Ranking the best signings of the MLS transfer window
- The MLS Secondary Transfer Window closed on August 14
- Several big teams made splashes in the window to upgrade their squads
- MLS teams are still able to sign free agents up until the roster freeze deadline on September 13
Major League Soccer's Secondary Transfer Window wrapped up last week as club from across the division brought in players from across the globe to add to their squads.
MLS giants like LAFC, LA Galaxy and Atlanta United all made splashes in the transfer market to improve certain areas of their respective squads as the postseason looms in the background.
A few MLS teams opted to sign experienced attacking midfielders to pull the strings and create chances galore in the final third, while one Western Conference club chose to go down a different route by signing an electric winger from the Serbian SuperLiga.
Here are the five best signings from MLS' summer transfer window.
5. Diogo Goncalves - Real Salt Lake ($3.3m from FC Copenhagen)
Even though Real Salt Lake are enjoying a solid campaign near the top of the Western Conference standings, the team didn't hesitate to make an upgrade in the attacking midfield position with the signing of Diogo Goncalves from Danish giants FC Copenhagen.
The deal could very well look like a steal in the coming years for just over $3m, and RSL are seriously mounting a charge at MLS Cup even with the departure of Andres Gomez.
4. Osman Bukari - Austin FC ($7.5m from Red Star Belgrade)
Austin FC shelled out $7.5m to land winger Osman Bukari from Red Star Belgrade to add to their attacking options alongside Sebastian Driussi and Diego Rubio.
Although Bukari's first couple of matches didn't exactly go to plan, his track record of 25 goals in 78 appearances while in Serbia suggests he'll be a force to be reckoned with once he fully settles in.
3. Alexey Miranchuk - Atlanta United ($13m from Atalanta)
Atlanta United have had it rough in the 2024 MLS season, especially after the sales of Caleb Wiley, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Thiago Almada.
There's still a slim chance of Atlanta sneaking into the postseason and making some noise thanks to the addition of Alexey Miranchuk from Serie A side Atalanta. The Russia international is set to shoulder the chance-creating responsibilities for Atlanta as they look ahead to 2025.
2. Marco Reus - LA Galaxy (free transfer from Borussia Dortmund)
Continuing with the theme of playmakers, LA Galaxy were in hot pursuit of Borussia Dortmund legend Marco Reus for most of the summer -- and they finally managed to wrap up a deal for the Bundesliga icon.
Reus joins an attack that already contains players like Riqui Puig, Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec, making the Galaxy an even stronger contender to lift their sixth MLS Cup.
1. Olivier Giroud - LAFC (free transfer from AC Milan)
Olivier Giroud followed in fellow Frenchman Hugo Lloris' footsteps in joining LAFC on a free transfer earlier this summer to bolster the team's striker position.
While Kei Kamara has been serviceable up front, there's no denying that Giroud is a massive upgrade that brings tons of winning experience and can link-up well with players like Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera.
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