NYCFC.com picked one player from each Euro 2016 team that could make the switch to Major League Soccer in the near future.
Albania - Ergys Kaçe, CDM
The 22-year-old could make the switch to MLS and provide teams a spirited young midfielder. Currently playing for Greek club PAOK, Kaçe has been described by the media as “a classic agile defensive midfielder” and would slot into many lineups in Major League Soccer. His contract expires in 2017.
Austria - Martin Harnik, RM / RW
Harnik has played his entire career in Germany but could look west in search of a new challenge when his contract ends at the end of June 2016. The 29-year-old winger has been capped 60 times for Austria, scoring 14 goals.
Belgium - Jordan Lukaku, LB / LM
Younger brother of notable Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, Jordan will look to step out of the shadows and make a name for himself. Currently playing in Belgium where he contributed two goals and seven assists in 26 games, Lukaku would be a great addition to many teams. At 21 years old, he would strengthen the talent level in MLS.
Croatia - Vedran Ćorluka, CB
Known recently for his water polo helmet incident at Euros 2016, the strong center back could move to MLS and shore up the backline of most teams. Playing in Russia’s Premier Liga, Ćorluka won Lokomotiv’s Player of the Year in 2015. MLS teams could be looking to add a player with his leadership and quality in the near future.
Czech Republic - Ladislav Krejcí, LW
Sparta Praha’s left wing’s expires in 2017, alerting MLS clubs to monitor Krejcí’s situation. Presumably added as a Designated Player, the 23-year-old might be worth breaking the bank for as he contributed four goals and seven assists in 26 appearances while getting European experience in Europa League and caps for Czech Republic.
England - Wayne Rooney, ST
Rooney has been a mainstay for Manchester United for the last decade. This energetic and creative striker has been an efficient goal scorer. He possesses pin-point accuracy, great technical ability and terrific stamina. The 30-year-old’s contract is set to expire in 2019 but if he decides to come to MLS he would a strong offensive threat for any team.
France - Christophe Jallet, RB
Right back Chrisophe Jallet has spent his whole career in France, most notably with Paris St. Germain and Lyon. The 32-year-old would be a serviceable defender for MLS teams and provide consistent performances. Jallet could be convinced to come to the US for the right challenge.
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Germany - Mario Gómez, ST
The former German Player of the Year would be a superb signing in Major League Soccer as Gómez is proficient with both feet and provides an aerial threat. The 30-year-old is known for his positioning and hold-up play, both key attributes to succeed in any league. Spending most of his time in Germany and Turkey, the striker could move to MLS and be exactly what a team wants in a Designated Player.
Hungary - Àdàm Szalai, CF
With his contract expected to expire at the end of June, the 28-year-old could head west and bring decent quality to an MLS team. At 6’4” Szalai would be an aerial threat and be a welcome addition to most teams. The center forward won Hungarian Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012 and could be looking to make his mark in MLS.
Iceland - Johann Berg Gudmundsson, RW / ST
Gudmundsson would sparkle in MLS, bringing his eye for the spectacular and flair to a lucky team. Netting 11 goals in 37 matches for Charlton Athletic and aged only 25-year-old, Gudmundsson would be a smart signing. After a strong showing at Euro 2016, however, the winger could garner attention from other European clubs.
Ireland - Cyrus Christie, RB
A young right back for Derby County, Christie could impress in MLS as he has in England’s second division. 6’2” and 23 years old, he shows the physical presence needed for a defender and would slot in for a team that needs it. Christie’s contract is up in 2017 but could move sooner than that.
Italy - Daniele De Rossi, CDM
The crafty midfield general known for his defensive prowess has spent an entire career at AS Roma but seems interested in playing in the New York area. De Rossi told Roma’s website that “In the future it might be somewhere (New York City) I’d like to spend more time.” The 32-year-old’s contract expires summer of 2017. New York and MLS clubs in general would be anxious for him to put pen to paper and strengthen their midfield.
Northern Ireland - Will Grigg, ST
Grigg has inspired joy from Northern Ireland supporters in the 2016 European Championships, despite spending most of the tournament on the bench. A fan-made chant about the striker went viral after he inspired Wigan Athletic’s promotion to the second tier with 25 goals last season. At 24 years old, Grigg will have curious eyes watching him for the remainder of the tournament and could be looking for a different challenge in the US.
Poland - Mariusz Stępiński, CF
Currently playing in Poland, Stępiński could make the move to MLS in an effort to step into the spotlight and further his career. A promising 6’0” goalscorer would be welcome on most teams, especially one that has scored 15 goals in 34 appearances. Only 21 years old and representing his country in the Euros, Stępiński will be on many scouts’ radars.
Portugal - Cristiano Ronaldo, LW
Ronaldo capped off a great season as he led Real Madrid to a Champions League title. Ronaldo uses his remarkable speed and acceleration to fly past his opponents but also his strength to outmuscle some of the toughest defenders in the world. This 31-year-old winger has been linked to several MLS Clubs as his contract is set to expire in the summer of 2018. MLS would love to have one of the greatest players of all time in the league.
Romania - Steliano Filip, LB / LM
An up-and-coming player who can play both left back and left mid, Filip could trade Romania’s top flight for MLS in the near future. At 22 years old, he is already representing his country and with his contract expiring at the end of 2016, MLS teams could be alerted to his status.
Russia - Aleksandr Golovin, CAM
Golovin is known for his technique and understanding of the game, along with his ball control and finishing skills. MLS teams would be overjoyed to have the 20-year-old slot into their midfield. He has mentioned that he wants to stay in Russia but could probably be convinced to move given the right circumstances. His contract expires in 2017.
Slovakia - Tomáš Hubočan, CB
Hubočan is a grizzled veteran who's been an anchor on the back line for Dinamo Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg. The 30-year-old is a ball-playing center back and knows how to keep possession but also is a skilled tackler who only drew four cards last season. Hubočan’s contract is set to expire in two years but teams will be lining up to acquire the skilled defender.
Spain - Iker Casillas, GK
The move from Real Madrid to FC Porto has been difficult for the legendary goalkeeper. Casillas still retains a fantastic resume that includes one World Cup, two Euro titles and three Champions League titles. The 35-year-old might be looking for a change of scenery at the end of his contract and could look to MLS.
Sweden - Zlatan Ibrahimovic, ST
Ibrahimovic is one of the most physical forwards in the world and provides a strong aerial threat at 6’4”. The world-class striker is leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer and has reportedly signed for Manchester United. Even though Zlatan has announced his retirement from international play, it has been widely reported that he will make his way to MLS soon. Teams will be salivating to snap up his contract if he comes to the US.
Switzerland - Valon Behrami, CDM
The defensive midfielder, known for leaving it all on the field and not being afraid of throwing his body in front of shot, has said, “If my style of play didn’t hurt, I would be doing something wrong”. The 31-year-old is still under contract for two more years, but if he makes his way to MLS, his style of play would match up well with the league.
Turkey - Ahmet Calik, CB
The 22-year-old may not have made headlines at the European Championships this summer, but he has put in solid performances for his club Gençlerbirliği in Turkey’s Super Liga. Calik is a promising center back and could be snapped up by MLS in the near future.
Ukraine - Pylyp Budkivsky, CF
On loan at Zorya Lugansk in Ukraine’s top division, Budkivsky has scored 13 goals and assisted two more in 23 appearances. The center forward’s contract is up at the end of June and will be on most team’s radars. The 24-year-old has impressed wherever he has gone and could potentially be a great signing for MLS.
Wales - Jonathan Williams, CAM
Williams is a versatile midfielder who can play on the left, right or center. He can score despite his small stature, Williams has been know to be a harassing defender with a high IQ and can score with either foot. The 22-year-old is tied to Crystal Palace for the next two years but could be a prime target for most MLS clubs.
