Following the previous 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 $1,250,000 market value by Transfermarkt, and (3) ones that would have the highest possibility of being re-sold by an MLS team. Additionally, information on their current club situation is provided beneath each picture, along with a brief bio about their play style and potential move to MLS.
Vitezslav Jaros (22) - Liverpool
Club: Liverpool (England.1)
(on loan with Sturm Graz, Austria.1)
Reported end of contract: June 30, 2024
Transfermarkt value: $317,000
Nationality: Czech Republic
The Czech youth international left Liverpool earlier this month on a recently loan out to Sturm Graz in Austria. With Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher’s rise to success, Jaros has been left out in the cold and will likely be exploring new options when his contract reportedly runs out this summer. The lanky yet explosive young goalkeeper was previously getting a push within Liverpool and the current plateau is something he won’t want to let define him. Last summer, Jaros led Czech Republic’s U21s over Germany in a 2-1 win during the U-21 Euro, including a fantastic late-time save on a free kick.
Luca Philipp (23) - Hoffenheim
Club: Hoffenheim (Germany.1)
Reported end of contract: June 30, 2024
Transfermarkt value: $380,000
Nationality: Germany
After a decade with Hoffenheim, the former German U21 starter has still yet to be given a pathway forward. Philipp has been given a handful of starts over the last couple years but has seemingly dropped below 20-year-old teammate Nahuel Noll in terms of investment from the club. Philipp is long overdue a fresh start and given a consistent stream of games and MLS would match nicely with the German-style of goalkeeping: hyper-efficient and powerful shot-stopping with a modern tactical approach.
Markus Schubert (25) - Vitesse
Club: Vitesse (Netherlands.1)
Reported end of contract: June 30, 2024
Transfermarkt value: $380,000
Nationality: Germany
After a hapless couple years with FC Schalke, Schubert moved north for Vitesse on a free transfer. Schubert has helped the Dutch club progress in the KNVB Cup with back-to-back-to-back 1-0 wins, with the most recent victory coming earlier this week against AFC. Schubert has advanced Vitesse to the quarterfinals and could draw some attention but it’s unlikely it’ll be enough to raise his stock much higher than it already is. If Vitesse doesn’t have a pathway forward to him, MLS teams could utilize the former German YNT goalkeeper for a year or two.
Lennart Grill (25) - Union Berlin
Club: Union Berlin (Germany.1)
(on loan with VfL Osnabrück, Germany.2)
Reported end of contract: June 30, 2024
Transfermarkt value: $1,014,000
Nationality: Germany
Currently on loan with VfL Osnabrück, Grill has been cutting his teeth on one of the worst clubs in the German second division. Although Union Berlin may be able to see through the team’s failures for Grill’s individual efforts and higher ceiling, it’s likely he’ll get labeled as a relegated goalkeeper after this season, barring a mircle from VfL Osnabrück. And with both Frederik Rönnow and Alexander Schwolow back home at Union Berlin, there’s a decent chance Grill will be looking for a new home for the 2024-25 season.
Viljami Sinisalo (22) - Aston Villa
Club: Aston Villa (England.1)
(currently on loan to Exter City, England.3)
Reported end of contract: May 31, 2024
Transfermarkt value: $760,000
Nationality: Finland
Already with two caps to his name, the Finnish international finds himself in England’s third division after being sent out of loan from to Aston Villa. Unfortuantely for Sinisalo, Exter City are just earshot out of the relegation zone. Each match feels like a dogfight for Sinisalo, if not a one-sided stomp. Aston Villa will most certainly continue to run with Emi Martinez for another few years while Sinisalo will be chomping at the bit for serious minutes in a serious league. MLS has been a good home for many Finnish players - most notably Teemu Pukki - and could do wonders for Sinisalo’s next step.
Phillip Menzel (25) - A. Klagenfurt
Club: A. Klagenfurt (Austria.1)
Reported end of contract: June 30, 2024
Transfermarkt value: $887,000
Nationality: Germany
After a limited run with Wolfsburg, Menzel joined Austria Klagenfurt ahead of the 2020-21 season. Since then, Menzel has shown well in a league that is more about “keeping the ball out of the net” than playing on a field that allows for a smooth rolling of the ball. The grittiness of Austria’s Bundesliga has worked well for Menzel, earning over 100 appearances for the club and helping Klagenfurt earn promotion into the first division after his first season with the club. Klagenfurt now sits 5th overall, thanks largely to Menzel’s efforts. Not to take anything away from Menzel’s distribution skills but for MLS teams that are more focused on shot stopping, Menzel would be a great addition to their goalkeeping core, before potentially selling him back to the German Bundesliga.
Joan García (22) - Espanyol
Club: Espanyol (Spain.2)
Reported end of contract: June 30, 2028
Transfermarkt value: $507,000
Nationality: Spain
Admittedly, García’s contract situation will likely complicate a potential move. However, for a club that has gotten little to no use out of the former Spanish youth international (only seven appearances in the past twelve months), they may entertain a fair offer for the rarely seen goalkeeper. A few MLS teams are trying to possess more and although García is a fine shot-stopper in his own right, he could be the missing piece for those that want their goalkeeper to do more than just smash goal kicks downfield.
João Virgínia (24) - Everton
Club: Everton (England.1)
Reported end of contract: June 30, 2025
Transfermarkt value: $1,014,000
Nationality: Portugal
Virgínia first joined Everton in 2019 but it’s been a bumpy and winding road thus far. At just 24 years old, Virgínia has already completed his third loan (going to Reading, Sporting CP, and now SC Cambuur) while still barely featuring for Everton. At this point, Virgínia has made more appearances for Portuguese youth national teams than with Everton or their U23s and there doesn’t seem to be any plan for him to take over for Pickford (29 years old) any time soon. Everton may want to see what they can squeeze out of Virgínia at the end of the day - he admittedly played well in the FA Cup replay against Palace - but there’s a high likelihood that he walks for free in the end.