💰 MLS best transfer XI so far this winter | OneFootball

This MLS transfer window has been a blur, with big money being spent up and down the league, league legends returning, and intra-league cash being splashed, you can forgive somebody for not realizing how quickly the start of the 2025 season has crept up on us.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the best XI of confirmed inbound transfers to MLS this season. That includes current MLS players moving to new MLS clubs, and MLS clubs making previous loan deals permanent.

In typical MLS fashion, we'll go with the classic 4-2-3-1 formation.

(GK) Rafael Cabral — Real Salt Lake

📸 Miguel Schincariol - 2023 Getty Images

There were almost no number-one goalkeeper signings in MLS this offseason, leaving us little to choose from.

However, RSL have brought in veteran shot-stopper Rafael Cabral from Gremio to bolster their ranks.

The 34-year-old has made over 400 senior appearances in his career, and will bring more veteran experience to a goalkeeping core in search of a true number one.

(RB) Luca Orellano  — FC Cincinnati

📸 Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Orellano was a revelation for Cincinnati in 2024, alternating between playing as a right wing-back and a true right-winger.

The 24-year-old was on loan from Vasco de Gama, but after a stellar campaign in which he bagged 10 goals and seven assists, and won MLS Newcomer of the Year, Cincinnati made his move to the club permanent.

Oh yeah, he simply only scores bangers as well.

(CB) Andrés Reyes — San Diego FC

📸 Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

San Diego, for obvious reasons, were the busiest team in the market this winter as they head into their inaugural campaign.

And they made a shrewd move in picking up New York Red Bulls center-back Andrés Reyes for $800,000 as they build their first ever defensive core.

The Colombian was integral in the Red Bulls' run to the 2024 MLS Cup final, scoring the goal in the Eastern Conference final to help take them to Los Angeles.

(CB) Nicolás Romero — Minnesota United

📸 JUAN MABROMATA

Young defenders from South America have found a true home in Major League Soccer in recent years, and Minnesota United may have found another solid addition to the bunch in Nicolás Romero.

The former Atlético Tucumán center-back made nearly 80 first-team appearances at the ripe age of 21 in the Argentine top-flight, and should improve the Loons' defensive options under second-year head coach Eric Ramsay.

(LB) Lukas Engel — FC Cincinnati

📸 Ben Roberts Photo - 2025 Getty Images

After a handful of key departures this offseason, Cincinnati have responded well with the addition of Middlesbrough left-back Lukas Engel.

The Dane can provide a bit more steel defensively in Pat Noonan's back-five, while also have the ability to join the attack out wide.

(CM) Gastón Brugman — Nashville SC

📸 Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

It's not often the MLS Cup MVP is available for the paltry sum of $100,000 and a homegrown player just weeks after playing a key role in his side's title triumph, yet Gastón Brugman was.

The veteran midfielder not a first-choice man for Galaxy boss Greg Vanney last season, but it was his last-minute addition to the MLS Cup Final lineup that may have sealed the trophy.

Nashville have faded into obscurity since bursting onto the scene in 2020 and 2021 after joining the league, but a veteran presence in midfield is a solid addition to a team looking to work their way back into the picture.

(CM) Mateusz Klich — Atlanta United

📸 Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

As the biggest spenders this offseason, Atlanta United will feature in this XI frequently going forward, and we'll start with the midfield addition of Mateusz Klich from D.C. United.

The former Leeds man was the best of a woeful bunch in the nation's capital last season, but in a team expected to function much more fluidly in Atlanta, Klich could have the platform to show why he was once Premier League quality.

Reports have indicated that Atlanta feel they are have signed 'a fourth Designated Player' in Klich, and they did so for the small price of an MLS SuperDraft pick.

(RM) Miguel Almirón — Atlanta United

📸 Eddie Keogh - 2025 Getty Images

In a selling league like MLS, it's not often you get to see the return of a club legend who once departed to the Premier League for nearly $26m, but Atlanta United have done just that in bringing back Miguel Almirón.

The Paraguayan scored 21 goals and provided 28 assists in 62 games for Atlanta across two seasons in 2017 and 2018, and he makes his return at the perfect time as the Five Stripes look to reload under Ronny Deila.

Alongside Aleksei Miranchuk, and a big-money striker who will feature later in this article, 'Miggy' may just be set for a true Dirty South swan song.

(CAM) Lucho Acosta — FC Dallas

📸 Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

The saga is finally over, Lucho Acosta has a new home.

Despite his seemingly sketchy behavior after publicly announcing his desire to leave Cincinnati, Acosta is still one of the all-time great attackers in MLS history, and Dallas can only be better with him as the center-piece of their attack.

The Argentine has bagged a staggering 72 goals and 97 assists in 251 MLS games, and has not shown signs of slowing down anytime soon.

With star striker Petar Musa leading the line, Dallas now boast one of the deadliest attacking combinations in league.

(LM) Chucky Lozano — San Diego FC

📸 Hector Vivas - 2023 Getty Images

When squad plans were being laid out for MLS newcomers San Diego, it was clear from the jump they had one signing in mind to announce their presence in the league — Mexico international Chucky Lozano.

The 29-year-old has tallied more than 200 goal contributions in 444 senior appearances across spells with Pachuca, PSV, and Napoli, winning four league titles along the way.

“Signing a player of the international stature of ‘Chucky’ Lozano is the biggest possible endorsement of our project in San Diego,” said San Diego FC Owner and Chairman, Sir Mohamed Mansour.

Lozano has immediately become one of the highest profile attackers in the division after making the move from PSV.

(ST) Emmanuel Latte-Lath — Atlanta United

📸 Stu Forster - 2025 Getty Images

Of course the MLS record signing would have to feature at the top of the lineup for us, and it was Atlanta United splashing the cash once again.

The former Middlesbrough man will come into the league with bags of pressure, but a platform to excel with the talent behind him in Atlanta.

What do you make of the XI? Any snubs?