The Week in MLS Transfers: Jan. 18-24 | OneFootball

We’ve gone from measuring the time before the MLS Season kickoff from weeks to days: 27 to be exact. As this excitement builds, club continue to scramble to shore up their rosters. Here’s a summary of the most significant moves between January 18th and 24th (the last day we checked for updates).

BOMB! dropped by Austin FC

Austin FC dropped a total bomb on Friday with the signing of Facundo Torres from Brazilian side Palmeiras. Torres spent three seasons with Orlando City, where he played 111 matches (including playoffs) and scored 43 goals along with 18 assists.

His spell at Palmeiras was far less productive: 10g/6a in 61 games. His arrival into Austin comes with a hefty $9.45M fee, but given that they scored the fewest goals in the Western Conference they need a proven goalscorer. Torres will occupy their final Designated Player slot, but as he is a Green Card holder will not take up an International spot.

Houston Continue Their Rebuild

The Dynamo continue to make moves. Exon Arzú, a Honduran forward, will return to his boyhood club Real España on loan through June 30th. This move is likely a reaction to the arrival of Nick Markanich.

Nick, whose twin brother Anthony is a regular starter for Minnesota United, comes on loan from LaLiga 2 side CD Castellón. Nick spent two seasons with Charleston Battery in the USL Championship, where he won Player of the Year and Golden Boot honors in 2024, scoring 28 goals. His 2025 move to Spain proved to be frustrating. He appeared in 12 matches, all of the bench, logging 241 minutes and failed to score or make an assist. Doubtless his workrate and energy will be better served with Dynamo.

Loons Add Another Feather to the Wing

Minnesota United acquired winger Mauricio González from Colombian side Deportivo Tolima. Transfermarkt has deal terms listed at over $975K. The 21-year old has 11g/3a in his three years as a professional in the Colombian top flight.

New England Go Back to US Youth

American forward and US youth international Griffin Yow (pictured left) was acquired by the New England Revolution from Belgian club Westerlo. Yow was coached by Revs’ new manager Marko Mitrović in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Yow’s Discovery Priority rights were previously owned by Vancouver, and New England provided $125,000 of GAM, plus their second-round pick in the 2027 SuperDraft to the Canadian club. This is in addition to the $640K transfer fee to Westerlo. Yow has impressive stats from his 86 games in the Belgian top flight, scoring 18 goals and providing 10 assists.

FC Dallas Solve a Problem

FC Dallas loaned midfielder Enes Sali to Al-Riyadh SC, it was announced on Thursday. This solves one of Dallas’ pressing issues: they had five players occupying four U22 Initiative slots prior to Sali’s departure. Putting him on loan ensures that if he develops over in Saudi Arabia, they can pull him back in. Now if they can fill their remaining DP slot with a player as good as Petar Musa, that would be something.

St. Louis Flex some Financial Muscle

St. Louis made their second signing of the off-season, fully acquiring Conrad Wallem (pictured right) from Slavia Prague. The Norwegian midfielder appeared 34 times for CITY in 2025 while on loan, scoring one goal and contributing an assist. Per Transfermarkt, the acquisition came with a $2.3M fee.

Charlotte Shore Up Defense

Charlotte FC added depth between the sticks, signing Tyler Miller from Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer. Miller, 32, is a former USMNT member who was rostered for the 2019 Gold Cup. This will be his fifth MLS club, having played for Seattle, LAFC, Minnesota and D.C. United. The Crowns were seeking a backup keeper to Kristijan Kahlina after trading Drake Callender to Minnesota.

Because LAFC Lacks Firepower?

LAFC has strengthened their attack by signing Swedish youth international midfielder Amin Boudri, it was announced on Saturday. The 21-year old comes from the top-flight club GAIS, where he accumulated 8g/2a in 53 appearances (he also has a goal from eight games with the Swedish U21 team). Deal terms weren’t publicly disclosed by Transfermarkt reports that the fee was around $3.8M. LAFC co-president and GM John Thorrington was quoted: “Amin is an incredibly talented young midfielder with excellent technique and the ability to both create and score goals. He is coming off a great year in Sweden, where he is recognized as one of the region’s best young players.”

San Jose Earthquakes – WTF?

San Jose Earthquakes continue to confound everyone by trimming their roster by one more player. This time it’s midfielder and US youth international Cruz Medina, who will be joining Liga MX side Chivas Guadalajara on loan for all of 2026. The 19 year-old homegrown player has logged 88 games with the Quakes’ MLS Next Pro side, scoring 13 times and contributing 7 assists. He will be rostered on Chivas’ second tier affiliate club Tapatío.