The 10 Most Expensive MLS Transfers of All Time – Ranked from 10-1

September 19, 2025 Kris Isaksen

Major League Soccer has come a long way in attracting international stars—not just with high-profile free transfers like Messi and Beckham, but also with increasingly hefty fees. From rising talents to global icons, these are the ten most expensive MLS signings to date, ranked from the least to the most costly.

10. Aleksei Miranchuk – $13.8m (Atalanta to Atlanta United)

Atlanta United's obsession with flair-filled midfielders continued with Aleksei Miranchuk, who arrived from Atalanta in mid-2024. The Russian playmaker has since impressed with 11 goals and 7 assists, quickly becoming the creative heartbeat of the team.

9. Brenner – $13.9m (São Paulo to FC Cincinnati)

Brenner’s initial season at Cincinnati was underwhelming, but he bounced back in 2022 with a breakout campaign. Though his European stint with Udinese flopped, his 2025 return on loan suggests unfinished business in MLS.

8. Myrto Uzuni – $14m (Granada to Austin FC)

Albanian striker Myrto Uzuni joined Austin FC for a club-record fee after thriving in Spain. While his early days in Texas were quiet, he’s since found form and is now pivotal to Austin’s playoff push.

7. Hirving Lozano – $14m (PSV to San Diego FC)

San Diego FC made a massive splash ahead of their inaugural season by signing Hirving Lozano. The Mexican star’s impact was immediate, helping the expansion side soar to the top of the Western Conference.

6. Esequiel Barco – $14.4m (Independiente to Atlanta United)

Atlanta paid big for Barco in 2018, but his MLS stint was marred by off-field controversy and inconsistency. Despite flashes of brilliance, he never truly delivered on his potential before moving to River Plate.

5. Gonzalo ‘Pity’ Martinez – $17m (River Plate to Atlanta United)

Pity Martinez arrived as South America’s top player but failed to shine in MLS. Though he won a few domestic trophies, he couldn’t replace Miguel Almiron’s influence and left after just over a year.

4. Thiago Almada – $16m (Vélez Sarsfield to Atlanta United)

Unlike many Atlanta big-money signings, Almada delivered in style, winning multiple MLS awards and helping Argentina to a World Cup win. His rise has continued in Brazil, France, and now at Atletico Madrid.

3. Kevin Denkey – $16.2m (Cercle Brugge to FC Cincinnati)

Kévin Denkey — By Bryan Berlin – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=166557949

Kevin Denkey arrived in Cincinnati with an impressive goal record from Belgium and quickly hit the ground running. His 15 goals in 29 appearances have made him one of the league’s most effective new forwards.

2. Emmanuel Latte Lath – $22m (Middlesbrough to Atlanta United)

Signed to break the MLS transfer record at the time, Latte Lath began his Atlanta stint brightly but has cooled off significantly. With a long-term contract, the club still hopes he can recapture his Boro form.

1. Heung-min Son – $26.5m (Tottenham to LAFC)

A marquee arrival in every sense, Son Heung-min’s move from Spurs to LAFC set a new league record. With a goal and an assist already under his belt, the South Korean legend is poised to make a major impact in MLS.