💰 The huge sums driving MLS’ rise in the global transfer market | OneFootball

MLS is no longer seen merely as a destination league for aging stars — it is rapidly becoming a key player in the global transfer market.

The summer of 2025 marked a watershed moment for the league, as MLS clubs smashed spending records, investing roughly $336 million in new talent, nearly double the 2024 total of $188 million.

The marquee move was Son Heung‑min’s transfer to LAFC for $26.5 million, easily the highest fee in MLS history. Son's move to Los Angeles marked the third time the MLS transfer record was broken in 2025 after Kevin Denkéy and Emmanuel Latte Lath's moves to FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United respectively.

In 2025 alone, MLS welcomed 169 players from 50 different countries, with Brazil, Argentina, England, and Portugal among the top markets for inbound signings.

Meanwhile, outgoing transfer activities have also surged: from January to early February, the U.S. ranked sixth worldwide in transfer spending and seventh in revenue, with outgoing fees up 126% versus 2024.

These developments reflect a structural shift. MLS isn’t just importing talent, it is competing globally to both buy and sell.

📸 Kevork Djansezian - 2025 Getty Images