MLS is a retirement league no longer. The American top division is now the leading talent developer in North America and a go-to destination for young South and Central American stars hoping to get noticed by European scouts.
Foreign players, like Miguel Almirón, Jack Harrison, and Jhon Duran all broke through in MLS. As did domestic stars, such as Alphonso Davies, Tyler Adams, and Brenden Aaronson.
Who will be next to join this list of illustrious alumni of MLS players in Europe? We can’t say for sure, but here are the MLS players who deserve a transfer to Europe this summer.
Thiago Almada (Atlanta United, 21)
We start our list off strong with perhaps the best young wonderkid applying his trade in MLS right now. Thiago Almada always seemed too good for MLS, but this year he’s really proving it.
The young Atlanta United star was a part of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad last winter. Since returning to MLS, he has been the most dominant player in the league. Almada has 9 goal contributions in 6 games so far this season. He is also leading the league in key creative stats, like expected assisted goals and passes into the penalty area.
Not only does Almada deserve to be playing in Europe next season, but he also deserves to break the MLS outgoing transfer record.
José Cifuentes (LAFC, 24)
LAFC’s José Cifuentes was one of the best midfielders in MLS last season. He finished the season with 13 goal contributions, two trophies, and plenty of plaudits in the US and abroad.
Over the summer, Cifuentes was regularly linked to European clubs, such as Brighton, Leeds, and Newcastle. Frankly, it’s surprising Cifuentes is still in MLS now. The likely reason he’s still in MLS is LAFC’s high price tag. Reportedly, LAFC wanted at least $10m for the Ecuadorian midfielder. However, LAFC’s price might be lower this summer.
This season, the emergence of Timothy Tillman has relegated Cifuentes to a rotation role in LAFC’s stacked midfield. While it’s great for LAFC to have such a good player on their bench, Cifuentes deserves much better and should look for a move this summer.
Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas, 22)
Jesus Ferreira has been tearing it up at FC Dallas for two and a half years now. The FC Dallas homegrown player has scored 26 goals and dished out 14 assists in the past two seasons. FC Dallas rewarded these strong performances by tying Ferreira down to a big designated player contract. As good as the money is staying in Dallas, it’s time for Ferreira to leave his hometown club.
Ferreira was the USMNT’s starting number 9 at the World Cup, but he now faces stiff competition for his spot heading into the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada. The re-emergence of players like Ricardo Pepi and the looming figure of Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun very well could keep Ferreira out of USMNT squads in the future.
Ferreira has already proven himself in MLS. The only way he can regain his position at the top of the USMNT striker depth chart is by joining his competition abroad in Europe and developing into an even better player than he already is.
Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati, 24)
Brandon Vazquez broke out last season with 18 goals and 8 assists to help FC Cincinnati finish 5th in the Eastern Conference. This was the first time in FC Cincinnati’s MLS history the club finished above last place in the league.
Vazquez is 6’2 with the strength to match his size, good pace, and great spacial awareness. All these things are why he’s ready to go to Europe now. Another reason Vazquez should leave now is his age.
Vazquez is 24 years old. By the standards of modern football where 18-year-olds become global stars, the Mexican-American is a late bloomer.
In the middle of last season, Vazquez was targeted by Liga MX club Chivas. After his strong performances last season, the forward’s eyes should solely be on Europe, so he can further develop his skills and potentially lock up the number nine position for either Mexico or the US.
Miles Robinson (Atlanta United, 26)
We cap off our list of MLS players who need a move to Europe with yet another American player. Before his season-ending ACL injury last year, Miles Robinson was set to start at the World Cup alongside Walker Zimmerman. Now, Robinson is healthy and back with Atlanta United and the USMNT. Zimmerman and Robinson’s replacement at the World Cup, Tim Ream, are potential templates for what happens next for Robinson.
When Walker Zimmerman was 26, he was traded to Nashville SC and accepted a huge contract to become the cornerstone of Nashville SC’s new expansion roster. When he was around the same age, Tim Ream took the leap across the pond to join the Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League. Since then, Ream has made over 400 appearances in English football and remains one of the USMNT’s best center backs.
Miles Robinson’s contract expires at the end of this year. His performances for Atlanta and the USMNT are no doubt deserving of a bigger deal than the one he’s currently on, but where will Robinson go to get his new deal? Does he take the Zimmerman route and sign a big contract with an MLS side, or does he leave for Europe and try to have a Tim Ream-like European career?
In our opinion, it’s time for Robinson to make the jump to Europe.
Honorable Mentions
Talles Magno (NYCFC, 20)
Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes, 19)
Facundo Torres (Orlando City, 23)
John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls, 20)
DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution, 25)
