The five biggest MLS transfers of the summer so far

Martin Macdonald

19 Aug 2025 13:00 BST
3 min read

Unlike European clubs, and particularly clubs in the Premier League, Major League Soccer teams don't have hundreds of millions of dollars to spend on new recruits every summer.

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That forces clubs in the United States and Canada to act shrewdly in the transfer market, with the occasional superstar recruited alongside lesser-known names as well as up-and-coming wonderkids.

MLS has grown in stature since the turn of the millennium and the current progress the competition has made can partly be attributed to LA Galaxy's acquisition of David Beckham in the mid-noughties as the arrival of Golden Balls benefited the infrastructure of the league as a whole, while it also gained plenty of new media and fan attention.

In the summer of 2025, one club completed MLS's most expensive purchase ever.

So, let's have a look at the five most expensive recruits of this summer so far.

5. Kristoffer Velde - Olympiacos to Portland ($5.25m)

When Jonathan Rodriguez suffered a season-ending injury, Portland were forced to quickly find a replacement as they look to solidify their spot in the play-offs.

They turned to Greek side Olympiacos and left-winger Kristoffer Velde, whom they purchased for around $5.25m to add as a Designated Player.

Velde has 62 goals and 39 assists in his career which has spanned FK Haugesund,Lech Poznan and Olympiacos.

4. Wessam Abou Ali - Ahly SC to Columbus ($7.5m)

Toronto have failed to truly replace Cucho Hernandez since his big-money switch to Real Betis at the turn of the year.

Hungarian striker Daniel Gazdag, signed for $4.5m, was meant to be that replacement but has just two goal involvements to his name his since, hence the dip into the transfer market again.

Columbus hope that Wessam Abou Ali, previously of Ahly SC, could finally be the man to lead the line.

3. Djordje Mihailovic - Colorado to Toronto ($8m)

By far the biggest internal deal in the MLS this summer has seen Djordje Mihailovic leave Colorado for Toronto for a cool $8m fee.

Toronto have had major issues with overseas imports that have flopped in recent years, so they have opted to sign a player who has experience playing in the competition.

He departs Colorado with 39 goal involvements in 63 appearances.

2. Nicolas Fernandez Mercau - Elche to New York City ($9.3m)

New York City needed to replace Santi Rodriguez who departed for Botafogo for around $16 million and they have used a large portion of that money to sign Argentine forward Nicolas Fernandez Mercau from Elche.

Nico has already played twice for NYCFC and his presence has been felt already. On his debut against FC Dallas he recorded a lovely assist, while in his second appearance, his through-ball was crucial in the build-up for the opening goal in the Leagues Cup fixture with Club Leon.

If certain conditions in the deal are met, he will become the club's most expensive ever signing.

1. Heung-min Son - Tottenham to Los Angeles FC ($26m)

One player who is certainly their club's most expensive ever signing is Heung-min Son, who left Tottenham for Los Angeles FC this summer for $26m.

He is the most expensive player in the history of Major League Soccer.

And, you can see why LAFC bought him - at his peak, he was one of the best wingers in Europe and helped Tottenham win the Europa League last season as well as reach the Champions League final a few years ago.

Son has shown signs of slowing down in the last 18 months, but that doesn't mean he won't light up the competition in the MLS.