The 10 most expensive signings in MLS history – & how they fared

Some huge names have graced Major League Soccer since it was founded in 1995 including David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry and Andrea Pirlo. But who are the most expensive signings in MLS history and how have they performed?

Star names have gone to North America’s premier soccer league for years, often to see out the end of their careers. But many have moved on a free at the end of their contracts with European clubs, so few of the biggest stars actually feature in the top 10 most expensive acquisitions in the league’s history.

Instead, the list of big-money MLS signings is in large part a testament to clubs’ more recent ploy of snapping up hot young prospects and slightly older classy operators from South America.

But who are Major League Soccer’s most expensive arrivals (according to Transfermarkt) and how did they get on? We’ve taken a look.

The all-action crown prince of US soccer and a 151-cap veteran of the USMNT, Bradley moved back to MLS in 2014 after eight years on European shores – including a thoroughly forgettable loan in the Premier League with Aston Villa.

He signed for Toronto FC for £8.18million after leaving Roma, for whom he had scored two goals in 46 appearances.

At Toronto, he has become a bona fide club legend, playing over 250 times and winning both the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in 2017.

One of two Europeans on this list, Defoe moved to the same club in the same year as Bradley for exactly the same fee. But he enjoyed nowhere near the same level of success or longevity in Toronto, leaving after a single campaign.

Best known for his goalscoring exploits with Tottenham and West Ham, the east Londoner did manage 12 goals in 21 games for the Canadian side, but was troubled by injuries