A new report by Football Benchmark and World Football Summit reveals that MLS is no longer just a league that signs global stars at the end of their careers. The data tells a different story: a league recruiting developing talent from Latin America while exporting its most promising young players to Europe’s top competitions — to the Bundesliga at an average age of 19, and to the Premier League at 21.
That picture is completed by a clear strategic split. This season, MLS clubs chose between two roster construction models: the Designated Player pathway or the U22 Initiative. Fifteen clubs chose each, while squad values range from €83.3m at Inter Miami to €14.8m at San Jose Earthquakes.
Download the full report below.