Ecuador’s Diego Palacios leaves LAFC for Corinthians as MLS and Brazil continue transfer business

Moving from Major League Soccer to the Brasileirão, and vice versa, has become a growing trend in recent years.

Luis Guillermo Vázquezluis_lgazulRoddy ConsRoddyConsUpdate: Dec 30th, 2023 13:06 EST

Gary A. VasquezUSA TODAY Sports

The “exodus” of young MLS talent to Brazil continues. The latest player to have swapped North America for South America is LAFC left-back Diego Palacios, who will link up with Corinthians next season.

Leaving the United States for Brazil has become something of a growing trend among young players, more and more of whom are being recruited by MLS teams, who are on the whole signing fewer veterans in the latter stages of their careers.

Say goodbye to Diego Palacios.Per @CLMerlo, the 24 y/o 🇪🇨 free agent left back is signing with Brazilian club Corinthians. #LAFC pic.twitter.com/tIOs3PJ9kW

— Mike Gray (@MikeGrayAFC) December 29, 2023

Which players have been between MLS and Brazil recently?

In recent times, Nicolás Acevedo, Marcelino Moreno, Eduard Atuesta, Alan Franco, Jefferson Savarino, Jhegson Méndez and Tomás Pochettino are among those who have moved from MLS sides to Brazil’s Série A, either on a permanent or temporary basis.

The path has also been well trodden in the opposition direction, however, with Micael, Junior Urso, Geovane Jesús, Lucas Calegari, Rafael Santos and Gabriel Pirani having all left the Brasileirão for Major League Soccer in recent times.

Recent transfers between MLS and Brazil's Série A

MLS to Brazil Série A

Nicolás Acevedo (24, Uruguay) – New York City FC to Bahia (loan)Marcelino Moreno (28, Argentina) – Atlanta United to CoritibaEduard Atuesta – (26, Colombia) – LAFC to PalmeirasAlan Franco – (27, Argentina) – Atlanta United to São PauloJefferson Savarino (27, Venezuela) – Real Salt Lake to Atlético Mineiro (and back)Jhegson Méndez (26, Ecuador) – LAFC to São PauloTomás Pochettino (27, Argentina) – Austin FC to Fortaleza

Brazil Série A to MLS

Micael (23, Brazil) – Atlético Mineiro to Houston DynamoJunior Urso (34, Brazil) – Coritiba to Orlando CityGeovane Jesús (22, Brazil) – Cruzeiro to FC DallasLucas Calegari (21, Brazil) – Fluminense to LA Galaxy (loan)Rafael Santos (25, Brazil) – Cruzeiro to Orlando CityGabriel Pirani (21, Brazil) – Santos to D.C. United (loan)

How many Brazilians play in MLS?