FC Cincinnati has brought in a statement signing.
The winners of the 2023 Supporters' Shield announced Nov. 21 it signed Kévin Denkey for a reported club-record fee.
FC Cincinnati acquire Kevin Denkey for reported club-record transfer fee. 😤
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 21, 2024
Denkey joins Cincy after winning the Belgian Pro League Golden Boot in 2023-24 with 27 goals: https://t.co/78JzWrwGJs pic.twitter.com/w5hEPgvNX5
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Denkey, who turns 24 on Nov. 30, is a Togolese striker who is coming off a Golden Boot-winning campaign in Belgium's Pro League with club Cercle Brugge.
Though Cincinnati didn't disclose the transfer fee in its announcement, MLS said on its website the deal was worth a reported $16.2 million.
Denkey was a coveted striker across Europe, so for Cincinnati to land his signature is an intriguing sign. But where does Denkey rank among most expensive MLS incomings? Here's what to know:
Who are the most expensive MLS signings?
Denkey's signing with Cincinnati makes him the most expensive MLS signing to date. Here's a look at the top 10, with all fees in euros via Transfermarkt:
10. LW Brian Rodriguez, LAFC: 10.45 million (2019/20)
9. AM Rudolfo Pizarro, Inter Miami: 10.91 million (2019/20)
8. ST Hugo Cuypers, Chicago Fire: 11 million (2023/24)
7. RW Luiz Araujo, Atlanta United: 11.50 million (2021/22)
6. ST Brenner, FC Cincinnati: 11.82 million (2020/21)
5. AM Aleksey Miranchuk, Atlanta United: 12 million (2024/25)
4. AM Esequiel Barco, Atlanta United: 12.28 million (2017/18)
T-2. AM Gonzalo Martinez, Atlanta United: 14.50 million (2018/19)
T-2. AM Thiago Almada, Atlanta United: 14.50 million (2021/22)
1. Kévin Denkey, FC Cincinnati: 15.3 million (2024/25)
Why is Lionel Messi not on the list?
Messi, who joined Miami in 2023, is not on the list as he technically arrived as a free transfer.
