MLS Transfers: Every Designated Player signing and major deal in 2026

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Major League Soccer’s primary transfer window closed on March 26, while the secondary window will be open from 13 July until 2 September.

Ahead of the 2026 season, MLS made a handful of changes to its notoriously restrictive roster rules. There is now more budget flexibility for teams who decide to spend on under-22 players, and there are no longer limits on cash transfers.

The implementation of cash transfers has led to some intriguing deals within the league over the past 12 months, and this offseason was no exception. Plus, the primary transfer window no longer runs until the end of April.

Instead, the secondary transfer window in the summer now stretches to September, which means it aligns with the European summer transfer window. That is a key change with MLS set to move to an August-May season in 2027, which will help the league further align with Europe's schedule.

Below, FootballTransfers has listed every Designated Player (underlined) signing and major deal in MLS in 2026.

Antoine Griezmann: Atletico Madrid to Orlando City - Free Transfer

France and Atletico Madrid legend Antoine Griezmann will join struggling Orlando City in the summer after turning down a move in the primary transfer window.

The iconic forward will fulfil his long-held ambition of playing in MLS, and Atleti are believed to have even agreed to let him join Orlando on a free transfer despite the fact that he still had a year remaining on his contract.

Josh Sargent: Norwich City to Toronto FC - €18.7m

The biggest deal of the 2026 offseason, Toronto FC managed to get their hands on USMNT striker Josh Sargent after a lengthy saga that even saw him banished from Norwich City's first team because he was pushing for the move.

Ultimately, Toronto coughed up a hefty upfront fee of €18.7m to secure their top target. It is believed that bonuses can make Sargent the most expensive signing in MLS history by taking his cost beyond the €22m LAFC paid for Son Heung-min in the summer of 2025.

Walker Zimmerman: Nashville SC to Toronto FC - Free Transfer

Two-time MLS Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman left Nashville SC, who revamped their back line, to bring experience to a rebuilding Toronto FC side under second-year head coach Robin Fraser.

Rodrigo de Paul: Atletico Madrid to Inter Miami - €15m

Argentina international Rodrigo de Paul spent the second half of 2025 on loan at Inter Miami from Atletico Madrid. Although it was an open secret that the midfielder would join the Herons permanently, the initial deal had to be a loan due to the club's lack of an available DP slot.

With Sergio Busquets having retired after a triumphant 2025 season, De Paul has taken his place on the roster after his move was made permanent for €15m.

German Berterame: Monterrey to Inter Miami - €12.6m

Despite re-signing veteran striker Luis Suarez to a new contract, Inter Miami decided to splash out on Monterrey forward German Berterame, who was previously close to joining the Portland Timbers and FC Cincinnati.

A reliable striker in Liga MX, the Mexico international arrived with big expectations. However, he has so far struggled to live up to the hype.

Tadeo Allende: Celta de Vigo to Inter Miami - €5m

Like De Paul, Tadeo Allende spent 2025 on loan at Miami, and he proved to be one of the main beneficiaries of Lionel Messi's brilliance. He scored 24 goals across all competitions, including a record-setting nine in the playoffs.

Incredibly, his move was made permanent for just €5m, and he does not occupy a DP slot.

Sergio Reguilon: Free Agent to Inter Miami - Free Transfer

After Jordi Alba's retirement, Inter Miami needed a new left back. So, they decided to sign a longtime LaLiga player in former Real Madrid (and Manchester United) defender Sergio Reguilon.

Thomas Muller: New contract at Vancouver

Germany legend Thomas Muller has re-signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps on a DP deal after leading the Canadian side to the final of MLS Cup in his first half-season in the league.

Muller agreed to play his first few months with the Caps on a minuscule salary because the club had no more DP spots. He is now believed to be one of the best-paid players in the league.

Timo Werner: RB Leipzig to San Jose Earthquakes - Free Transfer

Former Chelsea forward Timo Werner completed his long-awaited move to MLS in January, but he did not join RB Leipzig's sister club in New Jersey.

Instead, Werner was convinced by the legendary Bruce Arena to join the San Jose Earthquakes in the biggest deal in club history - even though no transfer fee was paid.

Facundo Torres: Palmeiras to Austin FC - €8m

Torres struggled to replicate his MLS form in Brazil, so he decided to return to MLS with Austin FC. Los Verdes also signed Jayden Nelson from the Vancouver Whitecaps, and these two wingers could make them one of the league's most exciting teams.

Louis Munteanu: CFR Cluj to DC United - €6m

Louis Munteanu will be primarily responsible for replacing Christian Benteke's production after the Belgian left for United Arab Emirates-based club Al-Wadha. Munteanu netted three goals and five assists in 21 matches in 2025/26 at Cluj, but he scored 25 goals in 42 appearances in 2024/25.

Tai Baribo: Philadelphia Union to DC United - €3.4m

The Philadelphia Union decided to cash in on Tai Baribo, transferring him to DC United after an 18-goal season. He will partner with Munteanu to replace Benteke's goals.

Mateusz Bogusz: Cruz Azul to Houston Dynamo - €5.5m

The face of the Houston Dynamo's attacking rebuild, Mateusz Bogusz has returned to MLS after previously starring for LAFC.

The Dynamo agreed to pay €5.5m for the Poland international after a disappointing year at Cruz Azul.

Guilherme: Santos to Houston Dynamo - €1.8m

The Dynamo also spent a fee on veteran winger Guilherme, which already looks like a hugely exciting piece of business.

The former Santos star has brought Brazilian flair to Houston and is terrorising defenders with his quick movements.

Hector Herrera: Toluca to Houston Dynamo - Free Transfer

Returning to Houston after a season at Toluca in his native Mexico, Hector Herrera will attempt to recapture his 2023 form when he scored six goals with 15 assists. Since then, he has scored three goals with five assists.

Jorge Ruvalcaba: Pumas to Red Bull New York - €5.5m

The New York Red Bulls made two exciting winger signings in the offseason, bringing dual nationals Cade Cowell and Jorge Ruvalcaba back to the States from Mexico.

While Cowell joined on loan, Ruvalcaba was signed permanently for €5.5m. So far, however, his end product has been severely lacking.

Morgan Guilavogui: RC Lens to Real Salt Lake - €5m

Real Salt Lake made Guinea international Morgan Guilavogui the second-most-expensive signing in club history when they paid RC Lens €5m to acquire him.

Guilavogui had previously impressed on loan at St. Pauli in the Bundesliga, but the Germans were unable to make his stay permanent. Their loss has been RSL's gain because Guilavogui has looked great in the early stages of the season.

Pep Biel: Olympiacos to Charlotte FC - €3.5m

After a successful first full season in MLS with 10 goals and 11 assists, Spanish attacking midfielder Pep Biel made his loan to Charlotte FC permanent.

Luca de la Torre: Celta de Vigo to Charlotte FC - €300k

USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre moved to MLS permanently to try to make a claim for a spot on the World Cup squad.

He scored five goals with one assist last season on loan at San Diego FC, but the SoCal side was unable to keep him. Instead, he has joined Charlotte.

Cristian Espinoza: San Jose Earthquakes to Nashville SC - Free Transfer

San Jose decided to let Cristian Espinoza, the club's former record signing, walk in free agency. He can produce goals and assists at both wing-back and winger, and has already been a very good signing for Nashville.

Adrian Gill: Barcelona Atletic to Atlanta United - Free Transfer

Adrian Gill was unable to break into the first team at Barcelona, so the 20-year-old prospect moved back to his home country after spending seven years at La Masia.

Other notable deals from around MLS

Tomas Jacob: Necaxa to Atlanta United - €4.3m

Ezekiel Alladoh: Brommapojkarna to Philadelphia Union - €3.9m

Lasse Berg Johnsen: Malmo to Sporting KC - €3.5m

Tiago: Bahia to Orlando City SC - €3.4m

Amin Boudri: GAIS to Los Angeles FC - €3.3m

Bruno Damiani: Nacional to Philadelphia Union - €3.3m

Loic Williams: FC Granada to Colorado Rapids - €3m

Hamzat Ojediran: RC Lens to Colorado Rapids - €3m

Luis Otavio: Intercional to Orlando City SC - €3m

Anton Saletros: AIK to Chicago Fire - €2.7m

Bryan Ramirez: LDU Quito to FC Cincinnati - €2.6m

Stijn Spierings: Brondby to Real Salt Lake - €2.5m

Elias Baez: San Lorenzo to Atlanta United - €2.5m

Mbekezeli Mbokazi: Orlando Pirates to Chicago Fire - €2.5m

Nariman Akhundzada: Qarabag to Columbus Crew - €2.5m

Cole Bassett: Colorado Rapids to Portland Timbers - €2.3m

Jose Caicedo: Atletico San Luis to Portland Timbers - €2.2m

Agustin Anello: Boston River to Philadelphia Union - €2.2m

Juan Manuel Sanabria: Atletico San Luis to Real Salt Lake - €2.1m

Joao Klauss: St. Louis City to LA Galaxy - €2m

Ayoub Jabbari: Grenoble to FC Cincinnati - €2m

Conrad Wallem: Slavia Prague to St. Louis City - €2m

Capita: Radomiak to Sporting KC - €2m

Philippe Ndinga: Degerfors IF to Philadelphia Union - €1.9m

Georgi Minoungou: Seattle Sounders to Colorado Rapids - €1.8m

Alex Bonetig: Western Sydney Wanderers to Portland Timbers - €1.7m

David Ayala: Portland Timbers to Inter Miami - €1.7m

Felipe Andrade: Fluminense to Houston Dynamo - €1.7m

Juan Jose Arias: Atletico Nacional to Real Salt Lake - €1.7m

Onni Valakari: Pafos FC to San Diego FC - €1.5m

Ran Binyamin: Hapoel Tel Aviv to FC Dallas - €1.5m

Japhet Sery Larsen: Brann to Philadelphia Union - €1.5m

Lucas Halter: Botafogo to Houston Dynamo - €1.4m

Maxwell Woledzi: Fredrikstad to Nashville SC - €1.3m

Jayden Nelson: Vancouver Whitecaps to Austin FC - €1m

Jakob Glesnes: Philadelphia Union to LA Galaxy - €935k

Justin Che: Brondby to New York Red Bulls €850k

Jacob Shaffelburg: Nashville SC to Los Angeles FC - €850k

Rocco Rios Novo: Lanus to Inter Miami - €500k

Griffin Yow: Westerlo to New England Revolution - €550k

Lewis Morgan: New York Red Bulls to San Diego FC - €383k

Matheus Nascimento: Botafogo to LA Galaxy - Loan

Cade Cowell: Chivas to New York Red Bulls - Loan

Robin Lod: Minnesota United to Chicago Fire - Free Transfer

Dayne St. Clair: Minnesota United to Inter Miami - Free Transfer

Andre Gomes: Lille to Columbus Crew - Free Transfer

Stephen Eustaquio: FC Porto to LAFC - Loan

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