The MLS Market Boom: A Golden Opportunity for the EFL Championship

The evolving transfer market between Major League Soccer (MLS) and the EFL Championship has taken a major leap forward in 2025. Traditionally seen as separate spheres, the two leagues are now deeply interconnected. Championship clubs are increasingly seeing MLS as both a profitable outlet for player sales and a growing recruitment hub — a shift highlighted by high-profile transfers, lucrative fees, and standout performances.

A Record-Breaking Transfer Window

One of the clearest indicators of this changing dynamic came in February 2025, when Middlesbrough sold striker Emmanuel Latte Lath to Atlanta United for a reported £17 million, a record outgoing for the club. The move surprised many, not only for the fee but because of the buyer. Atlanta, a club with growing ambitions and strong infrastructure, viewed Lath as a centrepiece in their push for Eastern Conference success.

Latte Lath didn’t disappoint. On February 22, 2025, in his MLS debut, he scored a brace in a 3–2 win over CF Montréal, becoming the first player in club history to score multiple goals in a regular-season debut. By mid-July, he had started all 18 MLS matches, recording 6 goals and 1 assist, with 41 total shots — leading Atlanta’s scoring charts. His debut earned him a place in the MLS Team of the Matchday alongside Lionel Messi. Lath ranks in the 93rd percentile of MLS forwards for goals per 90 (0.33), 85th percentile for combined goal contributions (0.39), and has an xG per 90 of 0.37 — underlining his attacking threat in one of North America’s most competitive leagues.

This move was financially transformative for Middlesbrough and symbolic of a new era in cross-Atlantic transfers.

🔴 Emmanuel Latte Lath for Middlesbrough:

- Games: 67
- Goals: 29
- Assists: 4

His $22 million move to Atlanta is the BIGGEST deal in MLS history 🤯 pic.twitter.com/kZR0Z3waUW

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) February 4, 2025

Two-Way Traffic: Championship Clubs Buy Into MLS Talent

While player sales to MLS are becoming more common, the Championship is also actively acquiring talent from the American top flight. In July 2025 alone, two notable moves saw young MLS players make the switch to England.

Derby County signed Charlotte FC forward Patrick Agyemang for a club-record fee of around £7.5M with add ons - a powerful, direct striker with strong hold-up play and an eye for goal. Agyemang had shown promise across 2023 and 2024 with Charlotte, scoring 8 goals and providing 4 assists in the league as well as 4 goals in 10 for the USA national team.

Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion moved swiftly to secure the signature of George Campbell for £1.5M from CF Montréal. The 22-year-old central defender, who came through Atlanta United’s academy, had been one of Montréal’s standout performers in the first half of the MLS season. His combination of physical presence, pace and his ability to play out from the back makes him well-suited to the demands of the Championship.

These moves mark a change in perception — MLS is no longer seen purely as a destination for aging stars, but as a proving ground for emerging talent.

Big Pat is on the move. 🫡

Patrick Agyemang is headed to Derby County from @CharlotteFC for a club-record fee: https://t.co/xGYCK1Vnim pic.twitter.com/HfXPtr6rdd

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 15, 2025

Financial Opportunity and Market Efficiency

The appeal of tapping into MLS for recruitment is twofold. First, players from the league often command lower wages than their European counterparts. Second, the relatively untapped nature of the market means value can be found — whether in versatile attackers like Agyemang or composed defenders like Campbell.

From a sales perspective, the Championship offers MLS clubs a pipeline of players who are tested in a physically demanding league and yet still young enough to develop further. Lath’s move is a blueprint that others will likely follow. Championship clubs, often needing to sell to balance books, now see MLS as a realistic and lucrative destination.

This trend also aligns with MLS's own ambitions. The league wants to elevate its global standing and sees recruiting proven European players — particularly those at their peak — as a method of doing so. Unlike previous generations of aging incomings, today’s MLS targets are younger, more dynamic, and often signed for significant fees.

Strategic Takeaways for Championship Clubs

Championship clubs should recognise MLS as a strategic two-way market rather than simply a league to offload surplus players. The current landscape allows them to generate significant revenue through player sales while also recruiting emerging or mid-career talents at a lower cost than similar profiles in Europe.

Players like George Campbell, who is set to join West Brom, are often undervalued despite offering strong physical traits, international experience, and room for development. Similarly, Derby County’s move for Patrick Agyemang exemplifies the appeal of MLS forwards who combine athleticism with technical quality.

At the same time, clubs can unlock meaningful transfer fees for their own standout performers, as shown by Middlesbrough’s £17 million sale of Emmanuel Latte Lath to Atlanta United. These funds can then be reinvested into squad depth, infrastructure, or even wage structure improvements.

By keeping a close watch on MLS rosters, utilising both primary and secondary transfer windows, and identifying players with the potential to adapt to the demands of the Championship, English second-tier sides can gain a significant edge — both competitively and financially.

USA ➡️ WBA. 🇺🇸

George Campbell is a Baggie! ✍️

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) July 18, 2025

The Outlook Ahead

As transfer markets across the world continue to globalise, the transatlantic relationship between the EFL Championship and MLS looks set to grow even stronger. Championship clubs stand to benefit greatly from unearthing undervalued talent to profiting from record-breaking sales.

What was once seen as an unlikely bridge is now a thriving pathway. With growing finances, scouting reach, and data-driven recruitment on both sides of the Atlantic, the MLS–Championship connection may soon become one of the most important bilateral links in world football.