MLS Transfers: Every Designated Player signing and major deal so far

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Major League Soccer’s transfer window is in full swing, and it stays open until March 26.

MLS has 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 has been 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 (DP) signing and major deal in MLS as of January 27.

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.

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 La Liga 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.

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

Luca de la Torre, with 32 senior United States National Team caps to his name, has moved to MLS permanently to try and 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.

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.

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.

Walker Zimmerman: Nashville SC to Toronto FC - Free Transfer

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

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.

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, but at 30 years old, it may be fair to wonder how long he will maintain his high levels of play in MLS.

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.

Other notable deals from around MLS

Tomas Jacob: Necaxa to Atlanta United - €4.3m

Ezekiel Alladoh: Brommapojkarna to Philadelphia Union - €3.9m

Tiago: Bahia to Orlando City SC - €3.4m

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

Luis Otavio: Intercional to Orlando City SC - €2.95m

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

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

Guilherme: Santos to Houston Dynamo - €1.8m

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

Felipe Andrade: Fluminense to Houston Dynamo - €1.7m

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 - €1.35m

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

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