Sergio Ramos is set to leave La Liga in shock MLS move

Sergio Ramos returned to La Liga for the 2023/24 season after a fruitful stint at Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG). The legendary Spanish center-back returned to Sevilla FC, which many consider his 'home club'. Now, the 38-year-old defender might be on his way to the MLS for one final dance.

According to 'The Athletic', the Sevillan center-back could make a historic signing for Major League Soccer (MLS) by joining San Diego FC. The American franchise is set to make its league debut in 2025.

Furthermore, 'The Athletic' further highlights the 'advanced negotiations' between the Spaniard and the Californian franchise.

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If the signing came to fruition, Sergio Ramos would sign as what they call the team's 'Designated Player', in other words, a franchise player. Ramos would follow the steps of Riqui Puig, who left Barça to join Los Angeles Galaxy in 2022.

This bizarre 'designated player' rule was introduced into the league in 2007. The rule allows teams to register three players to their squad, regardless of their established salary cap. A strategy used by the MLS to attract European talents.

The news spread quick in the United States, with the New York Times and NBC generating segments to cover the story. It would be a very exciting bid by the league to bring such an iconic talent.

The Spaniard's new franchise is based in the city of San Diego (California), and it will officially compete in the league starting in 2025.

(Photo: Instagram @sandiegofc)

At the top of the franchise is a group of owners led by former British-Egyptian politician and businessman Mohamed Mansour (who is believed to have a fortune of $3.2 billion - £2.5bn/€3.46bn), as well as the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, a federally recognized Indian tribe.

(Photo: Instagram @sandiegofc)

San Diego FC will be the 30th Major League Soccer franchise and will host its matches at Snapdragon Stadium, with a capacity for 35,000 spectators (expandable to 55,000). The stadium is also home to the San Diego State Aztecs, the San Diego State University football team that plays in the NCAA.

The franchise has already announced its first three signings ahead of its league debut: goalkeeper Duran Ferree, who currently plays on loan at Orange County SC; the Danes Jeppe Tverskov, a 31-year-old center, and Marcus Ingvartsen, a 28-year-old forward, who currently play for Nordsjælland in their country.

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But San Diego FC's goal is to create a franchise following in the recent footsteps of Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. To create a competitive team capable of winning from the first moment it enters the MLS.

The journalist Juanfe Sanz revealed in the program 'El Chiringuito' in Spain, that the Americans would have set their eyes on several players previously and now related to Real Madrid, such as the central defender Nacho Fernández, who could be another major signing for the MLS.

Another dream signing for the San Diego franchise would be that of Luka Modric. The Real Madrid legend would be interested in joining the team at the age of 39.

The third name that the Spanish journalist gave was that of a former player of the 'merengue' entity, the Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who ends his contract with PSG, this year and is reportedly looking for a new club.

The British publication HITC Football also places Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne as a possible transfer target for the San Diego franchise. Nevertheless, at 32 years old, he still has a couple more 'prime' seasons in Europe.

Another player on San Diego's radar is Neymar Jr. According to the Mexicans at POSTA Deportes, the Brazilian star could change Saudi Arabia for the United States. Neymar Jr is currently at Al-Hilal and will arrive at the Californian club at the age of 32.

The last name that has been linked to the new MLS club is that of another goalkeeper, the Mexican Guillermo 'Memo' Ochoa, currently defending the colors of the Unione Sportiva Salernitana 1919 of the Italian Serie A. According to FOX Sports, the Mexican goalkeeper is looking for a new club ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Arriving alongside Ochoa could be 28-year-old Mexican winger, Hirving Lozano, who currently plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie.

A team packed with world-class players, much like Inter Miami, but on the West Coast! This would greatly benefit the MLS as it would attract a wider audience. Let us know what you think in the comments!

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