Luciano Acosta has completed a sensational switch from FC Cincinnati to FC Dallas just over a week before the 2025 MLS season kicks off. 

Acosta, the MLS' MVP back in 2023, has signed in a cash-for-player trade in exchange for $5 million and up to $1 million if certain performance metrics are met. 

The Argentine joined Cincinnati in 2021, scoring 54 goals in 151 outings across all competitions, overtaking Brandon Vazquez (43) in April 2024 as the club's all-time top scorer.

He helped lead Pat Noonan's side to third in the Eastern Conference in 2024, but the Orange and Blue were beaten in their best-of-three series against New York City FC. 

In the MLS last season, including the playoffs, only Inter Miami's Lionel Messi (32) and LA Galaxy's Gabriel Pec (34) registered more goal involvements than Acosta (31). 

The 30-year-old also created more chances (120) than any other player in the MLS last campaign, 20 more than Philadelphia Union's Kai Wagner in second. 

Acosta becomes Cincinnati's seventh addition in the transfer window, after Osaze Urhoghide, Patrickson Delgado, Anderson Julio, Shaq Moore, Ramiro and Lalas Abubakar. 

"This is a landmark signing for FC Dallas and a statement of our commitment to building a championship-caliber team," said Dallas president Dan Hunt.

"Bringing in a player of Lucho's caliber – an MVP and proven leader – demonstrates our ambition and desire to compete at the highest level.

"We are thrilled to welcome him to the FC Dallas family and cannot wait to see him inspire our fans and teammates alike."

Dallas kickstart their 2025 campaign on February 23, making the short trip to the Shell Energy Stadium to take on the Houston Dynamo.