List of most expensive American soccer transfers

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
Christian Pulisic, who completed the most expensive transfer ever by an American soccer player.

The following is a list of the most expensive American soccer transfers, which details the highest transfer fees ever paid for American players, as well as the largest transfer fees paid and received by American soccer clubs.

The current transfer record for an American player was set by the transfer of Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea for $65 million in August 2019. The current record transfer fee paid by an American soccer club was set by the transfer of Son Heung-min from Tottenham Hotspur to Los Angeles Football Club for $26.5 million in August 2025. The current record transfer fee received by an American soccer club was set by the transfer of Miguel Almirón from Atlanta United to Newcastle United for $26 million in January 2019.

Highest transfer payments for American players

Rank Player From To Position Fee
($)		 Year Ref
1 Christian Pulisic (1) Germany Borussia Dortmund England Chelsea Forward $65.0m 2019 [1]
2 Malik Tillman Netherlands PSV Germany Bayer Leverkusen Midfielder $46.0m 2025 [2]
3 Folarin Balogun England Arsenal France Monaco Forward $43.0m 2023 [3]
4 Johnny Cardoso Spain Real Betis Spain Atlético Madrid Midfielder $34.8m 2025 [4]
5 Brenden Aaronson Austria Red Bull Salzburg England Leeds United Midfielder $30.2m 2022 [5]
6 Tyler Adams (2) England Leeds United England Bournemouth Midfielder $25.5m 2023 [6]
7 Christian Pulisic (2) England Chelsea Italy AC Milan Forward $24.2m 2023 [7]
8 Tyler Adams (1) Germany RB Leipzig England Leeds United Midfielder $24.1m 2022 [8]
9 Sergiño Dest Netherlands Ajax Spain Barcelona Defender $23.1m 2020 [9]
10 Weston McKennie Germany Schalke 04 Italy Juventus Midfielder $22.5m 2021 [10]
11 Yunus Musah Spain Valencia Italy AC Milan Midfielder $20.0m 2023 [11]
12 Ricardo Pepi United States FC Dallas Germany FC Augsburg Forward $20.0m 2022 [12]
13 John Brooks Germany Hertha BSC Germany VfL Wolfsburg Defender $19.4m 2017 [13]
14 Jozy Altidore (2) Netherlands AZ England Sunderland Forward $13.0m 2013 [14]
15 Matt Turner England Arsenal England Nottingham Forest Goalkeeper $12.7m 2023 [15]
16 Timothy Weah (2) France Lille Italy Juventus Defender $12.4m 2023 [16]
17 Timothy Weah (1) France Paris Saint-Germain France Lille Defender $11.4m 2019 [17]
18 Michael Bradley Italy Roma Canada Toronto FC Midfielder $10.4m 2014 [17]
19 Jozy Altidore (1) United States New York Red Bulls Spain Villarreal Striker $10.0m 2008 [17]
20 Gabriel Slonina United States Chicago Fire England Chelsea Goalkeeper $10.0m 2022 [18]


Historical progression

Year Player From To Fee ($) Ref
1990Tab RamosUnited States USSFSpain Figueres$250,000
1998Brad FriedelUnited States Columbus CrewEngland Liverpool$2.1m
2001Claudio ReynaScotland RangersEngland Sunderland$5.9m
2008Jozy AltidoreUnited States New York Red BullsSpain Villarreal$10.0m
2013Jozy AltidoreNetherlands AZEngland Sunderland$13.0m
2017 John Brooks Germany Hertha BSC Germany VfL Wolfsburg $19.4m
2019Christian PulisicGermany Borussia DortmundEngland Chelsea$65.0m

Transfer fees involving American soccer clubs

Highest transfer payments paid by American soccer clubs

Rank Player From To Position Fee
($)		 Year Ref
1 South Korea Son Heung-min England Tottenham Hotspur Los Angeles FC Forward $26.5 m 2025 [19]
2 Ivory Coast Emmanuel Latte Lath England Middlesbrough Atlanta United Forward $22.0m 2025 [20]
3 Togo Kévin Denkey Belgium Cercle Brugge FC Cincinnati Forward $16.2m 2024 [21]
4 Argentina Thiago Almada Argentina Vélez Sarsfield Atlanta United Midfielder $16.0m 2022 [22]
5 Argentina Pity Martínez Argentina River Plate Atlanta United Midfielder $15.5m 2019 [22]
6 Argentina Ezequiel Barco Argentina Independiente Atlanta United Midfielder $15.0m 2018 [22]
7 Brazil Brenner Brazil São Paulo FC Cincinnati Forward $13.0m 2021 [22]
Russia Alexey Miranchuk Italy Atalanta Atlanta United Forward $13.0m 2024 [23]
9 Paraguay Miguel Almirón England Newcastle United Atlanta United Midfielder $12.5m 2025 [24]
10 Albania Myrto Uzuni Spain Granada Austin FC Forward $12.3m 2025 [25]
11 Mexico Rodolfo Pizarro Mexico Monterrey Inter Miami CF Midfielder $12.0m 2020 [22]
Belgium Hugo Cuypers Belgium Gent Chicago Fire Forward $12.0m 2024 [26]
Mexico Hirving Lozano Netherlands PSV Eindhoven San Diego FC Forward $12.0m 2025 [27]
14 Brazil Luiz Araújo France Lille Atlanta United Midfielder $11.0m2021[22]
15 United States Brandon Vázquez Mexico Monterrey Austin FC Forward $10.0m 2025 [28]
16 Mexico Alan Pulido Mexico Guadalajara Sporting Kansas City Forward $9.5m 2020 [22]
17 Mexico Javier Hernández Spain Sevilla LA Galaxy Forward $9.4m 2020 [22]
18 United States Clint Dempsey England Tottenham Hotspur Seattle Sounders Forward $9.0m 2013 [22]
19 Uruguay Brian Rodríguez Uruguay Peñarol Los Angeles FC Forward $8.8m 2019 [22]
20 Brazil Talles Magno Brazil Vasco da Gama New York City FC Midfielder $8.2m 2021 [22]

Highest transfer payments received by American soccer clubs

Rank Player From To Position Fee
($)		 Year Ref
1 Paraguay Miguel AlmirónAtlanta UnitedEngland Newcastle UnitedMidfielder$26.0m2019[29]
2 Argentina Thiago AlmadaAtlanta UnitedBrazil BotafogoMidfielder$22.0m2024[30]
3 United States Ricardo PepiFC DallasGermany FC AugsburgForward$20.0m2022[29]
4 Colombia Jhon Durán Chicago Fire England Aston Villa Midfielder $18.7m 2023 [31]
5 Argentina Pity MartínezAtlanta UnitedSaudi Arabia Al NassrMidfielder$18.0m2020[29]
Serbia Đorđe PetrovićNew England RevolutionEngland ChelseaGoalkeeper$18.0m2023[32]
7 Colombia Cucho Hernández Columbus Crew Spain Real Betis Forward $16.0m 2025 [33]
8 United States Gabriel Slonina Chicago Fire England Chelsea Goalkeeper $15.0m 2022 [18]
9 Paraguay Diego Gómez Inter Miami England Brighton & Hove Albion Midfielder $13.8m 2025 [34]
10 United States Gianluca Busio Sporting Kansas City Italy Venezia FC Midfielder $10.5m 2021 [35]
11 United States Jozy AltidoreNew York Red BullsSpain VillarrealForward$10.0m2008[29]
Uruguay Diego Rossi Los Angeles FC Turkey Fenerbahçe Forward $10.0m 2022 [36]
13 United States Daryl DikeOrlando CityEngland West Bromwich AlbionForward$9.5m2022[29]
14 United States Brenden Aaronson Philadelphia Union Austria RB Salzburg Midfielder $9.0m 2020 [37]
15 Canada Tani Oluwaseyi Minnesota United Spain Villarreal CF Forward $8.5m 2025 [38]
16 United States Brandon Vázquez FC Cincinnati Mexico Monterrey Forward $7.5m 2024 [39]
United States Zack SteffenColumbus CrewEngland Manchester CityGoalkeeper$7.5m2019[29]
18 United States Bryan ReynoldsFC DallasItaly RomaDefender$7.4m2021[29]
19 Canada Tajon BuchananNew England RevolutionBelgium Club BruggeMidfielder$7.0m2022[29]
20 United States Mark McKenzie Philadelphia Union Belgium Genk Defender $6.0m 2021 [40]

Historical progression

Year Player Selling club Buying club Fee ($) Ref
1990 Tab Ramos USSF Spain Figueres 250,000
1998 Brad Friedel Columbus Crew England Liverpool 2,100,000 [41]
2000 Eddie Lewis San Jose Earthquakes England Fulham 2,300,000
2006 Clint Dempsey New England Revolution England Fulham 4,000,000 [42]
2008 Jozy Altidore New York Red Bulls Spain Villarreal 10,000,000 [43]
2019 Miguel Almirón Atlanta United England Newcastle United 26,000,000 [43]

References

  1. Debono, Matt (December 10, 2021). "Christian Pulisic: Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea Move Was 'Easy Transition'". Sports Illustrated. Authentic Brands Group. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  2. https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1943951925352804598
  3. "'A fabulous move' - Gregg Berhalter on Folarin Balogun's €40m Monaco transfer and how he plans to use him with the USMNT | Goal.com". www.goal.com. August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  4. "Atlético Madrid reach deal for USMNT's Johnny Cardoso - sources". ESPN. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  5. Creditor, SkySports (May 26, 2022). "Leeds transfer news: Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson signs on a five-year deal". SkySports. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  6. Gastelum, Andrew (August 20, 2023). "USMNT Captain Tyler Adams Joins Premier League's Bournemouth". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  7. Twomey, James Horncastle and Liam. "USMNT's Pulisic completes transfer to AC Milan from Chelsea". The Athletic. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  8. "Tyler Adams: Leeds sign RB Leipzig and USA international". Sky Sports. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  9. Creditor, Avi (October 1, 2020). "Barcelona Signs U.S. Defender Sergiño Dest From Ajax". Sports Illustrated. Authentic Brands Group. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  10. Zucker, Joseph (March 3, 2021). "Weston McKennie Signed by Juventus on Permanent Transfer After Option Exercised". Bleacher Report. Turner Sports Digital. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  11. "Official: Musah joins Milan from Valencia". Football Italia. August 4, 2023.
  12. Prince-Wright, Joe (January 3, 2022). "USMNT's Ricardo Pepi completes $20 million transfer to Augsburg; is this a good fit?". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  13. Usry, Rob (May 30, 2017). "Official: John Brooks transfers to Wolfsburg". Stars and Stripes FC. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  14. Prince-Wright, Joe (July 9, 2013). "Official: Jozy Altidore signs for EPL side Sunderland in $13 million deal". ProSoccerTalk | NBC Sports. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  15. "USA goalkeeper Matt Turner joins Nottingham Forest from Arsenal". www.theguardian.com. August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  16. "USMNT transfer tracker: Weah to Juventus, Pepi commits to PSV". Fox Sports. July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  17. "USMNT: Top 10 most expensive transfers of all-time". MLS Multiplex. April 10, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  18. "Chelsea sign Slonina from Chicago Fire". ESPN.com. August 2, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  19. "Son Heung-min: Tottenham forward joins LAFC in permanent move". BBC Sport. August 6, 2025. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  20. "Atlanta United acquire Emmanuel Latte Lath in MLS-record deal". MLSSoccer. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  21. Sigal, Jonathan. "Kévin Denkey signing brings FC Cincinnati to "another level" | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  22. Bogert, Tom (February 11, 2022). "Top 12 most expensive incoming transfers in MLS history". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  23. "Alexey Miranchuk completes transfer to Atlanta United". Scarves and Spikes. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  24. "Miguel Almirón on return to Atlanta United: 'I feel at home'". ESPN. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  25. "Austin FC signs Albania forward Uzuni in club-record deal". ESPN. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  26. "Chicago Fire sign Belgian Hugo Cuypers in club-record transfer". ESPN. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  27. "Mexico's Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano to join MLS expansion side San Diego FC as first marquee signing, per report". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  28. "U.S. striker Brandon Vázquez joins Austin FC from Monterrey". ESPN. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  29. Bogert, Tom (January 3, 2022). "Top 10 most expensive outbound transfers in MLS history". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  30. "ALMADA CHEGOU". Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas (in Brazilian Portuguese). July 6, 2024. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  31. "Villa sign Chicago striker Duran in £18m deal". BBC Sport. January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  32. "Chelsea sign keeper Djordje Petrovic from New England Revolution". ESPN. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  33. Carlisle, Jeff (February 14, 2025). "Crew's Cucho Hernández seals move to Real Betis". Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  34. "Diego Gomez to Brighton & Hove Albion: The Athletic 500 transfer ratings". The Athletic. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  35. "Peter Vermes on why Gianluca Busio's transfer to Venezia made sense now". MLSsoccer. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  36. "LAFC transfer Diego Rossi to Fenerbahce, deal among most expensive in MLS history". MLSsoccer. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  37. "Why Brenden Aaronson's transfer to RB Salzburg makes sense". Mlssoccer. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  38. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/minnesota-united-transfer-tani-oluwaseyi-to-villarreal
  39. Brennan, Pat (January 3, 2024). "FC Cincinnati finalizing Brandon Vazquez transfer to Mexico's CF Monterrey". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  40. "Philadelphia Union Homegrown defender Mark McKenzie transfers to Belgium's K.R.C Genk". MLSsoccer. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  41. "Friedel Is Cleared To Join Liverpool". New York Times. December 20, 1997. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  42. Dell'Apa, Frank (January 7, 2007). "Dempsey could set the tone for future MLS transfers". ESPN Soccernet. ESPN. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  43. Bogert, Tom (January 3, 2022). "Top 10 most expensive outbound transfers in MLS history". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved May 8, 2022.