Matchday

Primary Transfer Window: 6 MLS clubs set transfer record

24-record-signings

The 2024 Primary Transfer Window closed Tuesday evening, ending a period of historic spending across MLS. In total, six clubs spent club-record fees to acquire Designated Players.

Might more landmark moves await this summer? We'll find out when the Secondary Transfer Window unfolds from July 18 to Aug. 14.

Player
Reported Fee
Previous Club
Hugo Cuypers - Chicago
$12 million + $2 million add-ons
Gent (Belgium)
Petar Musa - Dallas
$9.7 million; $13 million with add-ons
Benfica (Portugal)
Gabriel Pec - LA
$10 million + incentives
Vasco da Gama (Brazil)
Liel Abada - Charlotte
Around $8 million
Celtic FC (Scotland)
Hernán López - San Jose
Around $6 million
Godoy Cruz (Argentina)
Djordje Mihailovic - Colorado
Over $3 million
AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands)

Hugo Cuypers - Chicago Fire FC

If all incentives hit, Cuypers will become a top-five most-expensive signing in MLS history (reportedly up to $14 million). The 26-year-old is a former Belgian Pro League top scorer who tallied 51g/15a in 90 matches for Gent.

Chicago's previous club-record fee was reportedly $7.5 million from when Swiss star Xherdan Shaqiri arrived from Ligue 1's Lyon.

Petar Musa - FC Dallas

A Croatian international striker, Musa's total fee could reportedly rise to $13 million. The 25-year-old arrived from Portuguese powerhouse side Benfica on a long-term deal.

Beforehand, FC Dallas' club-record fee was reportedly around $7 million when Alan Velasco arrived from Independiente in his native Argentina.

Gabriel Pec - LA Galaxy

LA reinvigorated their attack this winter, acquiring DP wingers Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec to play alongside No. 10 Riqui Puig and striker Dejan Joveljic. They have the Galaxy sitting first in the Western Conference with 21 goals scored (second-most in MLS).

Pec, a 23-year-old Brazilian youth international, signed for reportedly over $10 million. That surpassed LA's club-record outlay from when Chicharito joined in 2020 from LaLiga side Sevilla.

Liel Abada - Charlotte FC

Charlotte haven't been afraid to spend since joining MLS in 2022, as shown by DP forwards Karol Swiderski and Enzo Copetti. But they've passed a new bar with Abada, who joined for reportedly $8 million from Scotland's Celtic FC.

Abada, a 22-year-old Israeli international, was prolific at Celtic. He tallied 29g/22a in 112 matches as they won five trophies and competed in the UEFA Champions League.

Hernán López - San Jose Earthquakes

The Earthquakes left it late, but got their prized No. 10 deal done before the window closed. And it cost them reportedly around $6 million, with López arriving from Godoy Cruz in his native Argentina. Can the 23-year-old deliver?

San Jose's previous club-record deal involved Ecuadorian international midfielder Carlos Gruezo. He joined in 2023 for reportedly around $3 million from Germany's FC Augsburg.

Djordje Mihailovic - Colorado Rapids

Colorado spent reportedly around $3 million to bring a familiar face back to MLS, landing USMNT midfielder Djordje Mihailovic from Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar. He previously played in MLS for Chicago and CF Montréal.

The No. 10 arrived as part of a squad refresh, with goalkeeper Zack Steffen and left back Sam Vines joining their project led by new head coach Chris Armas.