The staggering numbers behind MLS’ record-breaking transfer window
Son Heung-min’s MLS move helps set transfer window record
- Major League Soccer clubs spent approximately $336 million on players this summer, setting a new transfer spending record, nearly doubling the previous record of $188 million from 2024.
- The league's headline deal was Son Heung-min's move to LAFC, and MLS teams broke the individual transfer fee record three times in 2025, with Son's reported $26.5 million deal being the highest.
- Eight clubs established new internal transfer records, and nearly half of all MLS teams have completed a club-record signing within the last two years.
- There were 169 international arrivals in 2025 from 50 countries, with Brazil, Argentina, England, and Portugal being the most targeted top-flight leagues.
- The US ranked sixth globally in transfer expenditure ($145million) and seventh in revenue ($125 million) between January 1 and February 4, with a new "cash-for-player" trade rule reshaping intra-league movement.