Top 2025 MLS Summer Transfers
- Rylee Mckinney
- Aug 22
- 3 min read
By Rylee McKinney
The 2025 MLS summer transfer window has officially come to an end. Don’t be sad that it’s over; be glad it happened!
Charlotte FC walked away with two new players. The team kicked off the window by signing former Nottingham Forest fullback Harry Toffolo to a three-year contract.
With the departure of Patrick Agyemang, Charlotte was in need of a striker to compete with Idan Toklomati. As a result, Australian forward Archie Goodwin joined the team on a $2 million contract.
Toward the end of the window, Charlotte signed goalkeeper Drake Callender from Inter Miami and midfielder Rodolfo Aloko, who will join Crown Legacy.
Although Charlotte secured strong signings, the league as a whole saw some big names arrive in MLS.
Here’s a look at some of the most notable summer transfer signings:
Rodrigo De Paul | Inter Miami CF
After more than a decade in Europe, Rodrigo De Paul joined Inter Miami through the end of the 2025 season. The deal brings De Paul on loan from Atlético Madrid with the option to sign a four-year Designated Player contract through 2029.
With Atlético Madrid this season, the Argentine midfielder played 2,113 minutes and started in 23 matches. He scored three goals and recorded five assists.
The signing was finalized on July 25, and De Paul debuted for Miami in a Leagues Cup match against Atlas FC. He started and played the full 90 minutes alongside Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez, and Jordi Alba.
Thomas Müller | Vancouver Whitecaps
In a back-and-forth negotiation among Vancouver, FC Cincinnati, and Bayern Munich, the Vancouver Whitecaps secured attacking midfielder/forward Thomas Müller.
Cincinnati, which held Müller’s discovery rights, made an offer in April. But Müller declined, leaving Cincinnati without him. Vancouver then struck a deal with Cincinnati for those rights for up to $400,000 in general allocation money.
Müller spent 17 seasons with Bayern, scoring 250 goals in 756 appearances across all competitions. He helped the club win 12 league titles.
Son Heung-Min | LAFC
In an emotional goodbye, Son Heung-min ended his 10-year stint with Tottenham Hotspur this summer. He scored 173 goals in 454 appearances for Spurs.
The deal between LAFC and Tottenham was valued at about $26.5 million. That set a new MLS record transfer fee, surpassing the $22 million Atlanta United paid for Emmanuel Latte Lath.
Overnight, Son’s jersey sales skyrocketed. LAFC general manager John Thorrington said his shirt even outsold those of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Lionel Messi.
Djordje Mihailovic | Toronto FC
As the season heads toward Matchday 30, Toronto FC sits in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. In early August, Toronto acquired attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic from the Colorado Rapids.
The deal was worth $8 million, with up to $1 million in conditional cash if performance-based incentives are met. Colorado also retained a sell-on percentage.
In 2025 alone, Mihailovic has played 26 matches, scoring nine goals and adding six assists.
Jose Cifuentes | Toronto FC
MLS also welcomed back Ecuadorian midfielder Jose Cifuentes on a loan deal with Toronto FC. The move, first reported by César Luis Merlo, keeps Cifuentes with Toronto through next summer with a purchase option.
Cifuentes previously made 102 appearances with LAFC from 2020 to 2023. Afterward, he signed with Scottish Premiership side Rangers, with loans to Cruzeiro in Brazil and Aris in Greece.
Internationally, Cifuentes has 21 caps for Ecuador and was on the 2022 World Cup squad.
Wessam Abou Ali | Columbus Crew
Early in the window, the Columbus Crew signed forward Wessam Abou Ali as a Designated Player. The contract runs through 2027 with a club option for 2028.
Abou Ali stood out with Egyptian Premier League club Al Ahly in 2024 and 2025, recording 38 goals and 10 assists in 60 appearances.
He led the Egyptian league in scoring in 2023-24, reaching double-digit goals in both seasons.
Joel Waterman | Chicago Fire FC
After five seasons with CF Montréal, Joel Waterman was acquired by Chicago Fire FC in the final hours of the window. Montréal received $200,000 in general allocation money for 2025, $300,000 for 2026, and up to $100,000 more if certain conditions are met.
Waterman started 125 of 130 regular-season matches for Montréal. He also captained the team in several matches and helped win the 2021 Canadian Championship.
Internationally, Waterman has 10 caps for Canada, appearing in the CONCACAF Nations League, Gold Cup, Copa América, and FIFA World Cup.
Summary
What a summer transfer window it has been for MLS this year! With major names like De Paul, Müller, and Heung-Min, the MLS might just be stepping up its game in regards to global soccer.
Within the league itself, major signings like these are increasing competition between the East and West conferences. Hopefully, these signings will also attract more international attention, which will only help MLS develop as a whole.
*All Stats taken from Fotmob
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