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MLS

Eight players have swapped MLS for a European club

Major League Soccer keeps sending players to Europe’s top tier leagues and in seven months they exported a total of eight players and counting.

Rodrigo Serrano
Rodrigo SerranoRodASerrano
Estados Unidos
Eight players have swapped MLS for a European club

Major League Soccer is becoming one of the most important leagues in North, Central and South America. Many young talented players now appear to prefer to play in the MLS, before making the jump to a European club.

MLS: exporting young talent

So far this year, eight players from different Major League Soccer clubs have signed for a team in Europe’s top tier leagues. The latest player to leave the American league is Gianluca Busio. The Sporting KC midfielder joins Venezia FC for the 2021/22 Serie A season after his participation with the USMNT in the 2021 Gold Cup campaign.

In the next few days Sam Vines could become the ninth player to make the switch to Europe. The Colorado Rapids defender is finalizing his deal to join Royal Antwerp for a fee that could reach up to $2 million and the MLS side will retain a sell-on clause.

Another player that could be leaving MLS before the summer transfer window closes is Daryl Dike. The USMNT striker has scored two goals in two Gold Cup appearances with the USMNT and he returned earlier this year to Orlando City SC after an impressive loan spell at Barnsley in the Championship. Dike has been linked to a move to Everton and Chelsea in recent weeks.

Players that left MLS in 2021

At the time of writing, and with the transfer window open for several more weeks, the following players have already crossed the pond to play in UEFA competitions, generally accepted as the highest level of club soccer.

Brenden Aaronson (20-years-old) left NY Red Bulls to join RB Salzburg.

Joseph Scally (18-years-old) left New York City FC to join Borussia Mõnchengladbach.

Mark Mckenzie (22-years-old) left Philadelphia Union to join Genk.

Bryan Reynolds (20-years-old) left FC Dallas to join AS Roma.

Brandon Servania (22-years-old) left FC Dallas to join St. Polten.

Tanner Tasemann (19-years-old) left FC Dallas to join Venezia FC.

Calden Clark (18-years-old) left NY Red Bulls to join RB Leipzig.

Gianluca Busio (19-years-old) left Sporting KC to join Venezia FC.

Let's see how their carreers pan out over the coming years...