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The 2025 transfer window highlights two key trends in Major League Soccer: the league’s growing role as a talent exporter and its continued efforts to attract top-tier players. High-profile departures like Thiago Almada and Caleb Wiley have generated record fees, while notable arrivals such as Hirving Lozano signal MLS’s ambition to remain competitive globally. Yet, this cycle of activity raises questions about financial pressures and the sustainability of this strategy, despite strong 2024 attendance figures across the league.
Key Departures: Record Fees for Rising Stars
Thiago Almada (Atlanta United → Botafogo, €27.00m)
Almada's transfer broke records, showcasing MLS’s ability to develop and sell elite talent. Atlanta United secured a massive return for their attacking midfielder, but his absence leaves a creative void. The club opted to sign Russian midfielder Aleksei Miranchuk for €12m, which has so far paid off. Atlanta made the playoffs, with Miranchuk contributing three goals in 14 appearances.
Diego Gómez (Inter Miami → Brighton, €12.00m)
Gómez’s move to the Premier League highlights MLS’s appeal as a gateway to Europe. Inter Miami, fresh off a playoff berth, loses a young midfielder with immense potential. Talasco Segovia, a 21-year-old Ecuadorian, has been tapped to replace Gómez in Miami.
Facundo Torres (Orlando City → Palmeiras, €14.00m)
The Uruguayan winger’s move to Brazil underlines MLS’s ties to South American clubs and the growing financial power of Brazilian teams. Orlando City receives a strong fee, but has yet to replace Torres in the free-agent market.
Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United → Chelsea, €5.00m)
Atlanta’s second major sale of the window reflects the league’s growing pipeline of homegrown talent. Wiley’s move to Chelsea signals European interest in MLS-developed players, especially at the fullback position. Caleb has the potential to follow in the footsteps of players like Antonee Robinson, becoming a key figure for club and country.
Sebastián Driussi (Austin FC → River Plate, €9.75m)
Driussi’s return to Argentina after leading Austin FC in scoring is bittersweet. The club gains a record transfer fee but must rebuild its attack. So far, Austin has reinvested in Brandon Vazquez (€9.6m), Osman Bukari (€7m), and Argentine midfielder Nicolás Dubersarky (€6m), signaling an aggressive rebuild.
Austin FC midfielder Sebastian Driussi is headed to River Plate. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/hFBkFLsAxi
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 17, 2025
Moïse Bombito (Colorado Rapids → OGC Nice, €7.00m)
Colorado leveraged Bombito’s rising stock to secure a solid fee. Despite his departure, the Rapids had a strong season, securing a playoff spot and qualifying for the CCL for the first time in years.
Winners and Losers of the MLS Transfer Window
Winners
San Diego FC
Landing Hirving Lozano (€12m) is a significant win for the new expansion team. Lozano brings immediate credibility, offensive firepower, and marketability in a city with one of the largest Latino populations in the U.S. San Diego enters the league with the potential to disrupt California's soccer hierarchy.
Vamos, Chucky. pic.twitter.com/fDpi04O55i
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) January 15, 2025
Atlanta United
Despite major departures, Atlanta has reinvested wisely. Rumors of Emmanuel Latte Lath joining from Middlesbrough for a record MLS fee suggest the club remains aggressive in its pursuit of trophies.
Losers
LAFC
Stipe Biuk’s underwhelming departure to Spain at a loss, combined with other outgoing players, marks the end of an era. The club has been quiet in the off season but is rumored to be pursuing a high-profile signing in Antoine Griezmann, to join Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris, to reestablish dominance. The Club also parted ways with Todd Saldaña, Director for LAFC's Academy.
HUGO 🧤 pic.twitter.com/JQPjFTbhH0
— LAFC (@LAFC) January 15, 2025
Orlando City
Losing Torres without securing a marquee replacement weakens Orlando’s attack. With the league’s new Cash for Player rules allowing greater financial flexibility, Orlando could target Evander from Portland. The move would bring a proven playmaker into a Brazilian-friendly market, but it’s unclear if the Lions can pull it off.
Balancing Act: Financial Pressure vs. On-Field Strength
While MLS clubs are cashing in on record transfer fees, the volume of departures suggests financial pragmatism is driving decisions in many front offices, even as attendance figures were strong in 2024. Incoming talent like Lozano and Vazquez provides excitement, but the league’s competitive balance may hinge on how well teams reinvest and integrate new signings. Additionally, MLS must fend off competition from developing markets like Brazil, which increasingly poach young talent en route to Europe.
The big question: Can this approach sustain on-field quality while MLS grows as a global player?
