With the MLS transfer window officially closed, here is a look at the top 10 signings
The 2024 MLS summer transfer window has officially closed, and teams have bolstered their rosters with new additions ahead of a Fall playoff push.
Ten of MLS's 29 current clubs (30 including San Diego) have broken their respective transfer-fee records: Austin FC, Charlotte FC, Chicago Fire FC, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, San Diego FC, and San Jose Earthquakes. Nearly $200 million was spent across the entire league spent this window.
From LAFC signing former World Champion Olivier Giroud to Atlanta United adding 2024 UEFA Europa League champion Alexey Miranchuk, MLS clubs have had their most ambitious summer window to date.
Here are the top-10 signings of this historic few months.
USA Today Images10Ezequiel Ponce, Houston Dynamo
A club-record signing at for the Dynamo, Ezequiel Ponce joined the team in June from Greek club AEK Athens as a Designated Player through 2027, with a club option for 2028.
Ben Olsen's side was in desperate need of attacking reinforcement, having scored just 33 goals in 24 matches. They found their solution in the Argentine journeyman Ponce. The 27-year-old previously played in Europe with Roma, Granada, Lille, Spartak Moscow, Elche CF, and AEK Athens. Since joining the Dynamo, he has made four appearances, including three in the Leagues Cup, where he scored his first goal for the club in the Round of 32 against Toluca.
Sitting sixth in the Western Conference and just four points out of currently hosting a home playoff game, Ponce will be a crucial asset as they look for a late-season surge up the table.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport9DeJuan Jones, Columbus Crew
The only intra-league transfer on this list, Jones is a brilliant, brilliant addition for Wilfried Nancy's Crew. An outstanding wingback, the U.S. international bolsters the reigning MLS Cup champions immediately.
He joined from the New England Revolution for a reported $600k fee, and has already had an impact on the squad in his two appearances this Leagues Cup. He scored a sensational goal on his debut in the Round of 32, and then in the Round of 16, logged 45 minutes en route to a 3-2 victory over reigning champions Inter Miami.
He is a perfect fit for Nancy's system, and looks like the ideal player to help them back to the top this fall.
Getty/GOAL8Kelvin Yeboah, Minnesota United
The Loons desperately needed reinforcements this window, and they added four with Yeboah being the highlight of the bunch.
The newest Designated Player in Minnesota, Yeboah arrived to the Loons from Serie A side Genoa, with previous loan stints in Ligue 1 with Montpellier and Standard Liege, too. The Italian scored six goals in 14 appearances for the latter from January to May this year, and will now look to lead the attack in St. Paul this Fall.
He joins Finnish international Teemu Pukki and budding Canada star Tani Oluwaseyi up top with the Western Conference club, who are looking for a late-season surge into a playoff spot.
USA Today Images7Marcel Hartel, St. Louis City SC
The German Bundesliga connections in St. Louis continued this summer, with the signing of Hartel from FC St. Pauli as their newest Designated Player. With the likes of player Roman Burki and Eduard Lowen already in the club, along with Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel, they honed in on a market they know well and have had success in.
Hartel is coming off his best season ever as a professional, where he helped St. Pauli to a Bundesliga. 2 league title and promotion to the Bundesliga off a campaign where he bagged 21 goals and notched 15 assists across all competitions. A major coup for CITY, the attacking midfielder has already slid into their squad with ease.
Through four matches played, three of which have been in the Leagues Cup, he's scored two goals and logged 90 minutes three times for the Eastern Conference side.