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What is a Designated Player? How MLS star transfers work

David Beckham changed the landscape of American soccer when he signed for the Galaxy in 2007 as the first Designated Player

With player transfer fees in Europe seeming to increase exponentially every single transfer season, things aren't quite the same in Major League Soccer – where clubs are given only three Designated Players whose wages are allowed to be greater than the league average.

So what is the Designated Player, what is the average salary cap for the MLS and why was the rule implemented? Goal takes a look.

What is the Designated Player rule in MLS?