Designated Player 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 soccer 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.

David Beckham was the league's first Designated Player, with the rule being nicknamed the "Beckham Rule".

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.[1][2] Beckham was the first player signed under this rule, signing a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy with a guaranteed annual salary of $6.5 million.[3][4]

History

The team salary cap was estimated to be around US$1.9 million in 2006,[5] was $2.1 million in 2007, and was raised to $2.3 million for the 2008 season.[6][7] 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[7][8] of his salary is charged to the salary cap and paid by the league, with any remaining salary being paid by the team's owner. 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,[9] 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.[7]

The 2010 changes:[10]

  • 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 owner. 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:[11]

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.[12]

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.[1][2] 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.[3] The rest of Beckham's increased earnings would come from Beckham regaining the entirety of his image rights, of which Real Madrid had owned fifty percent, effectively doubling his existing endorsement income, as well as new endorsement deals, a share of jersey sales, bonuses, etc.[4]

Current Designated Players
As of April 14, 2022[13]
Year signed
as DP		PlayerNationalityCurrent club2021 guaranteed compensation[14]
2016Nicolás LodeiroSeattle Sounders FC$2,736,667
2017Albert RusnákSeattle Sounders FC$2,351,667
2017Josef MartínezAtlanta United$3,891,667
2017Sebastián BlancoPortland Timbers$2,313,333
2018Carlos VelaLos Angeles FC$6,300,000
2018Damir KreilachReal Salt Lake$1,350,000
2018Raúl RuidíazSeattle Sounders FC$2,100,000
2019Johnny RussellSporting Kansas City$1,600,000
2019Carles GilNew England Revolution$2,769,667
2019Alejandro PozueloToronto FC$4,693,000
2019Gyasi ZardesColorado Rapids$1,400,000
2019Mauricio PereyraOrlando City$1,800,000
2019Brian RodríguezLos Angeles FC$1,039,800
2019Gustavo BouNew England Revolution$2,120,000
2020Hany MukhtarNashville SC$1,505,000
2020Darlington NagbeColumbus Crew$1,710,000
2020Alan PulidoSporting Kansas City$2,200,000
2020Cristian EspinozaSan Jose Earthquakes$1,265,000
2020Lucas CavalliniVancouver Whitecaps FC$1,362,500
2020Adam BuksaNew England Revolution$1,106,250
2020Lucas ZelarayánColumbus Crew$1,985,000
2020Yimmi CharáPortland Timbers$1,392,000
2020Jamiro MonteiroSan Jose Earthquakes$1,476,250
2020Edison FloresD.C. United$1,733,000
2020Javier HernándezLA Galaxy$6,000,000
2020Franco JaraFC Dallas$2,977,000
2020Jarosław NiezgodaPortland Timbers$908,758
2020Rodolfo PizarroInter Miami
(currently on loan to Monterrey)		$3,350,000
2020Gastón GiménezChicago Fire$2,358,667
2020Victor WanyamaCF Montréal$3,091,667
2020Emanuel ReynosoMinnesota United$966,910
2020Gonzalo HiguaínInter Miami$5,793,750
2021Cecilio DomínguezAustin FC$1,736,000
2021 BrennerFC Cincinnati$1,760,418
2021Javier Eduardo LópezSan Jose Earthquakes$860,000
2021Luciano AcostaFC Cincinnati$2,222,854
2021Kévin CabralLA Galaxy$1,440,000
2021Patryk KlimalaNew York Red Bulls$1,135,000
2021Gadi KindaSporting Kansas City$918,000
2021Adrien HunouMinnesota United$2,587,702
2021 Talles MagnoNew York City FC$1,198,000
2021Teenage HadebeHouston Dynamo$1,125,177
2021Aké LobaNashville SC$1,318,475
2021Sebastián DriussiAustin FC$2,688,420
2021Ryan GauldVancouver Whitecaps FC$2,025,000
2021Luiz AraújoAtlanta United$3,941,667
2022Jordy AlcívarCharlotte FC$n/a
2022Alexander RingAustin FC$1,095,000
2022Julián CarranzaPhiladelphia Union$n/a
2022Sebastián FerreiraHouston Dynamo$n/a
2022Jesús FerreiraFC Dallas$n/a
2022Facundo TorresOrlando City$n/a
2022Karol ŚwiderskiCharlotte FC$n/a
2022Ercan KaraOrlando City$n/a
2022Mikael UhrePhiladelphia Union$n/a
2022Carlos SalcedoToronto FC$n/a
2022Alan VelascoFC Dallas$n/a
2022Thiago MartinsNew York City FC$n/a
2022Thiago AlmadaAtlanta United$n/a
2022Xherdan ShaqiriChicago Fire$n/a
2022Douglas CostaLA Galaxy$n/a
2022 LuquinhasNew York Red Bulls$n/a
2022Jairo TorresChicago Fire$n/a
2022Luis AmarillaMinnesota United$n/a
2022Kamil JóźwiakCharlotte FC$n/a
2022Taxiarchis FountasD.C. United$n/a
2022Obinna NwobodoFC Cincinnati$n/a
2022Walker ZimmermanNashville SC$n/a
2022Lorenzo InsigneToronto FC$n/a
2022Héctor HerreraHouston Dynamo$n/a
2023 KlaussSt. Louis City SC$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.[15]
  • 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.

Club DP history
As of August 3, 2021[16]

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
Player Previous club Years as DP
Héctor Villalba San Lorenzo 2017
Miguel Almirón Lanús 2017–2018
Josef Martínez Torino 2017–
Esequiel Barco Independiente 2018–2021
Pity Martínez River Plate 2019–2020
Marcelino Moreno Lanús 2020
Alan Franco Independiente 2021
Luiz Araújo Lille 2021–
Thiago Almada Vélez Sarsfield 2022–

Austin FC
Player Previous club Years as DP
Cecilio Domínguez Independiente 2021–
Tomás Pochettino Talleres 2021
Sebastián Driussi Zenit Saint Petersburg 2021–
Alexander Ring New York City FC 2022–

Charlotte FC
Player Previous club Years as DP
Jordy Alcívar L.D.U. Quito 2022–
Karol Świderski PAOK 2022–
Kamil Jóźwiak Derby County 2022–

Chicago Fire
Player Previous club Years as DP
Cuauhtémoc Blanco América 2007–2009
Freddie Ljungberg Seattle Sounders FC 2010
Nery Castillo Shakhtar Donetsk 2010
Álvaro Fernández Seattle Sounders FC 2012–2013
Sherjill MacDonald Germinal Beerschot 2012–2013
Federico Puppo Danubio 2012–2014
Egidio Arévalo Ríos Tijuana 2013
Juan Luis Anangonó El Nacional 2013–2014
Gilberto Toronto FC 2015–2016
David Accam Helsingborg 2015–2017
Shaun Maloney Wigan Athletic 2015
Kennedy Igboananike AIK 2015–2016
Nemanja Nikolić Legia Warsaw 2017–2019
Bastian Schweinsteiger Manchester United 2017–2019
Aleksandar Katai Alavés 2019
Robert Berić Saint-Étienne 2020–2021
Ignacio Aliseda Defensa y Justicia 2020–2021
Gastón Giménez Vélez Sarsfield 2020–
Xherdan Shaqiri Lyon 2022–
Jairo Torres Atlas 2022–

Chivas USA (defunct)
Player Previous club Years as DP
Juan Pablo Ángel LA Galaxy 2011–2012
Oswaldo Minda Deportivo Quito 2012–2014
Shalrie Joseph New England Revolution 2012
Erick Torres Guadalajara 2013–2014
Mauro Rosales Seattle Sounders FC 2014

FC Cincinnati
Player Previous club Years as DP
Fanendo Adi Portland Timbers 2019
Allan Cruz Herediano 2019–2020
Yuya Kubo Gent 2020, 2021–2022
Jürgen Locadia Brighton & Hove Albion 2020–2021
Brenner São Paulo 2021–
Luciano Acosta Atlas 2021–
Obinna Nwobodo Göztepe 2022–

Colorado Rapids
Player Previous club Years as DP
Gabriel Torres Zamora 2013–2015
Juan Edgardo Ramírez Argentinos Juniors 2015–2017
Kevin Doyle Wolverhampton Wanderers 2015–2016
Shkëlzen Gashi Basel 2016–2018
Tim Howard Everton 2016–2019
Younes Namli Krasnodar 2020–2021
Gyasi Zardes Columbus Crew 2022–

Columbus Crew
Player Previous club Years as DP
Guillermo Barros Schelotto Boca Juniors 2009–2010
Andrés Mendoza Diyarbakırspor 2010–2011
Federico Higuaín Colón 2012–2019
Kei Kamara Middlesbrough 2016
Jonathan Mensah Anzhi Makhachkala 2017
Pedro Santos Braga 2017–2019
Milton Valenzuela Newell's Old Boys 2018–2019
Gyasi Zardes LA Galaxy 2019–2022
Luis Díaz Herediano 2019
Darlington Nagbe Atlanta United 2020–
Lucas Zelarayán UANL 2020–

FC Dallas
Player Previous club Years as DP
Denílson Al-Nassr 2007
David Ferreira Atlético Paranaense 2009–2013
Fabián Castillo Deportivo Cali 2011–2015
Julian de Guzman Toronto FC 2012
Eric Hassli Toronto FC 2013
Mauro Díaz River Plate 2013–2016
Andrés Escobar Dynamo Kyiv 2014
David Texeira Groningen 2014–2015
Carlos Gruezo VfB Stuttgart 2016–2018
Aníbal Chalá El Nacional 2017
Cristian Colmán Nacional Asunción 2017–2018
Santiago Mosquera Millonarios 2018–2020
Bryan Acosta Tenerife 2019–2021
Pablo Aránguiz Unión Española 2019
Franco Jara Pachuca 2020–
Jesús Ferreira FC Dallas Academy 2022–
Alan Velasco Independiente 2022–

D.C. United
Player Previous club Years as DP
Luciano Emílio Olimpia 2008–2009
Marcelo Gallardo Paris Saint-Germain 2008
Branko Bošković Rapid Wien 2010–2012
Dwayne De Rosario New York Red Bulls 2011–2013
Hamdi Salihi Rapid Wien 2012
Rafael Bahia 2013
Eddie Johnson Seattle Sounders FC 2014–2015
Fabián Espíndola New York Red Bulls 2015–2016
Paul Arriola Tijuana 2017–2021
Wayne Rooney Everton 2018–2019
Lucas Rodríguez Estudiantes 2019
Edison Flores Morelia 2020–
Taxiarchis Fountas Rapid Wien 2022–

Houston Dynamo
Player Previous club Years as DP
Luis Ángel Landín Morelia 2009–2010
Boniek García Olimpia 2012–2014
Giles Barnes Doncaster Rovers 2012–2016
Alexander López Olimpia 2013–2014
DaMarcus Beasley Puebla 2014–2016
Mauro Manotas Uniautónoma 2015–2016, 2020
Erick Torres Guadalajara 2015–2017
Alberth Elis Monterrey 2017–2020
Tomás Martínez Braga 2017–2019
Darwin Quintero Minnesota United 2020–2021
Teenage Hadebe Yeni Malatyaspor 2021–
Sebastián Ferreira Libertad 2022–
Héctor Herrera Atlético Madrid 2022–

Inter Miami CF
Player Previous club Years as DP
Matías Pellegrini Estudiantes 2020
Rodolfo Pizarro Monterrey 2020–
Gonzalo Higuaín Juventus 2020–
Blaise Matuidi Juventus 2021

LA Galaxy
Player Previous club Years as DP
David Beckham Real Madrid 2007–2012
Landon Donovan Bayer Leverkusen 2010–2014
Juan Pablo Ángel New York Red Bulls 2011
Robbie Keane Tottenham Hotspur 2011–2016
Omar Gonzalez University of Maryland 2013–2015
Steven Gerrard Liverpool 2015–2016
Giovani dos Santos Villarreal 2015–2018
Jelle Van Damme Standard Liège 2016–2017[17]
Romain Alessandrini Marseille 2017–2019
Jonathan dos Santos Villarreal 2017–2021
Zlatan Ibrahimović Manchester United 2019
Cristian Pavón Boca Juniors 2020
Javier Hernández Sevilla 2020–
Kévin Cabral Valenciennes 2021–
Douglas Costa Juventus 2022–

Los Angeles FC
Player Previous club Years as DP
Carlos Vela Real Sociedad 2018–
Diego Rossi Peñarol 2018–2021
André Horta Benfica 2018–2019
Brian Rodríguez Peñarol 2019–2020, 2021–

Minnesota United FC
Player Previous club Years as DP
Darwin Quintero América 2018–2019
Ángelo Rodríguez Deportes Tolima 2018–2019
Ján Greguš Copenhagen 2019–2021
Thomás Chacón Danubio 2019–2020
Emanuel Reynoso Boca Juniors 2020–
Adrien Hunou Rennes 2021–
Luis Amarilla Vélez Sarsfield 2022–

CF Montréal
Player Previous club Years as DP
Marco Di Vaio Bologna 2012–2014
Hernán Bernardello Almería 2013–2014
Ignacio Piatti San Lorenzo 2014–2019
Didier Drogba Chelsea 2015–2016
Lucas Ontivero Galatasaray 2016
Blerim Džemaili Bologna 2017
Saphir Taïder Bologna 2018–2020
Victor Wanyama Tottenham Hotspur 2020–
Aljaž Struna Houston Dynamo 2021
Djordje Mihailovic Chicago Fire 2021

Nashville SC
Player Previous club Years as DP
Hany Mukhtar[18] Brøndby IF 2020–
Randall Leal Saprissa 2020–2021
Jhonder Cádiz Benfica 2020–2021
Aké Loba Monterrey 2021–
Walker Zimmerman Los Angeles FC 2022–

New England Revolution
Player Previous club Years as DP
Milton Caraglio Rosario Central 2011
Shalrie Joseph New York Freedom 2012
Jerry Bengtson Motagua 2012–2014
Jermaine Jones Beşiktaş 2014–2015
José Gonçalves Sion 2016
Xavier Kouassi Sion 2016–2017
Kei Kamara Columbus Crew SC 2016–2017
Claude Dielna Sheffield Wednesday 2018
Carles Gil Deportivo La Coruña 2019–
Gustavo Bou Tijuana 2019–
Adam Buksa Pogoń Szczecin 2020–

New York City FC
Player Previous club Years as DP
David Villa Atlético Madrid 2014–2018
Frank Lampard Manchester City 2015–2016
Andrea Pirlo Juventus 2015–2017
Maximiliano Moralez León 2017–2021
Jesús Medina Libertad 2018–2021
Alexandru Mitriță Universitatea Craiova 2019–2020
Talles Magno Vasco da Gama 2021–
Thiago Martins Yokohama F. Marinos 2022–

New York Red Bulls
Player Previous club Years as DP
Claudio Reyna Manchester City 2007–2008
Juan Pablo Ángel Aston Villa 2007–2010
Thierry Henry Barcelona 2010–2014
Rafael Márquez Barcelona 2010–2012
Frank Rost Hamburger SV 2011
Tim Cahill Everton 2012–2014
Bradley Wright-Phillips Charlton Athletic 2015–2016, 2017–2019
Gonzalo Verón San Lorenzo 2015–2017
Sacha Kljestan Anderlecht 2016–2017
Omer Damari RB Leipzig 2016
Alejandro Romero Gamarra Huracán 2018–2021
Josh Sims Southampton 2019–2020
Dru Yearwood Brentford 2020–2021
Patryk Klimala Celtic 2021–
Luquinhas Legia Warsaw 2022–

Orlando City SC
Player Previous club Years as DP
Kaká Milan 2014–2017
Carlos Rivas Deportivo Cali 2015–2017
Bryan Róchez Real España 2015–2016
Matías Pérez García San Jose Earthquakes 2016–2017
Giles Barnes Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2017
Yoshimar Yotún Malmö FF 2017
Dom Dwyer Sporting Kansas City 2018–2020
Sacha Kljestan New York Red Bulls 2018
Josué Colmán Cerro Porteño 2018–2019
Nani Sporting CP 2019–2021
Mauricio Pereyra Krasnodar 2019–
Facundo Torres Peñarol 2022–
Ercan Kara Rapid Wien 2022–

Philadelphia Union
Player Previous club Years as DP
Freddy Adu Benfica 2011–2012
Kléberson Bahia 2013
Cristian Maidana Rangers de Talca 2014–2015
Maurice Edu Stoke City 2014–2017
Fernando Aristeguieta Nantes 2015
Alejandro Bedoya Nantes 2016–2019
Bořek Dočkal Henan Jianye 2018
Marco Fabián Eintracht Frankfurt 2019
Jamiro Monteiro Metz 2020–2021
Julián Carranza Inter Miami 2022–
Mikael Uhre Brøndby 2022–

Portland Timbers
Player Previous club Years as DP
Diego Chará Deportes Tolima 2011–2013
Kris Boyd Eskişehirspor 2012
Diego Valeri Lanús 2013–2019
Fanendo Adi Copenhagen 2014–2015, 2016–2018
Liam Ridgewell West Bromwich Albion 2014–2016
Lucas Melano Lanús 2015–2016, 2019
Sebastián Blanco San Lorenzo 2017–
Brian Fernández Necaxa 2019
Yimmi Chará Atlético Mineiro 2020–
Jarosław Niezgoda Legia Warsaw 2020–

Real Salt Lake
Player Previous club Years as DP
Álvaro Saborío Sion 2011–2015
Javier Morales Vecindario 2011–2015
Kyle Beckerman Colorado Rapids 2015
Joao Plata Toronto FC 2015–2016
Sebastián Jaime Unión Española 2014–2015
Juan Manuel Martínez Boca Juniors 2015–2016
Yura Movsisyan Spartak Moscow 2016–2017
Albert Rusnák Groningen 2017–2021
Jefferson Savarino Zulia 2017–2019
Sam Johnson Vålerenga 2019–2020
Jeizon Ramírez Deportivo Táchira 2020–2021
Damir Kreilach Union Berlin 2020–

St. Louis City SC
Player Previous club Years as DP
Klauss TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 2023–

San Jose Earthquakes
Player Previous club Years as DP
Geovanni Hull City 2010
Chris Wondolowski Houston Dynamo 2013–2019
Matías Pérez García Tigre 2014–2016
Innocent Emeghara Qarabağ 2015–2016
Simon Dawkins Derby County 2016–2017
Valeri Qazaishvili Vitesse 2017–2020
Magnus Eriksson Djurgårdens IF 2018
Cristian Espinoza Villarreal 2020–
Javier Eduardo López Guadalajara 2021–
Jamiro Monteiro Philadelphia Union 2022–

Seattle Sounders FC
Player Previous club Years as DP
Freddie Ljungberg West Ham United 2009–2010
Álvaro Fernández Nacional 2010–2012
Blaise Nkufo Twente 2010
Fredy Montero Deportivo Cali 2011-2012
Mauro Rosales River Plate 2011–2013
Christian Tiffert 1. FC Kaiserslautern 2012–2013
Shalrie Joseph Chivas USA 2013
Obafemi Martins Levante 2013–2015
Clint Dempsey Tottenham Hotspur 2013–2018
Osvaldo Alonso Charleston Battery 2014–2018
Nelson Valdez Eintracht Frankfurt 2015–2016
Nicolás Lodeiro Boca Juniors 2016–
Raúl Ruidíaz Morelia 2018–
Víctor Rodríguez Sporting Gijón 2019
Xavier Arreaga Barcelona SC 2019
João Paulo Botafogo 2020–2021
Albert Rusnák Real Salt Lake 2022–

Sporting Kansas City
Player Previous club Years as DP
Claudio López Racing Club 2008
Omar Bravo Guadalajara 2011
Jéferson Vasco da Gama 2011
Claudio Bieler Liga de Quito 2013–2014
Matt Besler University of Notre Dame 2014–2016
Graham Zusi University of Maryland 2014–2017
Roger Espinoza Wigan Athletic 2015–2018
Diego Rubio Valladolid 2016
Gerso Fernandes Belenenses 2017
Yohan Croizet KV Mechelen 2018–2019
Felipe Gutiérrez Real Betis 2018–2020
Johnny Russell Derby County 2019–
Alan Pulido Guadalajara 2020–
Gadi Kinda Beitar Jerusalem 2021–

Toronto FC
Player Previous club Years as DP
Julian de Guzman Deportivo La Coruña 2009–2012
Mista Deportivo La Coruña 2010
Danny Koevermans PSV Eindhoven 2011–2013
Torsten Frings Werder Bremen 2011–2012
Eric Hassli Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2012
Matías Laba Argentinos Juniors 2013
Gilberto Internacional 2014
Michael Bradley Roma 2014–2019
Jermain Defoe Tottenham Hotspur 2014–2015
Sebastian Giovinco Juventus 2015–2018
Jozy Altidore Sunderland 2015–2021
Alejandro Pozuelo Genk 2019–
Pablo Piatti Espanyol 2020
Yeferson Soteldo Santos 2021
Carlos Salcedo UANL 2022–
Lorenzo Insigne Napoli 2022–

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Player Previous club Years as DP
Eric Hassli Zürich 2011–2012
Mustapha Jarju R.A.E.C. Mons 2011
Barry Robson Middlesbrough 2012
Kenny Miller Cardiff City 2012–2014
Matías Laba Toronto FC 2014–2017
Mauro Rosales Chivas USA 2014
Pedro Morales Málaga 2014–2016
Octavio Rivero O'Higgins 2015–2016
Fredy Montero Tianjin TEDA
Sporting CP		 2017
2019
Brek Shea Orlando City 2017–2018
Kendall Waston Saprissa 2018
Hwang In-beom Daejeon Citizen 2019–2020
Joaquín Ardaiz Chiasso 2019
Ali Adnan Udinese 2019–2021
Lucas Cavallini Puebla 2020–
Ryan Gauld Farense 2021–

Past and present Designated Players by country
Number Country Players
47 Argentina Luciano Acosta, Ignacio Aliseda, Thiago Almada, Esequiel Barco, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Hernán Bernardello, Claudio Bieler, Sebastián Blanco, Gustavo Bou, Milton Caraglio, Julián Carranza, Mauro Díaz, Sebastián Driussi, Fabián Espíndola, Cristian Espinoza, Brian Fernández, Alan Franco, Marcelo Gallardo, Federico Higuaín, Gonzalo Higuaín, Sebastián Jaime, Franco Jara, Matías Laba, Claudio López, Cristian Maidana, Juan Manuel Martínez, Pity Martínez, Tomás Martínez, Lucas Melano, Javier Morales, Maximiliano Moralez, Marcelino Moreno, Lucas Ontivero, Cristian Pavón, Matías Pellegrini, Matías Pérez García, Ignacio Piatti, Pablo Piatti, Tomás Pochettino, Juan Edgardo Ramírez, Emanuel Reynoso, Lucas Rodríguez, Mauro Rosales, Diego Valeri, Gonzalo Verón, Milton Valenzuela, Alan Velasco
25 United States 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, Darlington Nagbe, Claudio Reyna, Brek Shea, Chris Wondolowski, Gyasi Zardes, Walker Zimmerman, Graham Zusi
17 Mexico Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Omar Bravo, Nery Castillo, Marco Fabián, Javier Hernández, Héctor Herrera, Luis Ángel Landín, Javier Eduardo López, Rafael Márquez, Rodolfo Pizarro, Alan Pulido, Carlos Salcedo, Giovani dos Santos, Jonathan dos Santos, Erick Torres, Jairo Torres, Carlos Vela
16 Brazil Luiz Araújo, Brenner, Douglas Costa, Denílson, Luciano Emílio, Geovanni, Gilberto, Jéferson, Kaká, Klauss, Kléberson, Luquinhas, Talles Magno, Thiago Martins, João Paulo, Rafael
12 Uruguay Joaquín Ardaiz, Thomás Chacón, Álvaro Fernández, Nicolás Lodeiro, Mauricio Pereyra, Federico Puppo, Egidio Arévalo Rios, Octavio Rivero, Brian Rodríguez, Diego Rossi, David Texeira, Facundo Torres
11 Colombia Juan Pablo Ángel, Fabián Castillo, Diego Chará, Yimmi Chará, Andrés Ramiro Escobar, David Ferreira, Mauro Manotas, Fredy Montero, Santiago Mosquera, Darwin Quintero, Ángelo Rodríguez
11 Paraguay Miguel Almirón, Luis Amarilla, Cristian Colmán, Josué Colmán, Cecilio Domínguez, Sebastián Ferreira, Alejandro Romero Gamarra, Gastón Giménez, Jesús Medina, Nelson Valdez, Héctor Villalba
9 England David Beckham, Jermain Defoe, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Liam Ridgewell, Wayne Rooney, Josh Sims, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Dru Yearwood
8 France Romain Alessandrini, Kévin Cabral, Yohan Croizet, Claude Dielna, Eric Hassli, Thierry Henry, Adrien Hunou, Blaise Matuidi
7 Ecuador Jordy Alcívar, Juan Luis Anangonó, Xavier Arreaga, Aníbal Chalá, Carlos Gruezo, Oswaldo Minda, Joao Plata
7 Honduras Bryan Acosta, Jerry Bengtson, Alberth Elis, Roger Espinoza, Boniek García, Alexander López, Bryan Róchez
6 Scotland Kris Boyd, Ryan Gauld, Shaun Maloney, Kenny Miller, Barry Robson, Johnny Russell
6 Venezuela Fernando Aristeguieta, Jhonder Cádiz, Josef Martínez, Jeizon Ramírez, Jefferson Savarino, Yeferson Soteldo
5 Costa Rica Allan Cruz, Luis Díaz, Randall Leal, Álvaro Saborío, Kendall Waston
5 Germany Torsten Frings, Hany Mukhtar, Frank Rost, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Christian Tiffert
5 Poland Adam Buksa, Kamil Jóźwiak, Patryk Klimala, Jarosław Niezgoda, Karol Świderski
5 Spain Carles Gil, Mista, Alejandro Pozuelo, Víctor Rodríguez, David Villa
4 Chile Pablo Aránguiz, Felipe Gutiérrez, Pedro Morales, Diego Rubio
4 Italy Marco Di Vaio, Sebastian Giovinco, Lorenzo Insigne, Andrea Pirlo
4 Nigeria Fanendo Adi, Kennedy Igboananike, Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nwobodo
4 Peru Edison Flores, Andrés Mendoza, Raúl Ruidíaz, Yoshimar Yotún
4 Portugal José Gonçalves, André Horta, Nani, Pedro Santos
4 Switzerland Blerim Džemaili, Innocent Emeghara, Blaise Nkufo, Xherdan Shaqiri
3 Canada Lucas Cavallini, Julian de Guzman, Dwayne De Rosario
3 Ivory Coast Didier Drogba, Xavier Kouassi, Aké Loba
3 Netherlands Danny Koevermans, Jürgen Locadia, Sherjill MacDonald
3 Sweden Magnus Eriksson, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Freddie Ljungberg
2 Albania Hamdi Salihi, Shkëlzen Gashi
2 Armenia Yura Movsisyan, Lucas Zelarayán
2 Denmark Younes Namli, Mikael Uhre
2 Ghana David Accam, Jonathan Mensah
2 Ireland Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane
2 Israel Omer Damari, Gadi Kinda
2 Jamaica Giles Barnes, Simon Dawkins
2 Slovakia Ján Greguš, Albert Rusnák
2 Slovenia Robert Berić, Aljaž Struna
1 Algeria Saphir Taïder
1 Australia Tim Cahill
1 Austria Ercan Kara
1 Belgium Jelle Van Damme
1 Cape Verde Jamiro Monteiro
1 Croatia Damir Kreilach
1 Cuba Osvaldo Alonso
1 Czech Republic Bořek Dočkal
1 Finland Alexander Ring
1 Gambia Mustapha Jarju
1 Georgia Valeri Qazaishvili
1 Greece Taxiarchis Fountas
1 Grenada Shalrie Joseph
1 Guinea-Bissau Gerso Fernandes
1 Hungary Nemanja Nikolić
1 Iraq Ali Adnan
1 Japan Yuya Kubo
1 Kenya Victor Wanyama
1 Liberia Sam Johnson
1 Montenegro Branko Bošković
1 Panama Gabriel Torres
1 Romania Alexandru Mitriță
1 Serbia Aleksandar Katai
1 Sierra Leone Kei Kamara
1 South Korea Hwang In-beom
1 Zimbabwe Teenage Hadebe

See also

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". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 25, 2011. In the first four seasons of MLS's Beckham Rule, which allowed clubs to sign up to three designated players outside the salary cap, ....
  2. Lansley, Pete (April 13, 2007). "Becks could be the next American idol". The Telegraph. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
  3. "PlayersUnion". Mlsplayers.org. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  4. "Beckham hopes to make US history". BBC. January 12, 2007. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
  5. Goff, Steven (April 26, 2006). "Palencia Has Richest MLS Salary". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
  6. Mickle, Tripp (November 26, 2007). "Debate highlights MLS salary cap split". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
  7. Bell, Jack (March 18, 2009). "In M.L.S., Designated Players Do Not Guarantee Great Expectations". The New York Times. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  8. "Galaxy, Milan, Inter wait on Becks". CNN. February 24, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  9. "Fulham complete Johnson signing". BBC Sport. January 23, 2008. Archived from the original on January 27, 2008.
  10. Mayers, Joshua (April 1, 2010). "Major League Soccer adds second DP slot, can purchase a third (league release)". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  11. "2012 MLS Roster Rules". mlssocer.com. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012.
  12. "Roster Rules and Regulations". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  13. "A Look into NYCFC's 2014 Payroll (or "David Villa is making k")". Empire of Soccer. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  14. "2021 MLS Player Salaries". Major League Soccer Players Union.
  15. "MLS Roster Rules and Regulations - MLSsoccer.com". Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  16. "Former MLS Designated Players". Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  17. "Jelle van Damme completes exit from LA Galaxy and joins Royal Antwerp". espnfc.us. ESPN. August 18, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  18. "Roster | Nashville SC".
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