Major League Soccer's Secondary Transfer Window kicked off on July 5, and teams wasted no time in making moves.
In the West, LAFC looks to be making several changes to the roster by saying goodbye to Kwadwo Opoku while bringing Mamadou Fall back from his loan with Villarreal. In the East, Tristan Muyumba joins Atlanta United to inspire change within Gonzalo Pineda's squad.
Here are all the latest MLS transfers...
1. Kwadwo Opoku to CF Montreal
In a shocking move, LAFC transferred Kwadwo Opoku to CF Montreal in exchange for $1.65m in 2023 General Allocation Money and $100k in 2024 General Allocation Money.
The deal includes one of the league’s largest-ever GAM trades.
Opoku departs LAFC with seven goals and three assists in 34 appearances after arriving in October 2020 from the Attram De Visser Soccer Academy in Ghana. He helped the Western Conference giants lift the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup, sealing his name in team history.
"Mahala has been an incredible story and an important player for us over the last few years," LAFC co-president & general manager John Thorrington said in a release
"These decisions are never easy but are at times necessary. It has been great to watch him grow and develop as a player on the field and a person off the pitch. We are grateful for all of his contributions to LAFC and wish him the best of luck in his career."
No one saw this move coming, especially as LAFC currently struggle to find their ground after failing to balance all competitions.
2. Mamadou Fall returns to LAFC
Mamadou Fall returns to LAFC following his loan with La Liga team Villarreal CF. He will become eligible for selection pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.
The defender joined Villarreal in August 2022, and went on to score three goals in 25 appearances for the B team. Fall only played twice for the senior squad.
Fall will now join Jesus Murillo, Aaron Long and Giorgio Chiellini at the back for LAFC, as the team attempts to emerge from a haunting 2W-5D streak since losing to Leon in the Concacaf Champions League final.
3. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi returns to MLS
Head coach Adrian Heath is strengthening Minnesota United’s roster with the signing of MLS veteran winger Ismael Tajouri-Shradi.
He joins from Cypriot first-division club AC Omonia through the 2023 MLS season, with club options for 2024 and 2025. He previously featured for New York City FC, New England Revolution and LAFC, making him no stranger to Major League Soccer.
Tajouri-Shradi will not occupy an international roster slot.
"First and foremost, we know what we are getting, he knows the league, he knows the teams and he has proven himself capable of scoring goals," Minnesota head coach Adrian Heath said in a release.
"He’s shown that he can score for different clubs in MLS, around one goal every three games for a wide player is very much the standard."
4. Tristan Muyumba joins Atlanta United
Atlanta United have signed Tristan Muyumba from Ligue 2 side EA Guingamp through the 2027 MLS season, using Targeted Allocation Money. The defensive midfielder departs France’s second division with four goals and five assists in 72 games.
"Tristan is a player we are excited to bring into our team this summer," Atlanta United VP and technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a release.
"He’s a versatile midfielder who can cover ground defensively and progress the ball forward in attack. His playing profile and skill set fit well with our team and are a good complement to the group of players we have on the roster."
He joins as the team undergoes a roster revamp, letting go of defenders Franco Ibarra and Andrew Gutman.
5. Cristian Casseres Jr. joins Ligue 1 side Toulouse FC
New York Red Bulls’ Cristian Casseres Jr. is off to Ligue 1 side Toulouse FC.
He departs after six seasons with the MLS team, where he managed 14 goals and 19 assists in 116 regular-season appearances. The move comes just as his contract was set to expire following the 2023 MLS campaign.
"We want to thank Cristian for his commitment to the club for the last six seasons," head of sport Jochen Schneider said in a release.
"Cristian always represented the club in a great manner, both on and off the field, and we wish him and his family the best in the next step of his career."
This article was originally published on 90min as MLS transfer roundup: Kwadwo Opoku leaves LAFC for Montreal, Atlanta United sign Tristan Muyumba.
