Transfers & Contracts MLS 2025 Roster and Transfers

We are starting to get Roster updates for the 2025 MLS season so I've been putting some graphics together.

A Few things to note. If they are listed as being In Discussion it means either they were out of contract and a deal hasn't been finalised yet or they had an option but the club didn't want too keep them on the existing terms so are trying to renegade it

And even if an option was declined or they are out of contract its possible the club might go back in with a new deal for them before the free agent deadline

And I've marked any player that one of us has in their gallery so it directly impacts us

There are also some notes on things that might impact next season like transfer rumours (in & out), manager changes and players who might have their deals bought out (mainly DP's a club might want rid of to open a DP spot)

 

Ok here are the roster reports and notes on incoming, outgoings and transfer rumours for all 29 clubs. Impacts decent number of all of our players

@Chippy @derrickh100

 

No problem

 

Some updates

Chicago Fire
Georgios Koutsias has gone on loan to FC Lugano as I mentioned might happen in notes

LAFC
Aaron Long will remain at LAFC after agreeing a new deal through 2027

Atlanta United
Jamal Thiare has agreed a new deal through next season with an option for 2026

San Diego/New York Red Bulls
San Diego have acquired ANDRES REYES from New York Red Bulls for $800k split over the next 2 seasons plus a sell on fee

FC Dallas
Alan Velasco has signed a new deal through 2028 with an option for 2029

 

We had the first round of the re-entry draft yesterday.

As a reminder because of the way the MLS works players are owned by the league so even if their contract with the club ends the MLS still holds rights on them so any player who meets the following criteria enters the re-entry draft

During the Re-Entry Draft, MLS clubs can select players who are at least 22 years old, have a minimum of one service year, and who are not eligible for Free Agency. An out-of-contract player who has received a Bona Fide Offer from his current club will not be eligible for the Re-Entry Draft.

Players can choose to Opt-Out​

Every club gets one pick of any player on this list although they can choose to pass even if there is a player they want (as there are the stipulations on what wage that has to be paid, you might instead feel like you can wait it out and negotiate a lower wage via free-agency)

The draft order is in a reverse order ranking of teams playoff and regular season positions. And when we have a new expansion team like we have with San Diego this year they go last.

So in round 1 the first 17 teams passed (San Jose, Chicago, Kansas City, New England, Nashville,St.Louis, Philly, Toronto, DC, Dallas, Austin, Montreal, Portland, Vancouver, Colorado, Charlotte and Houston)

Pick 18 was for Real Salt Lake and they choose Forward Forster Ajago

Ajago played for Nashville last season who had signed him out of College where he was All-American in 2023 (All-American is a 'award' given in American College sport by the NCAA for the best athletes in each sport. With Football/Soccer they pick 3 teams of 12 players to be All American. Ajago was selected in the 2nd team. Interesting former Man Utd and Bradford City Youngster Eliot Goldthorp was also a 2023 All-American picked in the 1st team). He played 12 times in the MLS but spent most of his time playing for Nasville's B side Huntersville City in MLS Next Pro

I guess I need to also explain how the US league structure works.

• You obviously have no promotion or relegations but you still have tiers.
• The MLS at the top tier
• Then you have the USL.
  • The USL used to be a mix of independent teams and Reserve teams for MLS side.
  • To a certain degree it was used as a testing ground for new franchises with a number of MLS teams including Orlando, Nashville and Cincinnati starting here
  • In 2022 the MLS decided to setup its own 'second league' and clubs pulled their reserve teams seeing the USL fall from over 30 teams to just 24.
  • They are on the rise again though with Oklahoma who shut down due to Covid looking to return in 2027 when their new stadium is finished, Lexington joining next season, Brooklyn, Jacksonville, Santa Barbara, Milwaukee, Ozark and Buffalo joining in 2026, USL Dallas in 2027 and Iowa and Palm Beach either 27 or 28
• Then you have Next pro
  • Next Pro has 29 clubs
  • 27 are Reserve teams for MLS sides
  • 2 are independent clubs (Carolina Core and Chattanooga FC)
    • There was a 3rd Rochester New York FC but they folded after the first season
  • In 2026 they will also add 3 more independents. Jacksonville Armada FC (A different one to the one launching in the USL), Connecticut United and Cleveland Pro Soccer)

Anyway back to the draft

Picks 19 -23 (Cincinnati, Columbus, Miami, Atlanta, New York City) were all passed

Pick 23 was Minnesota United who picked Defender Kipp Keller which is good for me. He has been in the MLS since 2022, firs with Austin and then Cinninnanati but only managed 28 games in that time, mainly playing for each teams reserve team. At 24 he is still young and could be a decent pickup

Pick 25 -29 (LAFC, Orlando, Seattle NY Red Bulls, LA Galaxy) all passed

Pick 30 was San Diego and they used their son Goalkeeper Jacob Jackson
He is 24 and has been in the MLS since 2022. He was a first round Super Draft Pick which is the college draft (24th pick overall) for New England revs in 2022. He managed 2 league and 1 playoff appearances for them in 2023 but was let go in 2024 where he was picked up by San Jose but only managed 3 games. He spent more time playing for New England Rev 2 and The Town FC (San Jose's reserve team) in MLS Next pro.

We have a 2nd round of Re-entry drafts on the 19th. I would imagine San Diego will pick up another player as they need to put together a full roster before February but will be interesting if anyone else bites the bullet as there are certainly some useful names still on the Re-entry draft list including a few that impact us.



And outside the draft we have some other contract/transfer news

Atlanta United have agreed a new deal with right back Ronald Hernández. This is for 2025 with an option for 2026

Orlando have agreed a single year deal with defender Kyle Smith

Further news from Orlando is Striker Duncan McGuire has had surgery to fix an issue with his Labral and Rotator Cuff. Will keep him out for 4-5 months so will miss the start of the season. He had a great season so this might be a good chance to pick him up really cheap. Might push Orlando to enter the market for another striker though.

And San Diego have been teasing a big signing thats close to be announced. They have been linked with KdB and also Sergio Ramos BUT their announcement does strangly lineup with Paul Pogba teasing an announcement on his future. In the MLS Pogba has been linked with a move to Miami and in Europe with Marseille and even back to Man Utd (I hope that false. As talented as he is he is soooo lazy. He wants to play how he wants to play and not do a job for the team which in the PL doesn't work) as well as maybe going to Saudi


@derrickh100 @Chippy

 

Some more MLS transfers and contract news

DC United have signed the 22-year-old Brazilian winger João Peglow from Polish clubs Radomiak Radom. He is under contract until 2027 with an Option for 2028

New York City FC have sold midfielder Nicolás Acevedo to Brazilian Club Esporte Clube Bahia

Alejandro Bedoya has signed a new deal with Philadelphia Union. The 37-year-old will also continue his role of 'Player development and front office specialist' that he was appointed to at the start of 2024

FC Dallas have signed 21-year-old Brazilian Pedro Martins from their MLS Next pro affiliate club North Texas SC. It's a 1 season deal with options for both 2026 and 2027

Chicago Fire FC have made the free agency signing of English Centre Back Jack Elliott. It was a little surprising that Philadelphia didn't renew his deal but he should be an excellent addition to Fire's backline. It's a 1 year contract with an option for 2026

Orlando City SC have signed 17-year-old midfielder Colin Guske from their MLS Next Pro affiliate Orlando City B. The deal is through 2027 with an option for 2028

 

Here's the latest batch of transfers and contract renewals

Nashvilles Sean Davis has gone to LA Galaxy with Gaston Brugman heading the other direction along with uptown $100k in General Allocation Money

New England have signed Leo Campana from Inter Miami. Miami will receive upto $3.25million in GAM, retain a sell on percentage and will receive one of New Englands International slots for the 2025 and 2026 seasons (Could this slot be for either Neymar or Pogba?)

Anibal Godoy has signed for San Diego FC after Nashville declined to pick up their option on him. He has signed for 2025 with options for both 2026 and 2027. He holds a US Green Card so doesn't occupy an international roster slot (Good for BantamTalk)

FC Dallas have picked up Lalas Abubaker through the 2026 season with an option for 2027. He spent the last 6 season with Colorado Rapids

DC United have acquired Lukas MacNaughton from Nashville. Nashville will receive upto $200k GAM, $150k which is guaranteed in 2025 and $50k conditionally in 2026

Former New England Revolution defender Nick Lima has signed for San Jose Earthquakes through 2026 with an option for 2027 (Good for @derrickh100)

FC Dallas have signed 31-year-old Brazilian Ramiro Benetti. The experienced winger most recently played for Brazilian side Cruzeiro

New England Revolution have signed Free Agent Jackson Yueill through 2027 with options for both 2028 and 2029. He spent the last 8 years at San Jose Earthquakes. He was the overall 6th Pick in the 2017 SuperDraft (Aka The College Draft)

New York Red Bulls have officially signed 35-year-old former Bayern Munich forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. He is under contract through 2026 with an option for 2027. He will occupy one of Red Bulls Designated player roster slots and one of their international roster slots

Minnesota United have sold Miguel Tapias to LIGA MX side Chivas. They will received over $1million.

Houston Dynamo have signed free agent goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer through the 2026 season. He spent the last 8 seasons at FC Dallas

Columbus Crew have re-signed goalkeeper Evan Bush through the 2025 season.

Chicago Fire have signed winger Omari Glasgow from their MLS Next Pro affiliate Chicago Fire II. He is signed through the 2026 season with options for 27 and 28.

Oh and while not confirmed by the MLS yet Orlandos Facundo Torres looks like he has signed of Brazilian club Palmer's. Luckily for @Chippy they play in a covered league


We have also the second stage of the Re-entry Draft that just happened. This consisted of two rounds..

Picks 1 - 8 (San Jose, Chicago, Kansas City, New England, Nashville, St.Louis, Philly and Toronto) all Passed
Pick 9 - DC United selected Wing Back Derek Dodson. He was previously with Minnesota United
Picks 10 - 29 (Dallas, Austin, Montreal, Portland, Vancouver, Colorado, Charlotte, Houston, Salt lake, Cincinnati, Columbus, Miami, Atlanta, New York City, Minnesota, LAFC, Orlando, Seattle, New York Red Bulls, LA Galaxy) all Passed
Pick 30 - San Diego selected former Columbus Crew winger (and former Man City youngster) Yaw Yeboah (Good for me)

In the second round only DC United and San Diego were eligible,

Pick 31 - DC United declined
Pick 32 - San Diego selected Franco Negri, Negri spent the past two seasons with Inter Miami

Tomorrow we have the Super Draft. It's not massively relevant as none of these players will have cards seeing as they are fresh out of College but I will post a full list as there are potentially some names to look out for when new MLS cards are reeled, especially those high up in the first round of picks



Finally here are some rumours of moves in and out of the league

• New York City's look to have a fight on to keep Santiago Rodríguez. Brazilian Club Cruzeiro are rumoured to be closing in on a deal to sign him although fellow Brazilian club Corinthians may try and hijack the deal
• Inter Miami are rumoured to be looking at Real Betis defender Marc Barta
• Inter Miami are also being linked with Goalkeeper Nahuel Losada currently at Argentinian club Lanus (This may impact @Chippy who owns current number 1 Drake Callender)
• Leeds United could make a move for Real Salt Lakes 21-year-old attacking Midfielder Diego Luna
• San Jose Earthquakes could make a move for Mexican Club Monterreys striker Brandon Vasquez
• Kaiserslautern attacker Aaron Opoku is reported to have verbally agreed to join St.Lous City
• Kai Wagner has a $2million release clause which is said to have interested Championship sides Burley and Coventry as well as Seria A sides Atlanta and Parma. He consistently scores high in Sorara so will be a big loss

 

Here is the Superdraft picks

A quick thing on this, usually in American Sports College drafts the number 1 pick is the biggest prospect but the MLS college draft has an extra caveat. Unlike other sports in the US that have college drafts there Football actually has serious competition for young players as clubs around the world will pay young players alot to join their academies. So to keep the best in their system they have this thing called Generation Adidas.

Here contracts are given to players who aren't eligible for the draft as they haven't completed college (usually this is College freshmen but you get people like the infamous Fredy Adu who was still in High school) so they can then enter the draft. These contracts have to be above the Senior Minimum Salary and are usually well over it so they get significantly more than other son the draft get However they don't count against the Salary cap which makes them more appealing to pick up. The player also gets a guarantee of a Scholarship after they finish playing football if they want to complete or start their college degree (as they won't get a sports scholarship from the college like they would have before bcause they are professionals so are ineligible for College sport)


Another thing its not uncommon for player trades to include future draft picks so while everyone is supposed to have 1 pick in each round some can end up not having a pick in a round while others might have multiple. It can also get complicated because trading of draft picks can be over multiple years and then a team might trade a spot that they got off someone else. Which is how Colorado ended up with like 5 first round picks







Many of these will end up just playing for the Next gen team but certainly worth keeping an eye out on these especially the first round picks and the highest picks (and obviously the Generation Adidas ones)


Oh and we also have more trading/contract news

• Will Reilly has signed for Atlanta United from their Next Gen Side Atlanta 2
• Orlando City have confirmed that Facundo Torres has joined Brazilian side Palmeiras for $14million
• New York Red Bulls have signed German Centre Back Alexander Hack through 2026 with an option for 2027. He was previously playing in Saudi
• Atlanta United have signed former Leeds Scum Mateusz Klich from DC United. DC United receive upto $50k in GAM and a SuperDraft pick
• Chicago Fire have signed Dylan Borso from their Next Gen side
• Philadelphia Union have signed Centre back Ian Glavinovich from Argentinian side Newell's Old Boys
• Real Salt Lake have signed striker Elias Manoel from New York Red Bulls. Red Bulls get $700k in GAM and a Sell on percentage. Real Salt Lake have also received four SuperDraft picks
• New England Revolution have signed Keeper Alex Bono who was recently released by DC United
• New England Revolution have signed defender Tanner Beason through 2026 with an option for 2027. He was previously with San Jose
• FC Dallas have acquired Forward Anderson Julio from Real Salt Lake. Real Salt Lake have received defender Sam Junqua in exchange and $400k in GAM with a potential $100k more based on incentives

Oh and on the Manager front

• Atlanta United have appointed former Celtic Manager Ronny Deila

@derrickh100 @Chippy

 

Got behind on these updates over Christmas so here is a big roundup.

• Portland have signed Costa Rican international Ariel Lassister via free agency after h was released by Chicago Fire. He has signed through 2026 with an option for 2027
  
  
• LAFC have signed former San Jose striker Jeremy Ebobisse as a free agent through 2027 with an option for 2028.
  
  
• LAFC have re-signed Centre Back Marlon through 2025 with an option for 2026
  
  
• Chicago Fire and Midfielder Gastón Giménez have agreed to mutually terminate his contract. This opens a second DP slot for them to use
  
  
• San Diego have signed Keeper Pablo Sisniega through 2025 with options for 2026 and 2027. He has played 33 times in the MLS between 2019 and 2023 but spent last season at USL Championship side San Antonio FC
  
  
• FC Dallas have signed right back Shaq Moore from Nashville. Nashville will receive $50k in GAM with a further $100k being due on achieving certain performance conditions. Nashville also retain a sell-on percentage of future transfers.
  
  
• San Jose have signed Keeper Earl Edwards Jr. from New England Revolution for $150k in GAM. He is most likely to fill a backup role
  
  
• Inter Miami have signed Forward Fafà Picault after he left Vancouver Whitecaps. Miami need defensive players so this makes a massive amount of sense (sarcasm)
  
  
• DC United have picked up Derek Dodson in stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft
  
  
• Austin FC have signed Ilie Sanchez through 2025 with an option for 2026. The midfielder was a free agent after being let go by LAFC
  
• New York City FC have loaned James Sands to German Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli. It was apparently the players choice, having spent a successful season on Loan at Rangers in 22-23 he apparently has always had an eye on returning to Europe
  
  
• New England Revolution have signed Luis Díaz on a free transfer. He previously played for Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa
  
• New England Revolution have sold winger Esmire Bajraktarevic to PSV Eindhoven for $6million. It's a pretty big loss as he is an immense talent and would have been a major part of the team in 2025. Also potentially not great for myself or @Chippy if he starts as only a bit part for PSV. Mind you they have lost Lozano to San Diego and there are a number of their attacking are being linked to bigger clubs so he might get thrown right in.
  
  
• Chicago Fire have sold Danish Centre Back Tobias Salquist to Danish side FC Nordsjaelland
  
• DC United have 18-Year-Old US youth international Matai Akinmboni to Bournemouth for $2.5mill plus an undisclosed sell-on fee
  
  
• Fabian Herbers has joined CF Montreal after he was released by Chicago. He is signed through 2026. This is again good for both myself and @Chippy
  
  
• San Diego have acquired Anisse Saidi from Philadelphia. Saidi is only 16 and has been signed to a home grown contract through 2028 with an option for 2029. Philadelphia receive $100k in GAM which is split over the next 2 seasons. They can receive upto an additional $250k and have both a sell-on and trade percentage (Sell-ons are for transfers out of the MLS, trade percentages for MLS Transfers)
  
  
• Montreal have loaned Forward Matías Cóccaro to Liga MX side Atlas FC. Atlas have a purchase option that can be activated at the end of the season
  
  
• Montreal have signed Midfielder Micheal Adedokun through 2025 with options for 2026, 2027 and 2028. He is actually their super draft pick, clubs don't always sign their picks, often their feeder club will sign them instead. Montreal signing Adedokun suggests they see him as being useful in the upcoming season
  
  
• LAFC have sold Left back Omar Campos to LIGA MX side Cruz Azul. He was actually played a decent amount but seemingly him and his family didn't really settle in the States
  
  
• Chicago Fire have signed winger Philip Zinckernagel from Belgium side Club Brugge. The 30-year-old Dane has signed on a 4 year deal
  
  
• Austin have paid a reported club record $10million to acquire US Mens National team striker Brandon Vazquez from Mexican side CF Monterrey. The contract is through 2028 with an option for 2029. He will take up one of Austins DP slots. Austin had to pay San Jose $100k for their MLS waiver slot to ensure they could make a move for him first.
  
  
• New England Revolution have recalled Noel Buck from his Loan to Southampton. He had failed to break into then Saints first team despite their Premier League struggles
  
  
• Montreal have signed LA Galaxy Centre Back Jalen Neal. He has signed through 2027 with an option for 2028. He is taking a U22 ininitive slot. LA Galaxy will receive $450k in GAM in 2025 and a further $200k in 2026. They also receive one of Montreals International roster spots in 2025 and retain a sell on percentage. @Chippy owns one of his cards, I'm not sure if this is a good thing for you or not but he should be a guaranteed starter.
  
  
• San Diego have signed New England Revolutions winger Emmanuel Boateng. New England will receive $200k in GAM
  
  
• New York Red Bulls have signed Striker Wiktor Bogacz from Polish second-division side Miedz Legnica. He will occupy a U22 initiative roster slot. The contract runs through 2028 with an option for 2029
  
  
• FC Dallas have agreed a 3-year-contract extension with midfielder Bernard Kamungo
  
• San Diego have picked up Franco Negri in the Re-Entry draft after he was released by Inter Miami. He is signed through 2025 with an option for 2026
  
  
• Montreal have signed Striker Giacomo Vrioni from New England Revs. The Revs will still pay a portion of his 2025 salary but will receive $50k in GAM and hold a sell on percentage. They will also free up one of their DP slots. He will occupy one of Montreals DP slots. This move impacts both myself and @Chippy. Personally I was hoping he might go back to Europe as it hasn't really worked for him in the MLS but Montreal seem to be putting real effort into building a string team and if they click he could show his potential
  
  
• Colorado Rapids have signed Sam Bassett as a homegrown player through 2025 with options for 2026, 2027 and 2028. He is the younger brother of the Rapids Cole Basset

With the winter Winter transfer window I have been trying to find an easy way of providing an Update for Europe but there are so many transfers doing it like this won't really work. I am trying to code something that will pick out only transfers involving our cards but I'm not sure I will get this working for this window (More likely the summer)