MLS
What are the top transfers heading into the 2023 MLS season?
We take a look at the five most expensive signings made by Major League Soccer clubs for the 2023 season, which kicked off at the weekend.
Evander - FC Midtjylland to Portland Timbers - $10m
Signed in December from Danish club FC Midtjylland, Evander comes with a $10m price tag that takes him into the top 10 of the most expensive purchases in MLS history. The 24-year-old midfielder, who made his Timbers debut in Monday’s 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City on matchday one, spent just over four years at Midtjylland, playing a key role in the club’s domestic title triumph in 2019/20. He appeared for the Danes in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League - all three of Europe’s major club competitions. A former Brazil Under-17 international and a graduate of the Vasco da Gama youth academy, Evander has signed a Timbers contract running until 2026, with the option of a further 12 months.
Stipe Biuk - Hajduk Split to Los Angeles FC - $7m
Bought by Los Angeles FC for an initial fee of around $7m, Stipe Biuk was a 2022 nominee for the Golden Boy award, which recognises the best Europe-based men’s player under the age of 21. The 20-year-old Croat, who has been capped 10 times by his country’s Under-21s, moves to MLS from Hajduk Split, where he came through the youth academy to make 66 appearances for the first team, scoring six goals. Signed on a deal running until 2026 with the option of another year, Biuk couldn’t make his LAFC debut on Friday - the defending champions’ El Tráfico clash with LA Galaxy was postponed due to adverse weather. His first appearance for the Black & Gold could come on Saturday, when Steve Cherundolo’s men take on Portland Timbers.
Enzo Copetti - Racing Club to Charlotte FC - $6m
Charlotte FC confirmed Enzo Copetti’s arrival from Racing Club de Avellaneda in January, the North Carolina franchise paying a fee reported to be around $6m for the Argentine forward. Copetti enjoyed a fantastic year in 2022, scoring 21 times in 47 appearances for Racing, a club he helped to victory in Argentina’s Trofeo de Campeones in November. The 27-year-old, who played several times for Racing in South America’s Copa Libertadores, has signed a contract through the 2025 season, with the option to extend for the 2026 campaign. Copetti made his first MLS appearance on Saturday, as Charlotte began their second season in the league with a 1-0 defeat at home to New England Revolution.
Martín Ojeda - Godoy Cruz to Orlando City - $5.3m
A 24-year-old winger, Martín Ojeda joined Orlando City SC in January, penning an initial three-year contract after completing a transfer reportedly worth just over $5m. Ojeda arrives in the United States from Argentine club Godoy Cruz, where he scored 32 goals and supplied 21 assists in 97 games. A product of the youth academy at second-tier Argentine side Ferro Carril Oeste, his previous clubs also include Racing Club de Avellaneda, where he got game time in the Copa Libertadores. Ojeda made his Orlando bow against the New York Red Bulls on matchday one of the MLS season on Saturday, as Facundo Torres’ penalty earned the Lions a 1-0 win at Exploria Stadium.
Dante Vanzeir - Union SG to New York Red Bulls - $5.3m
Capped once by Belgium, forward Dante Vanzeir has joined New York Red Bulls after netting 48 times and providing 21 assists in 91 appearances for Belgian Jupiler Pro League club Union SG. The 24-year-old has moved to the Big Apple for an initial fee reported to be around $5.3m - but the Athletic has revealed that the add-ons included in the deal could take his price tag past the franchise-record $6.25m that the Red Bulls paid for Alejando Romero Gamarra in 2018. A graduate of the Genk youth academy, Vanzeir has played for Union SG in both the Europa League and the qualifying rounds of the Champions League.