The Biggest Signings in MLS History
By
Richard Janvrin
Freelance Writer Updated: 19 February 2024
Richard Janvrin Freelance Writer
Richard has been writing about sports since he was a teenager. Still, his first professional role came in 2015, covering all things NFL and fantasy football-related. From there, in December 2018, he started in the sports betting industry, covering sportsbook reviews before arriving to where he is today.
The Biggest Signings in MLS History
With Lionel Messi coming to Major League Soccer on a ludicrously expensive deal, we wondered what other MLS big signings have over the years. Below, we’ll highlight the five more expensive MLS signings. Remember, these aren’t necessarily the best MLS signings but undoubtedly the biggest contracts. Let’s dive into the biggest MLS signings to date.
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
Inter Miami and Messi agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $150 million in what is easily the most famous MLS signing. Along with that, there are additional compensation opportunities that could bring this deal to $1.6 billion. This includes salaries, bonuses, and endorsements from Apple and Adidas. This will surely spice up MLS online betting. Who doesn’t enjoy betting on Messi’s clubs?
When Messi made the decision, it still shocked the soccer world. He explained his reasoning for coming to the United States, though. According to The Athletic “I came here to play, to continue enjoying football, which is what I’ve loved my entire life. I can tell you that I’m very happy with the decision we’ve made, not only for the sporting side of things but also for my family, for the day-to-day, how we’ve enjoyed the city, the new experience. And the reception of the people in the city which has been extraordinary since day one..
Messi coming to the MLS was a groundbreaking announcement. He’s been considered the world’s best player for years, playing for Argentina, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain. Having played for Barcelona, you could consider Messi one of Europe’s big MLS signings. So far for Inter Miami, Messi has played six matches, one goal, and two assists. “We are in the place where we want to be” he told Marca. “I didn’t want to leave Barcelona, it was a decision that didn’t depend on me, and the change to Paris was from one day to the next. That change was complicated, but here in Miami it is the opposite, very different.”
When asked about the expansion of the sport in the United States, Messi made it clear his only goal was to enjoy his time in the MLS and with Miami. “I do not think about the expansion of soccer in the United States, I came here to enjoy soccer and I chose this place for that. I am very happy for the decision I made for my family, for the day to day and the great reception of the United States in general. The stay has been spectacular. I am very happy with the moment I am enjoying.”
David Beckham, LA Galaxy
In 2007, Beckham came to the L.A. Galaxy, and this was a Messi-like move. It changed the landscape of the MLS and the popularity of the sport. Beckham was never considered the best player in the world like Messi, but he played six seasons for the Galaxy. He played in 118 matches and scored 20 goals. In those final two years, the Galaxy won back-to-back MLS Cups. His deal was interesting as a clause allowed him to purchase an MLS expansion franchise for just $25 million. He signed with the Galaxy for five years and $250 million in July 2007.
Theirry Henry, New York
Coming to the United States in 2010 at the start of the Designated Player era, Henry brought life to New York. Here’s his salary by season:
- 2010: $5.6 million
- 2011: $5.6 million
- 2012: $5.6 million
- 2013: $4.35 million
- 2014: $4.35 million
In his time with New York, he scored 52 goals and 46 assists. Today, he coaches the French Under-21 team and is signed through 2025.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, LA Galaxy
Another Galaxy player makes the list here with Ibrahimovic. In a sport that’s not as popular, personalities are everything, and Ibrahimovic exemplifies that. Hailing from Sweden, Ibrahimovic scored 52 goals in 56 games for the Galaxy. He had some fantastic quotes during his time, including being a “Ferrari among Fiats.”
Here’s the full quote: “MLS is not the level of Europe, to be honest. Before, I played with players either on my level or close to it. This makes the game connection easier. … Here, I am like a Ferrari among Fiats. And the Ferrari can become the Fiat, or the Fiat can become the Ferrari. I had the same issue with the national [Swedish] team, though not as much. I said, ‘I don’t accept it. I don’t accept when the ball doesn’t arrive or arrives too late. I want them to come up to my level.’ All of this makes me slow down a bit. The game here [in America] could be so much faster, so much more tactical, so much more rhythmic.” Of course, he later clarified the comments, but that quote shows his personality.
Wayne Rooney, D.C. United
As a star for Manchester United, the MLS just had to have Wayne Rooney. Well, that became a reality in 2018 as he signed a deal and played there for two seasons. He earned close to $6.3 million in salary during that time. He played in 50 matches, scoring 23 goals and 13 assists. He had two red cards in 2019.
David Villa, NYCFC
From 2015-2018, Villa played for NYCFC. This was an important achievement, as the team had only been an expansion franchise for two seasons. In 2010, Villa helped his homeland with the World Cup and was one of the best players in La Liga for multiple teams, including Valencia and Barcelona. For New York, Villa played 117 games, had 77 goals, and 26 assists. He won the MVP award in 2016.
Kaka, Orlando City
In their inaugural season, Orlando City secured Kaka, a Brazilian superstar. He played there from 2015-2017. Kaka won the Ball d’Or in 2007 and won a World Cup for Brazil in 2002. In 75 games with the club, Kaka scored 24 goals and 22 assists. Before coming to Orlando City, Kaka played for Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Gareth Bale, LAFC
A more recent signing, Bale joined LAFC in the summer of 2022. His contact with Real Madrid expired. Of the 12 games he appeared in, he started two and scored two goals. L.A. won the Supporters’ Shield. For LA, Bale scored one of the most exciting goals you’ll see, and it was in the MLS Cup Final. They won their first trbetophy that year. Bale, a Welshman, represented his home country in the World Cup but retired before the 2023 MLS season.
Carlos Valderrama, Multiple Teams
A famous Colombian star, Valderrama was the first international sensation in MLS before Beckham. Valderrama drew a lot of attention for his fantastic hair, but of course, his play. He was in the MLS from 1997 to 2002. He played for Miami Fusion, Tampa Bay Mutiny, and the Colorado Rapids.
Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy
At one time, Keane was the best player in MLS history. Coming from the Republic of Ireland, Keane scored 104 goals in 165 MLS games. He won three MLS Cups and single-handedly elevated the Galaxy. He was named club MVP four times. He’ll go down as one of the most statistically accomplished players in the MLS.
Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC
Nicknamed the “Atomic Ant,” Giovinco made a name for himself in the MLS as opposed to internationally. At Juventas, he was semi-regular but never became the star he did in TFC. Playing in Canada, Giovinco single-handedly carried the team from the bottle of the barrel to an MLS Cup and earned MVP honors. Giovinco showed that the MLS was more than just a place for older stars to come and get the bag; it was a place for young stars like himself to flourish. Sadly, his time in the MLS came with controversy. He was basically pushed out of Toronto.
Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders
Another player who wasn’t a star internationally but thrived in the MLS was Clint Dempsey. In leaving Tottenham for Seattle, the U.S. men’s national team soared in popularity. At this time, Dempsey, Michael Bradley, and Jozy Altidore all left Europe for the U.S. professional league. Dempsey became the United States Men’s National Team’s all-time leading scorer and helped put the Seattle Sounders on the map in the MLS.
Miguel Almiron, Atlanta United
When he signed with Atlanta in 2016, Almiron wasn’t a big name in the soccer world. But, when he left three years later, he was well-known and won an MLS Cup. Almiron was brought in as a present and future asset for the expansion franchise, earning $8 million. During his two seasons, Atlanta quickly rose as a competitor in the league. After two seasons in the MLS, Newcastle offered the midfielder $27 million, thus he left the US and MLS.
