Following the previous fall report on potential signings for MLS, Everybody Soccer returns with another scouting report on possible foreign goalkeepers for MLS teams. The US’s top league has finally started to explore more avenues when it comes to buying and selling players, both domestic and foreign.
Eligible goalkeepers were limited to (1) being at least 21 years old, (2) listed as having less than a $1,500,000 market value by Transfermarkt, and (3) ones that would have the highest possibility of being re-sold by an MLS team. Additionally, certain eligible goalkeepers were removed from inclusion, as moving to MLS didn’t make feasible sense for the stage they’re currently at in their career.
Toni Fuidias - Girona, 21
Bill says: Fuidias left Real Madrid this summer for another La Liga club, Girona, on a free transfer. Although Fuidias future is a little clouded when it comes to Girona’s plans for the young Spaniard, what’s not as blurry is Fuidias’ ability in between the posts. Although competitive minutes were sparse in the highly competitive environment, Fuidias is your prototypical young, Spanish goalkeeper: highly mobile with a keen focus on the smallest nuances but without any of the paralysis that typically comes with that attention to detail. TM has Fuidias’ contract with Girona running through summer 2025 but if they continue to keep him on the bench, they may be willing to let him go for a low fee.
Transfermarkt listing: $355,000
Mees Bakker - AZ, 21
Bill says: Bakker is currently on loan from AZ to second-division Dutch club De Graafschap but has yet to break in with either club. Transfermarkt lists Bakker’s contract to end next summer, making him a perfect candidate for MLS clubs to pounce on a potentially profitable goalkeeper. Bakker’s lack of minutes have kept the Dutch YNT goalkeeper off the radar for most clubs but that hasn’t stopped AZ from developing yet another front-footed goalkeeper. There aren’t many more aggressive goalkeepers in the world than Bakker, which provides a high boom-or-bust possibility.
Transfermarkt listing: $118,000
Anthony Racioppi - Young Boys, 23
Bill says: Racioppi rings in at just over the one million mark but the Swiss YNT alum has struggled for consistent playing time. Since leaving Dijon this winter, Racioppi returned to Swizterland’s premier league with Young Boys but has still been relegated to the bench. Utilizing a fluid style that’s often seen in Italian goalkeepers, Racioppi does well to react to a multitude of situations. From short-to-long range shooting situations to leaving his line, decision-making comes naturally for him, even if it’s not always a “textbook answer”. Racioppi needs minutes ASAP to stay relevant in Switzerland’s goalkeeping depth chart and MLS has long struggled to find foreign goalkeepers to handle atypical and scrappy challenges in goal.
Transfermarkt listing: $1,100,000
Luca Philipp - Hoffenheim, 22
Bill says: The German youth international is closing on a decade with how long he’s been with Hoffenheim. Philipp has patiently climbed every step inside the club, from the youth academy to the U17s to the U19s to the reserves, and has now found himself on the bench for the first team. It’s hard to see Hoffenheim offload him at this point, unless the steady play of 32-year-old starting goalkeeper Oliver Baumann delays the switch to the point where Philipp is frustrated from waiting. Philipp isn’t very flashy in goal but he is classically German in his methodical approach. Although you’re likely to see fewer big highlight reel saves, you’re also less likely to see poor goals with his steady approach. TM has his contract ending in the summer of 2023 and the right fit might pull the young goalkeeper to a new environment.
Transfermarkt listing: $330,000
Lazar Carevic - Vojvodina, 23
Bill says: Spain are quietly developing a slew of game generals and Carevic is no exception. After four years with Barcelona, Carevic moved east on a free transfer to the Vojvodina, a Serbian first-division club. Allowing only 13 goals in his first 15 league matches with the club, Carevic has also notched his first start with his national team of Montenegro back in March. Carevic brings a unique nimbleness to the southeastern European league, although it’s difficult to maintain in environments that lean on power and speed (see Kepa’s difficult start with Chelsea). Although the Serbian SuperLiga could trampoline the goalkeeper to a higher league, MLS will offer more exposure for Carevic.
Transfermarkt listing: $220,000
Best of the Rest
Cristian Rivero - Valencia, 24. Long time Valencia product with no clear route forward in the club. $220,000 listing.
Markus Schubert - Vitesse, 24. German returning from knee surgery at a crowded dutch club. $660,000 listing.
Luis López - Real Madrid, 21. One of the stalwart clubs in goalkeeper development with a goalkeeper struggling for playing time. $355,000 listing.
Ortwin De Wolf - Royal Antwerp, 26. Former Belgian YNT whose value recently “dropped” from depth chart issues and is wanting to reignite his career. $592,000 listing.
Manuel Roffo - Tigre, 22. Argentinian YNT looking to take his career forward from Argentina’s premier division. $740,000 listing
Théo De Percin - AJ Auxerre, 21. “Shoot from the hip” style with high range, if he can find the right blueprint for himself. $178,000 listing.
Andrea Zaccagno - Rimini, 25. Illustrious Italian YNT whose career has stalled in third division Italy. $118,000 listing.
Ellery Balcombe - Brentford, 23. Contract reportedly expires in May 2023 for the English U20 goalkeeper. $355,000 listing.