Major League Soccer raises the curtain on its 2026 season this weekend reinforced with new stars, including Colombian James Rodriguez joining Minnesota United, German Timo Werner joining San Jose Earthquakes or Argentinean German Berterame joining Inter Miami as Lionel Messi’s partner.
Since Inter Miami CF won the MLS Cup in December, Major League Soccer’s 30 clubs have completed more than 300 incoming and outgoing transactions.
Stars coming to MLS
New challenges, same essence @MNUFC pic.twitter.com/SLM4q5NMsH
– James Rodriguez (@jamesdrodriguez) February 6, 2026
Rodríguez joins the list of stars playing in the U.S . league, which is headed by Messi himself and also includes Son Heung-min at Los Angeles FC and Thomas Müller at Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
It also joins that of prominent names who came to the United States to arrive fit for a World Cup, as Gareth Bale did in 2022 playing for LAFC.
The 34-year-old Colombian, who last season settled with Mexican club Leon after years of bouncing around the league, arrives in Minnesota to turn around a team that last season had just 39% of possession.
The signing of James is the most eye-catching after that of Werner, a striker who triumphed with Leipzig (78 goals) and the German national team (24 goals) years ago, but whose transfer to Chelsea in 2020 cut short a very promising career.
Still 29 years old, the German striker arrives at a club in search of references, especially in view of the departure of Cristian Arango to Atlético Nacional de Colombia.
For its part, Inter Miami has reinforced its squad with Germán Berterame, who came from Monterrey, where he scored 50 goals in 114 games. The Argentine striker, who competes at the international level with Mexico, is called to accompany Messi in the offensive phase of ‘Las Garzas’.
Inter Miami has also acquired Argentineans Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende, who played last year on loan at Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo. They also signed former Madrid player Sergio Reguilón to replace Jordi Alba.
In 2026, MLS will welcome back Facundo Torres after his brief stint with Palmeiras; the Uruguayan winger, who excelled at Orlando City, was signed by Austin FC for $9.5 million, a year after the Brazilian club acquired him for $14 million.
In addition, Mexico’s Héctor Herrera also returns to MLS by re-signing with Houston Dynamo FC after a year with Deportivo Toluca.
Notable departures
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The most notable departures for this new MLS season will be those of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, both of whom have retired from professional soccer after winning the MLS Cup with Inter Miami.
But there are other notable names who have left for new horizons, such as Obed Vargas, the young American soccer star who left Seattle to join Atlético de Madrid, the club of his dreams.
Venezuelan Josef Martinez signed for Tijuana after eight seasons in MLS with Atlanta United, Inter Miami, CF Montreal and San Jose.
Martinez was ‘MVP’ and Golden Boot in 2018, a season in which he emerged champion with Atlanta.
Another Golden Boot (2024), Belgian Christian Benteke, left DC United for Al-Wahda in the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, Colombia’s Luis Muriel followed in the footsteps of ‘Chicho’ Arango, swapping MLS for Colombia; in his case, swapping Orlando City for Junior de Barranquilla.
To close, Villarreal has secured the signing of 21-year-old U.S. international Alex Freeman, who arrives from Orlando City on a contract with the ‘groguets’ until 2032.
Filed under: Stars coming to MLS
With information from EFE
