MLS
New Year’s Eve transfers in MLS
There was movement on the last day of the year. The the Sounders moved for Jesus Ferreira while Inter Miami signed a striker.
As we move into 2025, several MLS teams spent the last day of the year finalizing deals with players who they hope will strengthen their rosters when the new season kicks off in February.
Here are some of the deals that were either closed or advanced during the course of the day, Tuesday 31 December 31 2024.
Fafà Picault to Inter Miami
After Leonardo Campana left to join the New England Revolution, Inter Miami announced the signing of striker Fafà Picault who joins on a one-year contract to replace the Ecuadorian.
Picault joins as a free agent after finishing last season as the third top scorer with the Vancouver Whitecaps. The 33-year-old has ample experience in MLS, having starred for FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo and the Philadelphia Union.
LAFC look to Europe
However, Miami isn’t the only one making moves. According to Tom Bogert, LAFC is finalizing negotiations to sign defensive midfielder Odin Thiago Holm one a one-season loan from Scottish Premiership side Celtic.
Valued at $2 million, the 21-year-old Norwegian is under contract with the Hoops until 2028. He made just three appearances last season and was laid low for much of the campaign with a calf muscle issue.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is keen for midfielder to get more playing time which he is likely to do in LA.
Seattle sign Jesús Ferreira
Another of the big bombshells in the MLS winter transfer market is the imminent arrival of Jesús Ferreira to the Sounders, from FC Dallas, to replace Raúl Ruidíaz, who did not renew his contract with the Seattle team.
In exchange for Ferreira, the Texas team will receive Leo Chu, $2 million in general allocation money, as well as a spot to sign an international player.
Portland is looking for Venezuelan Kevin Kelsy
Venezuelan Kevin Kelsy, who is on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk at FC Cincinnati, is in negotiations to sign with the Portland Timbers, a club that is also closely following Israeli international striker Dor Turgeman who came through the youth ranks at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The 2025 MLS regular season gets underway on 22 February with with Supporters’ Shield winners Inter Miami hosting New York City FC at Chase stadium in the first of 510 regular season games.
Defending champions LA Galaxy begin their defence of the title against San Diego FC the following day.
The 2025 MLS regular season will conclude on Saturday 18 October with the playoffs likely to start the following week although no postseason dates have been confirmed as of the moment.