MLS has long been a league that has tried to accommodate foreign players to elevate its level of play. However while field players have seen success with integrating foreigners, goalkeepers have remained the exception to the rule. Despite the league entering its 25th year in 2020, there have been so few productive foreign goalkeepers in MLS. While ideally MLS is focused on developing our domestic talent, which I’ve posted a thread on Twitter covering seven American goalkeepers who would be good enough for MLS, realistically it is the foreign talent that is more likely to earn a transfer fee for MLS teams. If MLS teams can circumvent the many hurdles of getting the right talent in the league, it’s in everyone’s interest.
Following last year’s list of goalkeepers who would be a good fit for MLS, the same three parameters have been applied for possible candidates: goalkeepers must be between 21-26 years old, listed under five million pounds on Transfermarkt, and have a sensible reason to transfer for both the player and club. For example, if a 22-year-old German goalkeeper is a backup in the Bundesliga, it’s not realistic to expect them to come to MLS as their willingness to make such a move is low and the opportunities for success are already present in their home country.
The seven goalkeepers listed below are ready for the level of play in MLS and are likely able to jump to an even higher league within two or three years, earning MLS teams a nice incoming transfer fee. Each goalkeeper is listed with their current club, age, demonym, their current listed price on Transfermarkt, and their potential selling fee an MLS team could make if the goalkeeper develops well.
1. Denis Scherbitski
BATE Borisov (Belarus)
23, Belarusian
Current TM Listing: $1,330,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $12,000,000
Scherbitski sent some waves out earlier this year when the Belarusian goalkeeper stunned eventual Europa League runner-up Arsenal to a 1-0 win for BATE Borisov. While BATE would not advance past the round of 32, the shutout would momentarily put Scherbitski on clubs’ radars. Unfortunately a shoulder injury four months later sidelined him and has kept him away from the field since June. If he has returned to full strength, the fringe Belarusan national team starter would be a great pickup as a shot-stopper who is quick with his feet yet has the size most MLS teams are looking for in their number one.
2. Toma Niga
FCSB (Romania)
22, Romania
TM Listing: $167,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $9,000,000
Romanian netminder Toma Niga is likely to be overshadowed by his peer Andrei Radu, another Romanian goalkeeper already making waves in Italy. However Niga possesses a spring in his dive that is reminiscent of the Robin Williams’ movie Flubber and controlled agility you don’t typically find in young goalkeepers. The 22-year-old is still searching for consistent playing time, although he may have trouble finding that in Europe as Romania isn’t high up on scouts’ list. MLS teams could sign him for cheap and immediately claim to have one of the best young goalkeepers in the league.
3. Tiepo
Chapecoense (Brazil)
21, Brazilian
TM Listing: $994,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $12,000,000
After a long drought of elite goalkeepers, Brazil has seemingly found the secret to alleviating their problems in net. While Alisson and Ederson lead the way overseas, Tiepo is doing well for himself early into his professional career. Already with 25 starts in Brazi’s Série A, the 21-year-old is rarely caught guessing or wrong-footed. With a strong pair of impeccable balance and precise reactions, Tiepo is most likely going to reach a higher level sooner or later, whether due to MLS or not.
4. Dominik Greif
Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia
22, Slovak
TM Listing: $442,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $15,000,000
Spoiler: Greif has been linked with Porto FC already so while he may be out of MLS’s reach, we’ll leave him in the list for now as he technically meets the requirements. But the interest from the Portuguese powerhouse adds up when you consider his recent performance against Wolverhampton, making several top-class saves in the 1-0 loss. Greif relies on his David de Gea frame and blazing reactions when facing shots for Slovan Bratislava. Whether Greif ends up at Porto or not, the young Slovak has greener pastures ahead.
5. Emre Koyuncu
Altay SK (Turkey)
23, Turkish
TM Listing: $193,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $8,000,000
Koyuncu is currently in Turkey’s second division in order to receive playing time but he won’t be there long. The former Turkish YNT goalkeeper is a classic definition of a “gem in the rough” as his club is sitting mid-table in a largely uncovered league. Koyuncu’s play is similar to Tony Meola. He’s a little undersized - standing around 6’0” - but contains a lot of power in both his reactions and handling ability. MLS has a number of goalkeeping spots to fill with recent retirements and expansion teams entering 2020. Koyuncu’s asking price is at an all-time low but could easily be flipped for profit in two or three years time.
6. Vsevolod Ermakov
Shirak Gyumri (Armenia)
23, Russian
TM Listing: $166,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $8,000,000
Ermakov has had somewhat of an odd journey to Armenia. After being sent out on loan as an 18-year-old from Russia’s third division, Ermakov bounced back and forth between Russia and Armenia for years until his current situation found him with Shirak Gyumri. While still young, it’s not uncommon for players to be stuck with a “damaged goods” label and if Ermakov stays in Armenia much longer, he may well be labeled as such. A move to the US would be a good fit for both the league’s and Ermakov’s level of play, as well as springboarding the Russian goalkeeper to the next step in his career.
7. Ezequiel Unsain
Defensa y Justicia
24, Argentine
TM Listing: $3,320,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $8,000,000
Carried over from last year’s list, Unsain is somewhat ironically the antithesis to what MLS goalkeeper coaches are looking for yet the perfect example of types of goalkeepers who have found success in MLS. The young Argentine isn’t as technically proficient as some may wish, but his mobility and nose for the ball are reminiscent of Nick Rimando, Matt Reis, and Dan Kennedy. Unsain has 65 starts in Argentina’s premier league, the Superliga, and is ready for the next step in his career. With some fine-tuning, MLS could make a profit on another South American heading to Europe.