loan deal with the option to purchase.
Hugo Lloris, Eduard Atuesta, and David Martinez → LAFC
LAFC is in the process of reloading their roster after an MLS Cup loss in 2023. Lloris, a 2018 World Cup winner, signed with LAFC this offseason to become their new starting goalkeeper. Atuesta returns to LAFC on loan from Brazilian team Palmeiras after being a member of the Black & Gold from 2018 to 2021. Martinez, a 17-year-old Venezuelan forward, was one of the most sought-after South American players. He ultimately signed with LAFC and is now under contract with the MLS team until 2027.
Emil Forsberg → NY Red Bulls
The longtime RB Leipzig midfielder made his move to MLS by signing a two-year deal with the Red Bulls as a Designated Player. Forsberg immediately becomes the leader and face of the club, hoping to help his new team move further into championship contention after 14 consecutive playoff appearances (MLS record) without an MLS Cup.
Pedro De la Vega → Seattle Sounders
The Sounders signed the Argentine attacker as a Young Designated Player for a club record transfer fee of $7.5 million from Lanús. De la Vega is expected to be a replacement for Sounders legend Nicolás Lodeiro and had been scouted by Seattle for three years.
Hugo Cuypers → Chicago Fire
Cuypers is another player that an MLS club is breaking records for. The Fire’s deal for their newest Designated Player is expected to be one of the most expensive in MLS history once it is finalized. The Belgian international was a goal scoring machine for Gent, Chicago hoping he can be the same as their No. 9.
Petar Musa → FC Dallas
The theme of record fees continues in relation to Musa, who heads from Portuguese side Benfica to Dallas for a $9.7 million transfer fee plus add-ons. The 25-year-old Croatian international fills a Designated Player spot for Dallas and will become their most notable striker in 2024.
David Brekalo and Luis Muriel → Orlando City
Brekalo is in the final stages of signing with the MLS side for a $2.5 million transfer fee to become their new key centerback. The Slovenian international will be Orlando’s replacement for Antonio Carlos, who was transferred to Fluminense this offseason. The club is also reportedly finalizing a deal for Muriel from Atalanta; he has scored 68 goals in 184 appearances for the Serie A side since joining in 2019.
Matías Cóccaro and Dominik Yankov → CF Montreal
Cóccaro and Yankov have both joined Montreal this offseason and are expected to slot straight into attacking roles for the MLS side. Montreal will have a new look this season under first-year head coach Laurent Courtois.
Jovan Mijatovic → NYCFC
Mijatovic is moving from Red Star Belgrade to NYCFC for a $8.6 million fee plus add-ons. The 18-year-old Serbian international is a versatile attacker and scored eight goals in 14 league games for Belgrade this season.
MLS Exports
Brandon Vazquez → Monterrey
The USMNT striker moved from MLS to Liga MX in January after four seasons with FC Cincinnati. Vázquez has the record for most goals in a single season in FC Cincinnati history and became the club’s second-ever MLS All-Star in 2022.
Cade Cowell → Guadalajara
Cowell is another USMNT player who headed to Liga MX. He left the San Jose Earthquakes for Guadalajara (known by the nickname Chivas) in January. Cowell became the first active USMNT player at Chivas. In fact, due to club policy, he obtained Mexican citizenship through his maternal grandfather before completing the transfer.
Chicharito (Javier Hernández) → Guadalajara
After four seasons at the LA Galaxy and an extensive career in Europe, Chicharito has returned to the club where his professional career started. The striker signed a two-year deal with Chivas and will likely join forces with fellow former MLS player Cowell.
Yimmi Chara → Atlético Junior
Chara left the Portland Timbers for Colombian team Atlético Junior after joining MLS in 2020. Chara made 116 appearances for Portland in that time. He also played alongside his brother, Diego, who has been a Timber since 2011.
Nicholas Gioacchini → Como
The USMNT attacker left St. Louis FC for Italian side Como after being selected in the MLS Expansion Draft before their inaugural season in 2023. Gioacchini started 24 out of the 32 games he appeared in during the MLS regular season, scoring 10 goals.
Karol Swiderski → Hellas Verona, Kamil Jóźwiak → Granada
Swiderski and Józwiak both left Charlotte FC this offseason to head back to Europe. Swiderski has gone on loan to Serie A side Hellas Verona, with Verona holding the option to buy. Jóźwiak has joined La Liga’s Granada on a permanent transfer. Both Polish internationals were crucial pieces for Charlotte in recent years.
Duncan McGuire → Blackburn Rovers?
McGuire’s transfer situation turned into a chaotic saga. His move from Orlando City to Blackburn originally fell through but was then rebuilt into an agreed loan deal with the option to purchase. However, the transfer is on the verge of collapsing again due to a Blackburn error with the registration paperwork. Sources report that there is still hope the deal can go through, but McGuire’s future is uncertain. Drafted in the first round of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, McGuire finished last season as Orlando’s top goalscorer (with 15) in all competitions.
Main Image Credit:
