During this offseason, while there may not have been the high-profile trades of previous years, Major League Soccer (MLS) teams have managed to bring in some noteworthy international talent, as well as reacquaint themselves with some familiar players.

Atlanta United may have made the most significant impact, securing striker Emmanuel Latte Lath for a league-record fee and welcoming back Miguel Almirón from Newcastle United.

On the flip side, there were substantial departures from MLS as well, such as Cucho Hernandez moving to Spanish club Real Betis for $16 million following his two-plus years with Columbus Crew.

The timing of the FIFA winter transfer window aligns with MLS’s offseason, making it a strategic period for clubs to enhance their rosters.
However, teams from international leagues may be hesitant to release players in the middle of their seasons, fueling a growing conversation about a possible shift in MLS’s season schedule.

The 30th season of MLS kicks off on Saturday, highlighting several key new players to watch this year:

Emmanuel Latte Lath has joined Atlanta United from Middlesbrough for a reported record fee of $22 million. The 26-year-old striker netted 29 goals in 67 appearances for the second-tier team and was the Championship’s top scorer for the 2023-24 season with 16 goals. Latte Lath’s contract extends through 2028, with an option for 2029.

FC Cincinnati acquired forward Kévin Denkey from Cercle Brugge for $16.2 million in November. The 23-year-old from Togo topped the Belgian league’s scoring chart in the 2023-24 season with an impressive 27 goals. He signed a designated player deal with Cincinnati that runs until 2028, with an option for 2029.

While Brandon Vazquez has some familiarity with MLS, having previously played for FC Cincinnati, he was signed by Austin FC in January. The 26-year-old striker signed a four-year deal after a two-year stint in Liga MX with Monterrey, where he scored 14 goals over that period. Vazquez has also represented the U.S. men’s national team.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, a seasoned 35-year-old forward from Cameroon, joined the New York Red Bulls on a free transfer with a two-year contract in December. Choupo-Moting boasts an impressive resume, including three Bundesliga titles and a FIFA Club World Cup victory with Bayern Munich before becoming a free agent last summer. He is expected to add valuable experience and leadership to a team that reached the MLS Cup final previously.

Wilfried Zaha is currently on loan to Charlotte FC from Turkish team Galatasaray until January, with a potential extension available until June. Zaha has a rich history in the Premier League, particularly during his lengthy tenure at Crystal Palace, where he amassed 90 goals and 52 assists over nine seasons.

Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano represents San Diego FC as their first designated player after being signed last June. The dynamic winger had spent time with PSV Eindhoven before officially joining the club last month, where he contributed six goals and three assists in 24 matches during the 2023-24 season. Lozano, hailing from Mexico City, has previously played for Pachuca, Napoli, and the Mexican national team.

Jonathan Bamba, now with Chicago Fire, came from Celta Vigo for a reported transfer fee of $2 million. He is slated to remain with the Fire through 2028 as a designated player. Over the last two seasons at Celta, Bamba scored three times in 39 outings. Previously, he was part of French club Lille’s ranks and has represented Ivory Coast on the international stage, contributing to their Africa Cup of Nations victory last year.

Miguel Almirón is returning to Atlanta United after transferring from Newcastle for around $10 million. Although not a newcomer to the league, Almirón’s previous stint at Atlanta saw him depart for the Premier League in 2019. His most successful campaign with Newcastle occurred in 2022-23, when he found the net 11 times, tallying 30 goals and 22 assists in 223 appearances across all competitions while in Europe. Almirón, recognized as the 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year, was pivotal in Atlanta’s MLS Cup win in 2018.