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News, Blog and GuidesThe Greek forward is set to become the latest big-money MLS transfer involving the free-spending Five Stripes.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Jun 7th, 2024 10:09 EDT0
Atlanta United’s mid-season shake-up continues apace as star striker Giorgos Giakoumakis closes in on a move to Cruz Azul of Liga MX. Head coach Gonzalo Pineda was recently relieved of his duties and team captain Thiago Almada has been heavily linked with a transfer to Europe this summer.
Giakoumakis arrived in early 2023 from Scottish Premiership side Celtic and he has proved himself to be one of the league’s top finishes. The Greek forward has contributed 24 goals and five assists in his 39 MLS appearances for the club, although his 2024 campaign has been beset by injury issues.
Giorgos Giakoumakis is a problem! 😤He nets the hat trick en route to becoming the fifth player in league history to reach 20 career regular-season goals in under 2,000 minutes. pic.twitter.com/Eh4kcRfbUL
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 10, 2024
Atlanta spent $4 million to secure his services and look set to make a healthy profit on the 29-year-old. The Athletic reports that the transfer fee will be $10 million, making it one of the biggest outgoing transfer fees in MLS history.
What is the most expensive MLS transfer fee?
In recent years MLS has become major hunting ground for European clubs looking to unearth the promising young players. The growth of MLS – both in terms of quality and in economic strength – is making it a popular stepping stone for young prospects from South America.
With European clubs chaerging ever-higher fees for young players MLS has become a key market for top flight clubs from the ‘big five’ leagues and the fees reflect that. Eight-p transfer fees are becoming increasingly common and will only continue as the league grows in influence. Here’s a look at the biggest out-going transfers in MLS history…
| Player | From | To | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Miguel Almirón | Atlanta United | Newcastle United | $24 million |
| 2. | Djordje Petrovic | New England Revolution | Chelsea | $18 million |
| 3. | Jhon Durán | Chicago Fire | Aston Villa | $16.6 million |
| 4. | Ricardo Pepi | FC Dallas | FC Augsburg | $16.4 million |
| 5. | Pity Martinez | Atlanta United | Al-Nassr | $16 million |
| 6. | Taty Castellanos | NYCFC | Lazio | $15 million |
| 7. | Alphonso Davies | Vancouver Whitecaps | FC Bayern | $14 million |
| 8. | Brenden Aaronson | Philadelphia Union | RB Salzburg | $12.7 million |
| 9. | Brenner | FC Cincinnati | Udinese | $10 million |
| 10. | Gabriel Pereira | NYCFC | Al-Rayyan SC | $10 million |
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Miguel Almirón has become a solid Premier League level attacker for Newcastle.PETER POWELLAFP
What is the highest transfer fee paid by an MLS team?
In terms of incoming transfers, Atlanta United stand well above the rest. The ambitious team joined the league in 2017 and wasted little time in making some noise in MLS. Atlanta are responsible for the top three most expensive transfer fees ever paid by MLS clubs and boast four of the top five spots.
| Player | From | To | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Thiago Almada | Vélez Sarsfield | Atlanta United | $14.6 million |
| 2. | Pity Martínez | River Plate | Atlanta United | $14.5 million |
| 3. | Esequiel Barco | CA Independiente | Atlanta United | $12.3 million |
| 4. | Brenner | São Paulo | FC Cincinnati | $11.8 million |
| 5. | Luiz Araújo | Lille | Atlanta United | $11.5 million |
| 6. | Hugo Cuypers | Gent | Chicago Fire | $11 million |
| 7. | Rodolfo Pizarro | Monterrey | Inter Miami | $10.9 million |
| 8. | Brian Rodríguez | Peñarol | LAFC | $10.5 million |
| 9. | Cucho Hernández | Watford FC | Columbus Crew | $9.6 million |
| 10. | Evander | FC Midtjylland | Portland Timbers | $9.5 million |
