20 college soccer players who made dumb money as professionals
- - 20 college soccer players who made dumb money as professionals
Tatiana AlalachvilyDecember 21, 2025 at 9:30 PM
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A smiling man in a white Leeds United football jersey sits in an empty stadium with blue seats.
For years, college soccer was seen as a secondary path within professional football. Many believed that going through the university system meant giving up money, fame, and major contracts. However, several players proved exactly the opposite. After developing in the U.S. college system, they managed to jump to top leagues, sign lucrative contracts, and build extremely profitable careers. Some became stars in MLS, while others succeeded in Europe, but they all share one thing in common. They went from college soccer to earning amounts of money few could have imagined during their college years.
1. Clint Dempsey
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He played college soccer at Furman University before becoming one of the biggest figures in American soccer. He signed lucrative contracts in the Premier League and MLS, especially with Fulham and the Seattle Sounders. For years, he was one of the highest-paid and most recognizable players in the country.
2. Brad Friedel
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He developed at UCLA and built a long career in European football. He played for clubs such as Blackburn, Aston Villa, and Tottenham for more than a decade. His consistency and high level in the Premier League secured him massive earnings.
3. Tim Howard
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Before shining in Europe, he came through the U.S. college system. He was a goalkeeper for Manchester United and later became a historic figure at Everton. His salaries, bonuses, and endorsement deals turned him into one of the richest goalkeepers in the United States.
4. Michael Bradley
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He started playing at Princeton before making the jump to European football. He signed major contracts in Serie A and the Bundesliga before returning to MLS. At Toronto FC, he earned one of the highest salaries in the league.
5. Jozy Altidore
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He played college soccer before launching a highly lucrative international career. He competed in the Premier League, the Eredivisie, and MLS under notable contracts. For years, he was one of the highest-paid American forwards and earned a massive amount of money.
6. DaMarcus Beasley
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He developed in the college soccer system before moving to Europe. He played for major clubs in England, Germany, and the Netherlands. His long international career allowed him to accumulate significant earnings year after year.
7. Cyle Larin
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He attended UConn and quickly caught the attention of professional clubs. He signed major contracts in MLS before moving on to Europe. His strong career led him to earn amounts far above the college soccer average.
8. Walker Zimmerman
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He attended Furman University before becoming a standout figure in MLS. He signed high-value contracts with Nashville SC and earned individual awards. Today, he is one of the highest-paid defenders in American soccer.
9. Jordan Morris
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He stood out at Stanford and chose to begin his professional career in MLS. The Seattle Sounders offered him a strong contract from the start. He also added significant income through national team call-ups, earning substantial money along the way.
10. Gyasi Zardes
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He played college soccer at Cal State Bakersfield before reaching MLS. He became a champion, a top scorer, and a key figure for several major teams. His consistency allowed him to negotiate very favorable contracts for himself.
11. Matt Turner
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He developed in the college system before reaching the top level. He moved from MLS to the Premier League under increasingly lucrative contracts. His rapid rise was directly reflected in his earnings.
12. Carlos Bocanegra
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He played at UCLA before building a solid career in Europe. He signed major contracts in England, France, and Scotland. He was one of the highest-paid American defenders of his era.
13. Maurice Edu
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He stood out at the University of Maryland before turning professional. He played in MLS and later for European clubs under solid contracts. His versatility on the field ensured long-term financial stability and helped him earn a significant amount of money.
14. Sacha Kljestan
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He attended Seton Hall before moving to European football. He played in the Bundesliga and other leagues on competitive salaries. Upon returning to MLS, he signed high-value contracts as a designated player.
15. Alejandro Bedoya
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He played college soccer at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He spent much of his career in Europe before returning to MLS. The international experience he gained allowed him to secure solid, reliable earnings.
16. Omar Gonzalez
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For years, he ranked among the highest-paid defenders. He developed at UCLA and became one of the top defensive figures in MLS. He signed major contracts with the LA Galaxy and in Mexican football.
17. Darlington Nagbe
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He attended the University of Akron before making his professional debut. He became a key player in MLS under very high-value contracts. His consistency helped him earn a significant amount of money and rank among the league’s highest-paid players.
18. Sebastian Lletget
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Sebastian played college soccer before beginning his professional career in Europe, then established himself in MLS with increasingly lucrative contracts. He also added income through appearances with the U.S. national team.
19. Jack Harrison
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His Premier League career significantly boosted his value and earnings. He developed at Wake Forest University before signing as a professional. In just a few years, he went from college soccer to multi-million-dollar contracts.
20. Miles Robinson
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He played college soccer at Syracuse University before reaching MLS. He signed major contracts and attracted interest from European clubs. His projection and performance quickly placed him in the upper salary range.
More Related Notes You’ll Want to Read -
The 15 Most Expensive NIL Deals in College Sports Wealth GangA perfect companion piece for your list—this one shows how some athletes start making serious money before going pro through NIL deals. It adds great context around the “money pipeline” from college to big paydays.
10 Expensive Sports Contracts That Broke Records Wealth GangIf your article focuses on players who cashed in, this link reinforces the theme with record-setting contracts across sports. It helps readers compare just how wild pro salaries can get.
Why So Many Athletes End Up Losing All Their Money Wealth GangThis adds a smart twist: earning “dumb money” is one thing—keeping it is another. It’s a strong related read that keeps users clicking while staying on-theme with athlete wealth.
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