Major League Soccer’s Record Spending in 2025
In a significant move showcasing the growth of Major League Soccer (MLS), clubs within the league collectively spent approximately $336 million on player transfers in 2025, setting a new high that almost doubles the previous record of $188 million established in 2024, as reported by the league on Thursday. This expenditure positions MLS as the eighth-largest spending league globally, and notably, it reflects an outlay nearly twice that of Mexico’s Liga MX.
Competitive Atmosphere and Transfer Activity
The excitement surrounding this record spending comes amidst a competitive atmosphere, particularly as MLS’s secondary transfer window recently closed, while European leagues continue to operate until September 1, and Liga MX remains open until September 11.
Record Transfers and Notable Acquisitions
An impressive aspect of this financial surge is that MLS broke its incoming transfer record three times this year alone. FC Cincinnati made headlines by securing Kévin Denkey from Cercle Brugge for $16.3 million, surpassing the previous high of $16 million set by Atlanta United for Thiago Almada back in February 2022. Following Cincinnati’s acquisition, Atlanta United raised the bar further by paying $22 million to Middlesbrough for Emmanuel Latte Lath. The most significant transfer came this month when LAFC finalized a deal for the acclaimed South Korean player Son Heung-Min from Tottenham Hotspur, reportedly for $26 million.
Several other franchises have also made noteworthy acquisitions, such as the Colorado Rapids, who recently signed U.S. Men’s National Team player Paxten Aaronson from Eintracht Frankfurt for a club-record $8 million. Notably, nearly half of MLS teams have made record signings over the past two years, reflecting a trend of increased investment across the league.
New Internal Cash Transfer Market
One contributing factor to this surge in spending is the rollout of a new internal cash transfer market, allowing teams to purchase players without the previous requirements of trading non-cash assets like allocation money and draft picks. This change aligns MLS more closely with international practices, enabling teams to utilize unlimited cash for player transactions. The league has seen over $40 million spent on 11 players through this new system.
International Talent Acquisition
Internationally, MLS has attracted a significant number of talent, with Brazil leading the way as the top source of players with 11 transfers to the league, followed closely by Argentina with 10. England and Portugal have also contributed eight players each.
Strategic Outflows and Future Vision
Additionally, MLS is not only investing in talent; it is also facilitating substantial outflows, with seven different players leaving for sums exceeding $10 million. This strategy aligns with Commissioner Don Garber‘s longstanding vision of positioning MLS as a formidable entity within the global transfer landscape.
