Because the 
MLS season runs opposite to most European leagues, the preseason winter signing window isn’t always the most active in terms of blockbuster moves.
This winter has proven a considerable exception.
According to data from Transfermarkt, five clubs spent at least $10 million in total transfer expenditures during the still-ongoing primary window, and 13 clubs spent at least $5 million.
And what is particularly unusual is the number of high-profile, more experienced stars making the jump now, when history suggests those signings are more common in the summer window as veteran players move on from European clubs.
Here’s a ranking of the biggest 10 signings of the window so far, based on a mix of the ability to improve team performance and attract media attention.
Any loan or permanent move where a player switches clubs was considered, but transactions where loan moves became permanent deals were not. For the sake of uniformity, all financial figures are pulled from Transfermarkt and converted into United States dollars via the exchange rate on Feb. 15, 2026.
10
Louis Munteanu
DC United | Permanent transfer from CFC Cluj ($7.2 million)
Reuters Connect
New 
DC United sporting director Erkut Sogut has already made a statement of intention by putting the Black-and-Red among those clubs spending more than $10 million this winter, and the majority of that came from a club-record deal to acquire the Romanian forward who led his domestic league with 23 goals during the 2024-2025 campaign.
There isn’t a large sample of players who have moved directly from Romania to MLS in the recent past. But it includes former 
New York City FC attacker Alexandru Mitrita, who averaged 0.51 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes in portions of two seasons.
9
Sergio Reguilón
Inter Miami CF | Free transfer
Inter Miami CF wasted little time in announcing their replacement for retiring left back Jordi Alba, completing the international free-agent acquisition only nine days after lifting the 2025 MLS Cup.
Reguilón may not have the same cachet as Alba — it would be hard for anyone to match the Spaniard who practically re-invented his position — but at 28 years old, he brings a career that includes 137 league appearances between La Liga and the Premier League, with 17 more in European competition. He should also provide a higher defensive work rate than Alba, who in the final years of his career was sometimes a defensive liability despite the brilliance of his forays forward.
8
Tai Baribo
DC United | Cash trade from Philadelphia Union ($4 million)
Baribo spent most of his first year with the 
Philadelphia Unionon the bench and somehow still scored 25 goals in 54 appearances in his tenure with the club, yet it never truly felt like he was in the club’s plans. That was confirmed when they sold him to D.C. shortly after both teams’ 2025 seasons ended, and at a relatively modest price for a productive 28-year-old.
Selling a striker to one of your closest geographic rivals provides more intrigue than D.C.’s deal for Munteanu. But the latter also puts the former a more encouraging light, showing that Sogut understands that Baribo is really best as a wide player or second striker.
7
Mateusz Bogusz
Houston Dynamo | Permanent transfer from Cruz Azul ($6 million)
LAFC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz celebrates his goal scored against New Mexico United during the second half of the US Open Cup quarterfinal at BMO Stadium on July 10, 2024.
This move has gone somewhat overshadowed given Hector Herrera’s return to the 
Houston Dynamo, but ultimately, this may be the deal that has more potential to improve the Dynamo’s fortunes.
Bogusz was slightly disappointing in his Liga MX tenure, But he was a Best XI caliber performer over two seasons for LAFC, including his staggering 15-goal campaign in 2024. His pace and capability in transition will be critical for Houston to get the best out of Herrera’s passing ability from his deep-lying midfield position.
6
Facundo Torres
Austin FC | Permanent transfer from Palmeiras ($9.5 million)
The versatile Uruguayan attacker spent only one season in Brazil’s Serie A after his splashy move from 
Orlando City SC. But his move to 
Austin FC is particularly intriguing based on his potential partnership with American striker Brandon Vazquez, who is expected back from an ACL tear sometime during the later spring.
Torres also gained some incredible big-match experience in his season in Brazil, making four appearances during a run to the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals and 11 more as Palmeiras finished runners-up in the Copa Libertadores.
5
Stephen Eustáquio
Los Angeles FC | Loan transfer from FC Porto
The Canada Football international had been supplanted from the starting XI at the defending Liga Portugal champions, and comes to 
Los Angeles FC in need of regular minutes to help prepare for an enormous summer. His arrival gives the Black-and-Gold arguably the best central midfield in MLS, with Igor Jesus, Tim Tillman, Mark Delgado and another new arrival, Mathieu Choinière.
After playing like the second-best team in MLS following the summer signing of Son Heung-Min, LAFC easily look like the team most likely to supplant the 
Vancouver Whitecaps in the fight for Western Conference superiority.
4
Cristian Espinoza
Nashville SC | Free-agent signing
The Argentine wide man is arguably the best crosser in MLS, but has often struggled to get the attention he deserved while playing for a 
San Jose Earthquakes organization that was often incompetent otherwise. That included failing to do the clerical work required to pick up what should’ve been a no-brainer club option on his contract and letting the 30-year-old hit free agency.
San Jose’s loss is 
Nashville SC‘s gain. And now manager BJ Callaghan has yet another elite attacking tool to combine with 2025 MLS Golden Boot runner-up Sam Surridge and 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar.
3
Timo Werner
San Jose Earthquakes | Free transfer
Timo Werner was once one of the biggest attacking prospects on planet earth when he strung together four consecutive double-digit goal Bundesliga campaigns, including a 28-goal season that precipitated his eventual move to 
Chelsea. It’s truly astonishing how far the VfB Stuttgart product has fallen since, with 
RB Leipzig willing to let him go for free in a salary dump move.
But San Jose and MLS represent a major step down from anywhere Werner has played professionally. And in MLS, strikers almost always find some of their best form under Bruce Arena, the legendary manager now leading the Quakes in Year 2 of a promising rebuild.
2
Germán Berterame
Inter Miami CF | Permanent transfer from CF Monterrey ($15 million)
Germán Berterame has never been the kind of striker who can single-handedly win you matches. But his dual-threat ability from the center forward role makes him an ideal partner for Lionel Messi, in a manner similar to how Messi pairs with 
Inter Milan‘s Lautaro Martínez for the 
Argentina Football national team. Berterame also has shown a knack for scoring goals in international club competition.
Perhaps the Herons could’ve negotiated the price down from the automatic release clause in Berterame’s contract. But that would’ve taken some time, and Miami have some awful big games coming early in the season in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
1
James Rodríguez
Minnesota United | Free transfer
Courtesy of Minnesota United FC
Was there ever any doubt? Yes, James Rodríguez has had an inconsistent club career. He was also named the best player at the 2024 Copa America and then led CONMEBOL in assists during qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
And maybe most importantly, at 
Minnesota United, the recent system the Loons have employed really isn’t all that different from what Rodríguez’s Colombia Football side has excelled at: eschewing possession and then countering at pace. He is no longer a vertical player with his legs, but he can still hit the long ball as well as anyone in this hemisphere.
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