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Designated Player Rule

Major League Soccer rule

Major League Soccer rule

The Designated Player Rule, nicknamed the Beckham Rule, allows Major League Soccer franchises to sign up to three players that would be considered outside their salary cap (either by offering the player higher wages or by paying a transfer fee for the player). The rule, which was adopted ahead of the 2007 MLS season, enables teams to compete for star players in the international football market. The rule is one of two mechanisms by which MLS teams may exceed their salary cap, the other being allocation money. As of December 2019, there have been 209 Designated Players in league history.

The rule is informally named after David Beckham, in anticipation of MLS teams signing lucrative deals with internationally recognized players, after Beckham entered into negotiations to join the league. Beckham was the first player signed under this rule, signing a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 with a guaranteed annual salary of $6.5 million.

History

The team salary cap was estimated to be around US$1.9 million in 2006, was $2.1 million in 2007, and was raised to $2.3 million for the 2008 season. As part of the 2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement between MLS and the MLS Players' Union, the 2010 salary cap was $2.55 million, with an automatic five percent increase each year until the expiration of the agreement at the end of the 2014 season.

Under the 2007 rule:

  • The rule expires at the end of the 2009 season, and must be renewed then or allowed to lapse.
  • For each Designated Player, $400,000 of his salary is charged to the salary cap and paid by the league, with any remaining salary being paid by the team's operator. This value was increased for the 2009 season to $415,000.
  • Prior to the 2007 season, there were three players whose salary exceeded $400,000. These players were Landon Donovan, Carlos Ruiz, and Eddie Johnson. According to the rule, these players were grandfathered in for the 2007 season, and the exemption was extended after the 2007 season, with the league planning to review the issue at a future date. It was possible that the league would be required to renegotiate these players' contracts or consider them Designated Players. However, prior to the start of the 2008 season, Johnson moved to Fulham of the Premier League, |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080127164821/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/7202841.stm |archive-date= January 27, 2008 |url-status = live while following Dwayne De Rosario's signing by Toronto FC in January 2009, Ruiz was released by the club and left MLS to play for Olimpia Asunción. This left Donovan as the lone player whose 2009 salary remained grandfathered under the exemption provision. However, there were several more players whose guaranteed salary exceeded the Designated Player amount, but whose salary cap expense was actually lower than their true salary due to the allocation rule. These players include Shalrie Joseph ($450,000), Christian Gomez ($430,000), Dwayne De Rosario ($425,750), and Taylor Twellman ($420,000).
  • Each team initially had one Designated Player spot, but could trade their Designated Spot to another team; teams were allowed a maximum of two Designated Players.
  • Only $325,000 of a team's second Designated Player counted against the salary cap, which was increased to $335,000 in 2009.

The 2010 changes:

  • The rule has no expiration date.
  • For each Designated Player, $335,000 of his salary is charged to the salary cap and paid by the league ($167,500 for DP players joining during the MLS summer transfer window), with any remaining salary being paid by the team's operator. This amount is halved for Designated Players signed in the middle of the season. The salary cap value of Designated Players can also be reduced using allocation money. Finally, teams whose Designated Players transfer abroad in the middle of a season can recoup part of the Designated Players' salary cap value.
  • Landon Donovan is no longer grandfathered into the rule and must be considered a Designated Player.
  • Each team is allowed two Designated Player spots, and they can no longer trade their Designated Player spots. The New York Red Bulls will receive $70,000 in allocation money in return for the nullification of their 2007 trade with Chivas USA for an additional Designated Player spot. This means that both New York and Chivas USA will have two Designated Player spots for the 2010 season.
  • Teams can pay a $250,000 "luxury tax" for the right to sign a third Designated Player. This $250,000 would be distributed equally to all MLS teams that have not signed a third Designated Player in the form of allocation money.

The 2012 changes:

Starting with the 2012 season, the rule was changed with respect to younger players. MLS announced the changes in August 2011 after clubs expressed concern about signing young international players with no guarantees that they would develop into stars.

  • Designated Players over the age of 23 will carry a salary budget charge of $350,000, unless the player joins his club in the middle of the season, in which case his budget charge will be $175,000.
  • Designated Players 21–23 years old count as $200,000 against the club's salary budget.
  • Designated Players 20 years old or younger count as $150,000 against the club's salary budget.
  • The budget charge for the midseason signing of a young Designated Player (23 years old and younger) is $150,000 and this amount cannot be lowered with allocation funds.
  • Clubs will not have to buy the third DP roster slot to accommodate Designated Players 23 years old and younger.
  • Age of player is determined by year (not date) of birth.

The maximum budget charge for Designated Players over age 23 was increased to $368,750 for 2013, $387,500 in 2014, $436,250 in 2015, $457,500 in 2016, and $480,625 in 2017. The budget charge for those who join during the midseason transfer window has remained at one-half of the full-season cap charge since the inception of the rule. The budget charges for younger players have not changed since 2012.

Background

The rule is informally named after David Beckham, in anticipation of MLS teams signing lucrative deals with internationally recognized players of Beckham's caliber. Beckham was the first player to be signed under this rule, signing a lucrative contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy worth up to $250 million over five years, with direct guaranteed compensation from MLS and Galaxy at $6.5 million a year.

Current Designated Players

Year signed
as DPPlayerNationalityCurrent club2025 guaranteed compensation
2017SVKSeattle Sounders$2,575,000
2019ESPNew England Revolution$4,702,083
2020GERNashville SC$5,311,667
2020ARGNashville SC$2,002,000
2021{{sortnameTalles Magno}}BRANew York City FC
2021SCOVancouver Whitecaps$3,675,000
2022BRANew York City FC$2,162,000
2022PRYVancouver Whitecaps$1,146,375
2022GABLos Angeles FC$3,709,500
2023BRALA Galaxy$1,370,284
2023{{sortnameEvanderEvander (footballer)}}BRAFC Cincinnati
2023HUNColumbus Crew$2,597,643
2023ARGOrlando City$1,032,600
2023≠ESPLA Galaxy$5,779,688
2023COLSan Jose Earthquakes$2,216,667
2023BRAColorado Rapids$1,449,600
2023ARGInter Miami$20,446,667
2023ENGNashville SC$3,182,639
2023URUColumbus Crew$3,426,827
2024SWENew York Red Bulls$6,035,625
2024ARGSeattle Sounders$1,379,000
2024BRALA Galaxy$2,459,000
2024CROFC Dallas$2,680,000
2024BELChicago Fire$3,528,044
2024GHALA Galaxy$4,182,000
2024ISRCharlotte FC$2,548,500
2024URUPortland Timbers$3,627,500
2024ARGHouston Dynamo$2,852,200
2024GERSt. Louis City SC$2,183,113
2024ITAMinnesota United$1,477,200
2024RUSAtlanta United$4,885,441
2024ARGMinnesota United$754,800
2025MEXSan Diego FC$7,633,333
2025TOGFC Cincinnati$3,810,000
2025CMRNew York Red Bulls$3,530,667
2025USAAustin FC$3,551,778
2025USASeattle Sounders$2,260,000
2025CIVChicago Fire$5,581,806
2025CIVCharlotte FC$2,751,667
2025DENSan Diego FC$2,434,314
2025ALBAustin FC$2,225,000
2025PRYAtlanta United$7,871,000
2025SRBSporting Kansas City$3,306,250
2025ESPSporting Kansas City$2,325,313
2025CIVAtlanta United$4,030,546
2025CROOrlando City$1,650,667
2025PORPortland Timbers$3,425,000
2025URUPhiladelphia Union$726,700
2025ARGNew York City FC$3,650,000
2025PLEColumbus Crew$2,157,375
2025USANew England Revolution$1,942,886
2025KORLos Angeles FC$11,152,852
2025USAToronto FC$2,278,335
2025NORPortland Timbers$3,027,000
2025USAColorado Rapids$2,228,063
2025ESPCF Montréal$1,991,200
2026ARGInter Miami$3,619,320
2026GERVancouver Whitecaps$1,436,956
2026ISRD.C. United$810,000
2026ROMD.C. United$n/a
2026{{sortnameGuilhermeGuilherme (footballer, born 1995)}}BRAHouston Dynamo
2026URUAustin FC$n/a
2026GERSan Jose Earthquakes$n/a
2026POLHouston Dynamo$n/a
2026MEXInter Miami$n/a

Notes

  • Chart indicates when players signed their current Designated Player contract, not necessarily their first year in MLS.
  • Other players in MLS may also be paid a salary that takes them above the Designated Player threshold, but they have had their salary reduced against the salary cap using General or Targeted Allocation Money.
  • Player salaries may be below the Designated Player threshold, but their transfer fee might mean the total compensation takes them above the threshold.
  • Player salaries include compensation from their MLS contract, not including any bonuses or compensation from contracts with individual teams or their affiliates. † Player on loan at another club outside MLS

‡ Player on loan from another club inside MLS

≠ Player on season-ending injury list, so not necessarily an active Designated Player

Club DP history

Notes

  • The below list indicates players who have had their contract assigned as a Designated Player (DP) contract during their time in MLS. Players may have not always have had a DP contract, or have later had their contract negotiated below a DP level. Similarly, some players have been in MLS whose salary has been at a DP level, but the club has opted to bring their salary below the DP threshold using General Allocation Money or Targeted Allocation Money. Their listed "Years as DP" indicates what seasons they were active as a DP for that club only. Players in bold are currently signed to a DP contract by their club.
  • Former MLS sides Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny were dissolved before the introduction of the Designated Player Rule.

Atlanta United FC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
PRY Héctor VillalbaARG San Lorenzo2017
PRY Miguel AlmirónARG Lanús2017–2018, 2025–
VEN Josef MartínezITA Torino2017–2022
ARG Esequiel BarcoARG Independiente2018–2021
ARG Pity MartínezARG River Plate2019–2020
ARG Marcelino MorenoARG Lanús2020
ARG Alan FrancoARG Independiente2021
BRA Luiz AraújoFRA Lille2021–2023
ARG Thiago AlmadaARG Vélez Sarsfield2022–2024
GRE Giorgos GiakoumakisSCO Celtic2023–2024
GEO Saba LobzhanidzeTUR Hatayspor2023
NOR Stian Rode GregersenFRA Bordeaux2024
RUS Aleksei MiranchukITA Atalanta2024–
CIV Emmanuel Latte LathENG Middlesbrough2025–

Austin FC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
PRY Cecilio DomínguezARG Independiente2021–2022
ARG Tomás PochettinoARG Talleres2021
ARG Sebastián DriussiRUS Zenit Saint Petersburg2021–2024
FIN Alexander RingUSA New York City FC2022–2024
ARG Emiliano RigoniBRA São Paulo2022–2024
GHA Osman BukariSRB Red Star Belgrade2024–2025
USA Brandon VázquezMEX Monterrey2025–
ALB Myrto UzuniESP Granada2025–
URU Facundo TorresBRA Palmeiras2026–

Charlotte FC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
ECU Jordy AlcívarECU L.D.U. Quito2022
POL Karol ŚwiderskiGRE PAOK2022–2023, 2024
POL Kamil JóźwiakENG Derby County2022–2023
ARG Enzo CopettiARG Racing Club2023–2024
ISR Liel AbadaSCO Celtic2024–
ESP Pep BielGRE Olympiacos2024
CIV Wilfried ZahaTUR Galatasaray2025–

Chicago Fire FC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
MEX Cuauhtémoc BlancoMEX América2007–2009
SWE Freddie LjungbergUSA Seattle Sounders2010
MEX Nery CastilloUKR Shakhtar Donetsk2010
URU Álvaro FernándezUSA Seattle Sounders2012–2013
NED Sherjill MacDonaldBEL Germinal Beerschot2012–2013
URU Federico PuppoURU Danubio2012–2014
URU Egidio Arévalo RíosMEX Tijuana2013
ECU Juan Luis AnangonóECU El Nacional2013–2014
BRA GilbertoCAN Toronto FC2015–2016
GHA David AccamSWE Helsingborg2015–2017
SCO Shaun MaloneyENG Wigan Athletic2015
NGR Kennedy IgboananikeSWE AIK2015–2016
HUN Nemanja NikolićPOL Legia Warsaw2017–2019
GER Bastian SchweinsteigerENG Manchester United2017–2019
SRB Aleksandar KataiESP Alavés2019
Slovenia Robert BerićFRA Saint-Étienne2020–2021
ARG Ignacio AlisedaARG Defensa y Justicia2020–2021
Paraguay Gastón GiménezARG Vélez Sarsfield2020–2022, 2024
SUI Xherdan ShaqiriFRA Lyon2022–2024
MEX Jairo TorresMEX Atlas2022–2023
CIV Ousmane DoumbiaSUI Lugano2023
BEL Hugo CuypersBEL Gent2024–
CIV Jonathan BambaESP Celta Vigo2025–

Chivas USA (defunct)

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
COL Juan Pablo ÁngelUSA LA Galaxy2011–2012
ECU Oswaldo MindaECU Deportivo Quito2012–2014
Grenada Shalrie JosephUSA New England Revolution2012
MEX Erick TorresMEX Guadalajara2013–2014
ARG Mauro RosalesUSA Seattle Sounders2014

FC Cincinnati

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
NGA Fanendo AdiUSA Portland Timbers2019
CRC Allan CruzCRC Herediano2019–2020
JPN Yuya KuboBEL Gent2020, 2021–2022
Curaçao Jürgen LocadiaENG Brighton & Hove Albion2020–2021
BRA BrennerBRA São Paulo2021–2023
ARG Luciano AcostaMEX Atlas2021–2024
NGR Obinna NwobodoTUR Göztepe2022–2024
GAB Aaron BoupendzaKSA Al-Shabab2023–2024
TOG Kévin DenkeyBEL Cercle Brugge2025–
BRA EvanderUSA Portland Timbers2025–

Colorado Rapids

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
PAN Gabriel TorresVEN Zamora2013–2015
ARG Juan RamírezARG Argentinos Juniors2015–2017
IRE Kevin DoyleENG Wolverhampton Wanderers2015–2016
ALB Shkëlzen GashiSUI Basel2016–2018
USA Tim HowardENG Everton2016–2019
DEN Younes NamliRUS Krasnodar2020–2021
USA Gyasi ZardesUSA Columbus Crew2022
FRA Kévin CabralUSA LA Galaxy2023–2025
DEN Andreas MaxsøDEN Brøndby2023
BRA Rafael NavarroBRA Palmeiras2023–
USA Djordje MihailovicNED AZ2023–2025
USA Paxten AaronsonGER Eintracht Frankfurt2025–

Columbus Crew

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
ARG Guillermo Barros SchelottoARG Boca Juniors2009–2010
PER Andrés MendozaTUR Diyarbakırspor2010–2011
ARG Federico HiguaínARG Colón2012–2019
Sierra Leone Kei KamaraENG Middlesbrough2016
GHA Jonathan MensahRUS Anzhi Makhachkala2017
POR Pedro SantosPOR Braga2017–2019
USA Gyasi ZardesUSA LA Galaxy2019–2022
USA Darlington NagbeUSA Atlanta United2020–2025
ARM Lucas ZelarayánMEX Tigres UANL2020–2023
COL Cucho HernándezENG Watford2022–2024
URU Diego RossiTUR Fenerbahçe2023–
HUN Dániel GazdagUSA Philadelphia Union2025–
PLE Wessam Abou AliEGY Al Ahly2025–

FC Dallas

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
BRA DenílsonKSA Al-Nassr2007
COL David FerreiraBRA Atlético Paranaense2009–2013
COL Fabián CastilloCOL Deportivo Cali2011–2015
CAN Julian de GuzmanCAN Toronto FC2012
FRA Eric HassliCAN Toronto FC2013
ARG Mauro DíazARG River Plate2013–2016
COL Andrés EscobarUKR Dynamo Kyiv2014
URU David TexeiraNED Groningen2014–2015
ECU Carlos GruezoGER VfB Stuttgart2016–2018
ECU Aníbal ChaláECU El Nacional2017
PRY Cristian ColmánPRY Nacional Asunción2017–2018
COL Santiago MosqueraCOL Millonarios2018–2020
HND Bryan AcostaESP Tenerife2019–2021
CHI Pablo AránguizCHI Unión Española2019
ARG Franco JaraMEX Pachuca2020–2022
USA Jesús FerreiraUSA FC Dallas Academy2022–2024
ARG Alan VelascoARG Independiente2022–2024
CRO Petar MusaPOR Benfica2024–
ARG Luciano AcostaUSA FC Cincinnati2025

D.C. United

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
BRA Luciano EmílioHND Olimpia2008–2009
ARG Marcelo GallardoFRA Paris Saint-Germain2008
Montenegro Branko BoškovićAustria Rapid Wien2010–2012
CAN Dwayne De RosarioUSA New York Red Bulls2011–2013
ALB Hamdi SalihiAustria Rapid Wien2012
BRA Rafael GladiadorBRA Bahia2013
USA Eddie JohnsonUSA Seattle Sounders2014–2015
ARG Fabián EspíndolaUSA New York Red Bulls2015–2016
USA Paul ArriolaMEX Tijuana2017–2021
ENG Wayne RooneyENG Everton2018–2019
ARG Lucas RodríguezARG Estudiantes2019
PER Edison FloresMEX Morelia2020–2022
GRE Taxiarchis FountasAUT Rapid Wien2022–2023
ISL Victor PálssonGER Schalke 042022
BEL Christian BentekeENG Crystal Palace2022–
POL Mateusz KlichENG Leeds United2023–2025
FIN Matti PeltolaFIN HJK2024
ISR Tai BariboUSA Philadelphia Union2026–
ROU Louis MunteanuROU CFR Cluj2026–

Houston Dynamo FC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
MEX Luis Ángel LandínMEX Morelia2009–2010
HND Boniek GarcíaHND Olimpia2012–2014
JAM Giles BarnesENG Doncaster Rovers2012–2016
HND Alexander LópezHND Olimpia2013–2014
USA DaMarcus BeasleyMEX Puebla2014–2016
COL Mauro ManotasCOL Uniautónoma2015–2016, 2020
MEX Erick TorresMEX Guadalajara2015–2017
HND Alberth ElisMEX Monterrey2017–2020
ARG Tomás MartínezPOR Braga2017–2019
COL Darwin QuinteroUSA Minnesota United2020–2021
ZIM Teenage HadebeTUR Yeni Malatyaspor2021–2023
PRY Sebastián FerreiraPRY Libertad2022–2024
MEX Héctor HerreraESP Atlético Madrid2022–2024
ARG Ezequiel PonceGRE AEK Athens2024–
BRA ArturUSA Columbus Crew2025
CZE Ondřej LingrCZE Slavia Prague2025
BRA GuilhermeBRA Santos2026–
POL Mateusz BoguszMEX Cruz Azul2026–

Inter Miami CF

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
ARG Matías PellegriniARG Estudiantes2020
MEX Rodolfo PizarroMEX Monterrey2020–2023
ARG Gonzalo HiguaínITA Juventus2020–2022
FRA Blaise MatuidiITA Juventus2021
BRA GregoreBRA Bahia2021–2023
ESP Alejandro PozueloCAN Toronto FC2022
ECU Leonardo CampanaENG Wolverhampton Wanderers2023–2024
ARG Lionel MessiFRA Paris Saint-Germain2023–
ESP Sergio BusquetsESP Barcelona2023–2025
ESP Jordi AlbaESP Barcelona2025
ARG Rodrigo De PaulESP Atlético Madrid2026–
MEX Germán BerterameMEX Monterrey2026–

Sporting Kansas City

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
ARG Claudio LópezARG Racing Club2008
MEX Omar BravoMEX Guadalajara2011
BRA JéfersonBRA Vasco da Gama2011
ARG Claudio BielerECU L.D.U. Quito2013–2014
USA Matt BeslerUSA University of Notre Dame2014–2016
USA Graham ZusiUSA University of Maryland2014–2017
HND Roger EspinozaENG Wigan Athletic2015–2018
CHI Diego RubioESP Valladolid2016
GNB Gerso FernandesPOR Belenenses2017
FRA Yohan CroizetBEL Mechelen2018–2019
CHI Felipe GutiérrezESP Real Betis2018–2020
SCO Johnny RussellENG Derby County2019–2024
MEX Alan PulidoMEX Guadalajara2020–2024
ISR Gadi KindaISR Beitar Jerusalem2021–2023
SRB Nemanja RadojaESP Levante2024
HUN Dániel SallóiHUN Újpest2024
SRB Dejan JoveljićUSA LA Galaxy2025–
ESP Manu GarcíaGRE Aris2025–

LA Galaxy

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
ENG David BeckhamESP Real Madrid2007–2012
USA Landon DonovanGER Bayer Leverkusen2010–2014
COL Juan Pablo ÁngelUSA New York Red Bulls2011
IRE Robbie KeaneENG Tottenham Hotspur2011–2016
USA Omar GonzalezUSA University of Maryland2013–2015
ENG Steven GerrardENG Liverpool2015–2016
MEX Giovani dos SantosESP Villarreal2015–2018
BEL Jelle Van DammeBEL Standard Liège2016–2017
FRA Romain AlessandriniFRA Marseille2017–2019
MEX Jonathan dos SantosESP Villarreal2017–2021
SWE Zlatan IbrahimovićENG Manchester United2019
ARG Cristian PavónARG Boca Juniors2020
MEX Javier HernándezESP Sevilla2020–2023
FRA Kévin CabralFRA Valenciennes2021–2022
BRA Douglas CostaITA Juventus2022–2023
ESP Riqui PuigESP Barcelona2023–2025
BRA Gabriel PecBRA Vasco da Gama2024–
GHA Joseph PaintsilBEL Genk2024–
BRA João KlaussUSA St. Louis City2026–

Los Angeles FC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
MEX Carlos VelaESP Real Sociedad2018–2023
URU Diego RossiURU Peñarol2018–2021
POR André HortaPOR Benfica2018–2019
URU Brian RodríguezURU Peñarol2019–2021
GAB Denis BouangaFRA Saint-Étienne2022–
COL Eduard AtuestaBRA Palmeiras2024
FRA Olivier GiroudITA AC Milan2024–2025
TUR Cengiz ÜnderTUR Fenerbahçe2025
KOR Son Heung-minENG Tottenham Hotspur2025–

Minnesota United FC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
COL Darwin QuinteroMEX América2018–2019
COL Ángelo RodríguezCOL Deportes Tolima2018–2019
SVK Ján GregušDEN Copenhagen2019–2021
URU Thomás ChacónURU Danubio2019–2020
ARG Emanuel ReynosoARG Boca Juniors2020–2024
FRA Adrien HunouFRA Rennes2021–2022
PRY Luis AmarillaARG Vélez Sarsfield2022–2023
COL Ménder GarcíaCOL Once Caldas2022–2023
FIN Teemu PukkiENG Norwich City2023–2024
ITA Kelvin YeboahITA Genoa2024–
ARG Joaquín PereyraARG Atlético Tucumán2024–

CF Montréal

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
ITA Marco Di VaioITA Bologna2012–2014
ARG Hernán BernardelloESP Almería2013–2014
ARG Ignacio PiattiARG San Lorenzo2014–2019
CIV Didier DrogbaENG Chelsea2015–2016
ARG Lucas OntiveroTUR Galatasaray2016
SUI Blerim DžemailiITA Bologna2017
ALG Saphir TaïderITA Bologna2018–2020
KEN Victor WanyamaENG Tottenham Hotspur2020–2024
SVN Aljaž StrunaUSA Houston Dynamo2021
USA Djordje MihailovicUSA Chicago Fire2021
ALB Giacomo VrioniUSA New England Revolution2025
ESP Iván JaimePOR Porto2025–

Nashville SC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
GER Hany MukhtarDEN Brøndby2020–
CRC Randall LealCRC Saprissa2020–2021
VEN Jhonder CádizPOR Benfica2020–2021
CIV Aké Arnaud LobaMEX Monterrey2021–2023
USA Walker ZimmermanUSA Los Angeles FC2022–2025
ENG Sam SurridgeENG Nottingham Forest2023–
ARG Cristian EspinozaUSA San Jose Earthquakes2026–

New England Revolution

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
ARG Milton CaraglioARG Rosario Central2011
Grenada Shalrie JosephUSA New York Freedom2012
HND Jerry BengtsonHND Motagua2012–2014
USA Jermaine JonesTUR Beşiktaş2014–2015
POR José GonçalvesSUI Sion2016
CIV Xavier KouassiSUI Sion2016–2017
Sierra Leone Kei KamaraUSA Columbus Crew2016–2017
FRA Claude DielnaENG Sheffield Wednesday2018
ESP Carles GilESP Deportivo La Coruña2019–
ARG Gustavo BouMEX Tijuana2019–2023
POL Adam BuksaPOL Pogoń Szczecin2020–2022
ALB Giacomo VrioniITA Juventus2022–2024
ARG Tomás ChancalayARG Racing Club2024–2025
USA Matt TurnerFRA Lyon2025–

New York City FC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
ESP David VillaESP Atlético Madrid2014–2018
ENG Frank LampardENG Manchester City2015–2016
ITA Andrea PirloITA Juventus2015–2017
ARG Maximiliano MoralezMEX León2017–2021
PRY Jesús MedinaPRY Libertad2018–2021
ROU Alexandru MitrițăROU Universitatea Craiova2019–2020
BRA Talles MagnoBRA Vasco da Gama2021–
BRA Thiago MartinsJPN Yokohama F. Marinos2022–
URU Santiago RodríguezURU Montevideo City Torque2023–2025
ARG Nicolás FernándezESP Elche2025–

New York Red Bulls

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
USA Claudio ReynaENG Manchester City2007–2008
COL Juan Pablo ÁngelENG Aston Villa2007–2010
FRA Thierry HenryESP Barcelona2010–2014
MEX Rafael MárquezESP Barcelona2010–2012
GER Frank RostGER Hamburger SV2011
AUS Tim CahillENG Everton2012–2014
ENG Bradley Wright-PhillipsENG Charlton Athletic2015–2016, 2017–2019
ARG Gonzalo VerónARG San Lorenzo2015–2017
USA Sacha KljestanBEL Anderlecht2016–2017
ISR Omer DamariGER RB Leipzig2016
PAR KakuARG Huracán2018–2021
ENG Josh SimsENG Southampton2019–2020
ENG Dru YearwoodENG Brentford2020–2021
POL Patryk KlimalaSCO Celtic2021–2022
BRA LuquinhasPOL Legia Warsaw2022–2023
BEL Dante VanzeirBEL Union SG2023–2024
SWE Emil ForsbergGER RB Leipzig2024–
URU Felipe CarballoBRA Grêmio2024
CMR Eric Maxim Choupo-MotingGER Bayern Munich2025–

Orlando City SC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
BRA KakáITA Milan2014–2017
COL Carlos RivasCOL Deportivo Cali2015–2017
HND Bryan RóchezHND Real España2015–2016
ARG Matías Pérez GarcíaUSA San Jose Earthquakes2016–2017
JAM Giles BarnesCAN Vancouver Whitecaps2017
PER Yoshimar YotúnSWE Malmö FF2017
USA Dom DwyerUSA Sporting Kansas City2018–2020
USA Sacha KljestanUSA New York Red Bulls2018
PRY Josué ColmánPRY Cerro Porteño2018–2019
POR NaniPOR Sporting CP2019–2021
URU Mauricio PereyraRUS Krasnodar2019–2022
URU Facundo TorresURU Peñarol2022–2024
AUT Ercan KaraAUT Rapid Wien2022–2023
ARG Martín OjedaARG Godoy Cruz2023–
COL Luis MurielITA Atalanta2024–2025
CRO Marco PašalićCRO HNK Rijeka2025–

Philadelphia Union

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
USA Freddy AduPOR Benfica2011–2012
BRA José KlébersonBRA Bahia2013
ARG Cristian MaidanaCHI Rangers de Talca2014–2015
USA Maurice EduENG Stoke City2014–2017
VEN Fernando AristeguietaFRA Nantes2015
USA Alejandro BedoyaFRA Nantes2016–2019
CZE Bořek DočkalCHN Henan Jianye2018
MEX Marco FabiánGER Eintracht Frankfurt2019
CPV Jamiro MonteiroFRA Metz2020–2021
ARG Julián CarranzaUSA Inter Miami2022–2024
DEN Mikael UhreDEN Brøndby2022–2025
HUN Dániel GazdagHUN Budapest Honvéd2023–2025
URU Bruno DamianiURU Nacional2025–

Portland Timbers

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
COL Diego CharáCOL Deportes Tolima2011–2013
SCO Kris BoydTUR Eskişehirspor2012
ARG Diego ValeriARG Lanús2013–2019
NGR Fanendo AdiDEN Copenhagen2014–2015, 2016–2018
ENG Liam RidgewellENG West Bromwich Albion2014–2016
ARG Lucas MelanoARG Lanús2015–2016, 2019
ARG Sebastián BlancoARG San Lorenzo2017–2023
ARG Brian FernándezMEX Necaxa2019
COL Yimmi CharáBRA Atlético Mineiro2020–2023
POL Jarosław NiezgodaPOL Legia Warsaw2020–2023
BRA EvanderDEN Midtjylland2023–2024
URU Jonathan RodríguezMEX América2024–2025
POR David da CostaFRA Lens2025–
NOR Kristoffer VeldeGRE Olympiacos2025–
URU Felipe CarballoBRA Grêmio2025–

Real Salt Lake

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
CRC Álvaro SaboríoSUI Sion2011–2015
ARG Javier MoralesESP Vecindario2011–2015
USA Kyle BeckermanUSA Colorado Rapids2015
ECU Joao PlataCAN Toronto FC2015–2016
CHI Sebastián JaimeCHI Unión Española2014–2015
ARG Juan Manuel MartínezARG Boca Juniors2015–2016
ARM Yura MovsisyanRUS Spartak Moscow2016–2017
Slovakia Albert RusnákNED Groningen2017–2021
VEN Jefferson SavarinoVEN Zulia
BRA Atlético Mineiro2017–2019
2022–2023
LBR Sam JohnsonNOR Vålerenga2019–2020
VEN Jeizon RamírezVEN Deportivo Táchira2020–2021
CRO Damir KreilachGER Union Berlin2020–2023
COL Cristian ArangoMEX Pachuca2023–2024
POR Diogo GonçalvesDEN Copenhagen2024–2025
BRA Rwan CruzBRA Botafogo2025

St. Louis City SC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
BRA João KlaussGER TSG 1899 Hoffenheim2023–2025
GER Eduard LöwenGER Hertha BSC2023–2024
GER Marcel HartelGER FC St. Pauli2024–
SWI Roman BürkiGER Borussia Dortmund2026–

San Diego FC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
MEX Hirving LozanoNED PSV Eindhoven2025–
DEN Anders DreyerBEL Anderlecht2025–

San Jose Earthquakes

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
BRA GeovanniENG Hull City2010
USA Chris WondolowskiUSA Houston Dynamo2013–2019
ARG Matías Pérez GarcíaARG Tigre2014–2016
SUI Innocent EmegharaAzerbaijan Qarabağ2015–2016
JAM Simon DawkinsENG Derby County2016–2017
Georgia Valeri QazaishviliNED Vitesse2017–2020
SWE Magnus ErikssonSWE Djurgårdens IF2018
ARG Cristian EspinozaESP Villarreal2020–
MEX Javier Eduardo LópezMEX Guadalajara2021–2022
CPV Jamiro MonteiroUSA Philadelphia Union2022–2023
ECU Carlos GruezoGER FC Augsburg2023–2025
ARG Hernán LópezARG Godoy Cruz2024–2025
COL Cristian ArangoUSA Real Salt Lake2025–
GER Timo WernerGER RB Leipzig2026–

Seattle Sounders FC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
SWE Freddie LjungbergENG West Ham United2009–2010
URU Álvaro FernándezURU Nacional2010–2012
SUI Blaise NkufoNED Twente2010
COL Fredy MonteroCOL Deportivo Cali2011-2012
ARG Mauro RosalesARG River Plate2011–2013
GER Christian TiffertGER Kaiserslautern2012–2013
Grenada Shalrie JosephUSA Chivas USA2013
NGR Obafemi MartinsESP Levante2013–2015
USA Clint DempseyENG Tottenham Hotspur2013–2018
Cuba Osvaldo AlonsoUSA Charleston Battery2014–2018
PRY Nelson ValdezGER Eintracht Frankfurt2015–2016
URU Nicolás LodeiroARG Boca Juniors2016–2023
PER Raúl RuidíazMEX Morelia2018–2024
ESP Víctor RodríguezESP Sporting Gijón2019
ECU Xavier ArreagaECU Barcelona S.C.2019
BRA João PauloBRA Botafogo2020–2021
Slovakia Albert RusnákUSA Real Salt Lake2022–
ARG Pedro de la VegaARG Lanús2024–
USA Jordan MorrisUSA Seattle Sounders Academy2025–

Toronto FC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
CAN Julian de GuzmanESP Deportivo La Coruña2009–2012
ESP MistaESP Deportivo La Coruña2010
NED Danny KoevermansNED PSV Eindhoven2011–2013
GER Torsten FringsGER Werder Bremen2011–2012
FRA Eric HassliCAN Vancouver Whitecaps2012
ARG Matías LabaARG Argentinos Juniors2013
BRA GilbertoBRA Internacional2014
USA Michael BradleyITA Roma2014–2019
ENG Jermain DefoeENG Tottenham Hotspur2014–2015
ITA Sebastian GiovincoITA Juventus2015–2018
USA Jozy AltidoreENG Sunderland2015–2021
ESP Alejandro PozueloBEL Genk2019–2022
ARG Pablo PiattiESP Espanyol2020
VEN Yeferson SoteldoBRA Santos2021
MEX Carlos SalcedoMEX Tigres UANL2022
ITA Lorenzo InsigneITA Napoli2022–2025
ITA Federico BernardeschiITA Juventus2022–2025
CAN Jonathan OsorioCAN SC Toronto2023–2024
CAN Richie LaryeaENG Nottingham Forest2024
USA Djordje MihailovicUSA Colorado Rapids2025–

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

PlayerPrevious clubYears as DP
FRA Eric HassliSUI Zürich2011–2012
GAM Mustapha JarjuBEL Mons2011
SCO Barry RobsonENG Middlesbrough2012
SCO Kenny MillerWAL Cardiff City2012–2014
ARG Matías LabaCAN Toronto FC2014–2017
ARG Mauro RosalesUSA Chivas USA2014
CHI Pedro MoralesESP Málaga2014–2016
URU Octavio RiveroCHI O'Higgins2015–2016
COL Fredy MonteroChina Tianjin TEDA
POR Sporting CP2017
2019
USA Brek SheaUSA Orlando City2017–2018
CRC Kendall WastonCRC Saprissa2018
KOR Hwang In-beomKOR Daejeon Citizen2019–2020
URU Joaquín ArdaizSUI Chiasso2019
IRQ Ali Adnan KadhimITA Udinese2019–2021
CAN Lucas CavalliniMEX Puebla2020–2022
SCO Ryan GauldPOR Farense2021–
PRY Andrés CubasFRA Nîmes2022–
VEN Sergio CórdovaGER FC Augsburg2023
SCO Stuart ArmstrongENG Southampton2024
GER Thomas MüllerGER Bayern Munich2026–

Past and present Designated Players by country

NumberCountryPlayers
58ARG ArgentinaLuciano Acosta, Ignacio Aliseda, Thiago Almada, Esequiel Barco, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Hernán Bernardello, Claudio Bieler, Sebastián Blanco, Gustavo Bou, Milton Caraglio, Julián Carranza, Tomás Chancalay, Enzo Copetti, Pedro de la Vega, Rodrigo De Paul, Mauro Díaz, Sebastián Driussi, Fabián Espíndola, Cristian Espinoza, Brian Fernández, Nicolás Fernández, Alan Franco, Marcelo Gallardo, Federico Higuaín, Gonzalo Higuaín, Sebastián Jaime, Franco Jara, Matías Laba, Claudio López, Hernán López, Cristian Maidana, Juan Manuel Martínez, Pity Martínez, Tomás Martínez, Lucas Melano, Lionel Messi, Javier Morales, Maximiliano Moralez, Marcelino Moreno, Martín Ojeda, Lucas Ontivero, Cristian Pavón, Matías Pellegrini, Joaquín Pereyra, Matías Pérez García, Ignacio Piatti, Pablo Piatti, Tomás Pochettino, Ezequiel Ponce, Juan Edgardo Ramírez, Emanuel Reynoso, Emiliano Rigoni, Lucas Rodríguez, Mauro Rosales, Diego Valeri, Gonzalo Verón, Milton Valenzuela, Alan Velasco
29USA United StatesPaxten Aaronson, Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore, Paul Arriola, DaMarcus Beasley, Kyle Beckerman, Alejandro Bedoya, Matt Besler, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Dom Dwyer, Maurice Edu, Jesús Ferreira, Omar Gonzalez, Tim Howard, Eddie Johnson, Jermaine Jones, Djordje Mihailovic, Jordan Morris, Darlington Nagbe, Claudio Reyna, Brek Shea, Matt Turner, Brandon Vázquez, Chris Wondolowski, Gyasi Zardes, Walker Zimmerman, Graham Zusi
22BRA BrazilLuiz Araújo, Artur, Brenner, Douglas Costa, Rwan Cruz, Denílson, Luciano Emílio, Evander, Geovanni, Gilberto, Rafael Gladiador, Guilherme, Jéferson, Kaká, João Klauss, José Kléberson, Luquinhas, Talles Magno, Thiago Martins, Rafael Navarro, João Paulo, Gabriel Pec
19MEX MexicoGermán Berterame, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Omar Bravo, Nery Castillo, Marco Fabián, Javier Hernández, Héctor Herrera, Luis Ángel Landín, Javier Eduardo López, Hirving Lozano, Rafael Márquez, Rodolfo Pizarro, Alan Pulido, Carlos Salcedo, Giovani dos Santos, Jonathan dos Santos, Erick Torres, Jairo Torres, Carlos Vela
16COL ColombiaJuan Pablo Ángel, Cristian Arango, Eduard Atuesta, Fabián Castillo, Diego Chará, Yimmi Chará, Andrés Ramiro Escobar, David Ferreira, Ménder García, Cucho Hernández, Mauro Manotas, Fredy Montero, Santiago Mosquera, Luis Muriel, Darwin Quintero, Ángelo Rodríguez
16URU UruguayJoaquín Ardaiz, Felipe Carballo, Thomás Chacón, Bruno Damiani, Álvaro Fernández, Nicolás Lodeiro, Mauricio Pereyra, Federico Puppo, Egidio Arévalo Rios, Octavio Rivero, Brian Rodríguez, Jonathan Rodríguez, Santiago Rodríguez, Diego Rossi, David Texeira, Facundo Torres
12PRY ParaguayMiguel Almirón, Luis Amarilla, Cristian Colmán, Josué Colmán, Andrés Cubas, Cecilio Domínguez, Sebastián Ferreira, Gastón Giménez, Kaku, Jesús Medina, Nelson Valdez, Héctor Villalba
11ESP SpainJordi Alba, Pep Biel, Sergio Busquets, Manu García, Carles Gil, Iván Jaime, Mista, Alejandro Pozuelo, Riqui Puig, Víctor Rodríguez, David Villa
10ENG EnglandDavid Beckham, Jermain Defoe, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Liam Ridgewell, Wayne Rooney, Josh Sims, Sam Surridge, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Dru Yearwood
9FRA FranceRomain Alessandrini, Kévin Cabral, Yohan Croizet, Claude Dielna, Olivier Giroud, Eric Hassli, Thierry Henry, Adrien Hunou, Blaise Matuidi
9GER GermanyTorsten Frings, Marcel Hartel, Eduard Löwen, Hany Mukhtar, Thomas Müller, Frank Rost, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Christian Tiffert, Timo Werner
8ECU EcuadorJordy Alcívar, Juan Luis Anangonó, Xavier Arreaga, Leonardo Campana, Aníbal Chalá, Carlos Gruezo, Oswaldo Minda, Joao Plata
7HND HondurasBryan Acosta, Jerry Bengtson, Alberth Elis, Roger Espinoza, Boniek García, Alexander López, Bryan Róchez
7CIV Ivory CoastJonathan Bamba, Ousmane Doumbia, Didier Drogba, Xavier Kouassi, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Aké Arnaud Loba, Wilfried Zaha
7POL PolandMateusz Bogusz, Adam Buksa, Kamil Jóźwiak, Mateusz Klich, Patryk Klimala, Jarosław Niezgoda, Karol Świderski
7SCO ScotlandStuart Armstrong, Kris Boyd, Ryan Gauld, Shaun Maloney, Kenny Miller, Barry Robson, Johnny Russell
7VEN VenezuelaFernando Aristeguieta, Jhonder Cádiz, Sergio Córdova, Josef Martínez, Jeizon Ramírez, Jefferson Savarino, Yeferson Soteldo
6ITA ItalyFederico Bernardeschi, Marco Di Vaio, Sebastian Giovinco, Lorenzo Insigne, Andrea Pirlo, Kelvin Yeboah
6POR PortugalDavid da Costa, Diogo Gonçalves, José Gonçalves, André Horta, Nani, Pedro Santos
5CAN CanadaLucas Cavallini, Julian de Guzman, Dwayne De Rosario, Richie Laryea, Jonathan Osorio
5CRC Costa RicaAllan Cruz, Luis Díaz, Randall Leal, Álvaro Saborío, Kendall Waston
4ALB AlbaniaShkëlzen Gashi, Hamdi Salihi, Myrto Uzuni, Giacomo Vrioni
4BEL BelgiumChristian Benteke, Hugo Cuypers, Jelle Van Damme, Dante Vanzeir
4CHI ChilePablo Aránguiz, Felipe Gutiérrez, Pedro Morales, Diego Rubio
4DEN DenmarkAnders Dreyer, Andreas Maxsø, Younes Namli, Mikael Uhre
4GHA GhanaDavid Accam, Osman Bukari, Jonathan Mensah, Joseph Paintsil
4ISR IsraelLiel Abada, Tai Baribo, Omer Damari, Gadi Kinda
4NGA NigeriaFanendo Adi, Kennedy Igboananike, Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nwobodo
4PER PeruEdison Flores, Andrés Mendoza, Raúl Ruidíaz, Yoshimar Yotún
4SWE SwedenMagnus Eriksson, Emil Forsberg, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Freddie Ljungberg
4SUI SwitzerlandBlerim Džemaili, Innocent Emeghara, Blaise Nkufo, Xherdan Shaqiri
3CRO CroatiaDamir Kreilach, Petar Musa, Marco Pašalić
3FIN FinlandMatti Peltola, Teemu Pukki, Alexander Ring
3HUN HungaryDániel Gazdag, Nemanja Nikolić, Dániel Sallói
3SRB SerbiaDejan Joveljić, Aleksandar Katai, Nemanja Radoja
2ARM ArmeniaYura Movsisyan, Lucas Zelarayán
2CZE CzechiaBořek Dočkal, Ondřej Lingr
2GAB GabonDenis Bouanga, Aaron Boupendza
2GEO GeorgiaSaba Lobzhanidze, Valeri Qazaishvili
2GRE GreeceTaxiarchis Fountas, Giorgos Giakoumakis
2IRE IrelandKevin Doyle, Robbie Keane
2JAM JamaicaGiles Barnes, Simon Dawkins
2NED NetherlandsDanny Koevermans, Sherjill MacDonald
2NOR NorwayStian Rode Gregersen, Kristoffer Velde
2ROM RomaniaAlexandru Mitriță, Louis Munteanu
2SVK SlovakiaJán Greguš, Albert Rusnák
2Slovenia SloveniaRobert Berić, Aljaž Struna
2KOR South KoreaHwang In-beom, Son Heung-min
1ALG AlgeriaSaphir Taïder
1AUS AustraliaTim Cahill
1AUT AustriaErcan Kara
1CMR CameroonEric Maxim Choupo-Moting
1CPV Cape VerdeJamiro Monteiro
1CUB CubaOsvaldo Alonso
1Curaçao CuraçaoJürgen Locadia
1GAM GambiaMustapha Jarju
1GRN GrenadaShalrie Joseph
1GNB Guinea-BissauGerso Fernandes
1ISL IcelandVictor Pálsson
1IRQ IraqAli Adnan Kadhim
1JPN JapanYuya Kubo
1KEN KenyaVictor Wanyama
1LBR LiberiaSam Johnson
1MNE MontenegroBranko Bošković
1PLE PalestineWessam Abou Ali
1PAN PanamaGabriel Torres
1RUS RussiaAleksei Miranchuk
1SLE Sierra LeoneKei Kamara
1TOG TogoKévin Denkey
1TUR TurkeyCengiz Ünder
1ZIM ZimbabweTeenage Hadebe

References

References

  1. Wahl, Grant. (November 28, 2011). "Hollywood Ending: If this was indeed David Beckham's final game in MLS, he went out in style, carrying the Galaxy to a championship and affirming the value of star power in America".
  2. Lansley, Pete. (April 13, 2007). "Becks could be the next American idol". [[The Telegraph (Calcutta).
  3. "PlayersUnion". Mlsplayers.org.
  4. (January 12, 2007). "Beckham hopes to make US history". [[BBC]].
  5. Goff, Steven. (April 26, 2006). "Palencia Has Richest MLS Salary". [[The Washington Post]].
  6. Mickle, Tripp. (November 26, 2007). "Debate highlights MLS salary cap split". Sports Business Journal.
  7. Bell, Jack. (March 18, 2009). "In M.L.S., Designated Players Do Not Guarantee Great Expectations". [[The New York Times]].
  8. (February 24, 2009). "Galaxy, Milan, Inter wait on Becks". CNN.
  9. Mayers, Joshua. (April 1, 2010). "Major League Soccer adds second DP slot, can purchase a third (league release)". The Seattle Times.
  10. "2012 MLS Roster Rules". mlssocer.com.
  11. "Roster Rules and Regulations". Major League Soccer.
  12. "A Look into NYCFC's 2014 Payroll (or "David Villa is making k")". Empire of Soccer.
  13. "2024 MLS Player Salaries". Major League Soccer Players Union.
  14. "MLS Roster Rules and Regulations - MLSsoccer.com".
  15. "Former MLS Designated Players".
  16. (August 15, 2024). "Austin FC Acquires $1,075,000 in General Allocation Money". Austin FC.
  17. (August 18, 2017). "Jelle van Damme completes exit from LA Galaxy and joins Royal Antwerp". ESPN.
  18. "Roster | Nashville SC".
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