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Top 5 MLS transactions during winter transfer window

By Angelo Zarra

SINSHEIM, GERMANY - JANUARY 08: Ricardo Pepi of Augsburg warms up during the Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and FC Augsburg at PreZero-Arena on January 08, 2022 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
SINSHEIM, GERMANY - JANUARY 08: Ricardo Pepi of Augsburg warms up during the Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and FC Augsburg at PreZero-Arena on January 08, 2022 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) /
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Top MLS transfers
Ricardo Pepi left MLS to join Bundesliga side  Augsburg and has already seen action with the German club. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) /

Taking a look at the top five winter transfers made in the MLS

The MLS and Toronto FC made headlines across the globe with their record signing of reigning European champion Lorenzo Insigne.

This wasn’t the only winter off-season transaction in MLS that had major implications. As the winter window for transfers in Europe closes, we take a look back at the top 5 MLS transfers by fee value ( in US dollars ) that happened this winter.

Ricardo Pepi – $18.0 million
Pepi tops the list with the highest MLS transfer fee, as he made the move from Dallas FC to Augsburg in the Bundesliga. The 18-year-old Pepi had a breakout season in 2021 registering 13 goals in 31 MLS appearances. Augsburg is in the relegation zone and they’ve made a huge investment in hopes of avoiding demotion and staying in the Bundesliga another year. It’s a gamble for a raw youngster that has the potential to become an impact player for club and country where he’s already been called for international duty by Team USA eight times.

Daryl Dike – $9.5 million
In his two seasons with Orlando City SC in the MLS, Dike put up respectable numbers. In 2020 the American registered eight goals and last season he scored 10 times in 18 games. The forward made the move to West Brom of the EFL championship ( England’s second division). West Brom currently sit in a playoff spot and are well-positioned to earn promotion to the Premier League.

Facundo Torres – $7.5 million
The 21-year-old Uruguay international made the move from his home country to Orlando City. He will be counted on to replace Dike’s numbers. With Peñarol last season, Torres managed to pot 10 goals and assisted eight times in 33 matches in all competitions. Torres has also been featured on the Uruguay national team 10 times.

Kevin Paredes- $7.35 million
The left-footed midfielder moves to Bundesliga club Wolfsburg after 41 games with DC United in MLS. Wolfsburg have been struggling this year and currently sit just above the drop zone. They also finished last in their group in the Champions League assuring the club there will be no European contests in 2022 for them. Paredes, 18, is a young talent and if his game blossoms in Germany you can bet he will get a call-up to play for USA sooner rather than later.

Next. Barcelona sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. dark

Tajon Buchanan – $7 million
Tajon’s stock has certainly gone up since his first call-up to the Canadian national team. In the ongoing Concacaf qualifiers the world is witnessing his versatile play. His style with New England Revolution in MLS where he plays as a wing or an attacking midfielder has allowed him to showcase his speed and dribbling skills. His move to Club Brugge of the Belgium Jupiler Pro League is a good stepping stone as he will get meaningful minutes playing in a high quality European league. The 22-year-old fromBrampton, Canada, is proving to be a key player for the Canucks as they close in on their first World Cup appearance in 36 years.

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