Inter Miami are not slowing down after lifting the MLS Cup. Their first move of the new cycle sends a clear message: this is not a one-off title run. This is a project built to stay at the top.

The MLS champions have officially signed Spanish left-back Sergio Reguilón as a free agent, bringing in a proven European defender to step into the space left by the retirement of Jordi Alba. It is a big-name, high-profile move that underlines how serious Inter Miami are about 2026 and beyond.

Inter Miami Land Sergio Reguilón on a Long-Term Deal

Reguilón joins Inter Miami CF after his contract with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur expired on June 30, 2025. The club have given him a multi-year deal that runs through December 2027, with an option for the 2028 season. At 28 years old, he is entering what many consider the prime years for a full-back.

He will occupy an international roster slot, which shows how strongly the club value him. In MLS, those slots are limited and traded for serious value, so using one on Reguilón is a statement of trust in his impact.

For Inter Miami, fresh off a historic MLS Cup win on December 6, 2025, this is the first signing of their title defence era. It is also a direct reply to their biggest question of the offseason: how do you replace Alba, a Barcelona and Spain legend who helped transform their left side?

“Swapping Alba for Reguilón keeps that left flank elite – Miami aren’t taking a step back at all.”

From Madrid to Miami: Reguilón’s Winding Road

Reguilón is not some unknown gamble. His path to Miami runs through some of the biggest clubs and biggest games in world football.

He grew up in the Real Madrid system, coming through their academy and youth teams. That in itself is a strong education: high expectations, pressure from day one, and daily training against top talent. He was part of the squad that won the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup with Madrid, giving him early experience of winning titles on the global stage.

His real breakthrough came on loan at Sevilla in the 2019–20 season. There, he did not just play – he won. Reguilón helped Sevilla lift the UEFA Europa League, building a reputation as an attacking left-back who loved to burst forward but could also hold his own defensively.

That season put him on the radar of English clubs, and Tottenham Hotspur moved to sign him. At Spurs, he made 73 appearances, scoring two goals and adding nine assists. Those numbers show a full-back who gets involved in the final third, something that fits perfectly with the way Inter Miami like to attack.

After his early seasons in North London, Reguilón’s role at Spurs started to shrink. Tottenham sent him on a series of loans to stay sharp and play minutes at a high level:

• Atlético Madrid – a chance to stay in LaLiga and work under a demanding coach in a defensive system.
• Manchester United – a loan into one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League, with all the attention that brings.
• Brentford – a different challenge at a smart, data-driven club known for making the most of loanees.

In his final season under contract at Tottenham, he played only six games across all competitions. On May 31, 2025, Spurs confirmed his departure, along with other players such as Fraser Forster, as part of a wider squad reset.

So when he became a free agent, Reguilón had a choice: accept a smaller role somewhere in Europe, or become a key piece in a growing powerhouse in MLS. Reports from Spain suggested that as early as October 2025, Inter Miami had moved into pole position for his signature. In the end, he chose South Florida over other offers.

Stepping Into Jordi Alba’s Shadow – and His Space

There is no point avoiding it: Reguilón is here to replace Jordi Alba. That is both a challenge and a huge opportunity.

Alba, a long-time Barcelona star and Spain regular, helped change Inter Miami’s ceiling when he arrived. His passing, overlaps and understanding with Lionel Messi gave Miami a world-class left side and helped power their run to the MLS Cup in 2025. When he retired, he left behind more than a gap at left-back – he left a standard.

Reguilón’s job is not to copy Alba, but to bring his own energy to the role. He offers:

• High work rate up and down the flank.
• Experience in top leagues and European competitions.
• Attacking support with crosses and cutbacks from wide areas.

He also brings international pedigree, with six caps for Spain, the last coming in a 2022 World Cup qualifier. That level of experience should help him adapt quickly to MLS and to the expectations at Inter Miami.

“If Reguilón locks down that side, Miami’s back line might actually be better balanced than last year.”

Why Reguilón Chose Inter Miami’s “Ambitious Project”

Reguilón has been clear about why he joined: he sees Inter Miami as a winning club on the rise.

“It’s a very ambitious project, a winning club that is doing things the right way, and that’s what attracted me: coming here to keep winning and competing,” he said after the signing was announced. His words fit the club’s current mood. They have just won the MLS Cup, but they do not want that to be the end of the story.

He went even further, laying out his goals in plain terms: “My objective is to keep winning, go after the trophies we’re missing, and win everything here.” For a defender coming from Europe, that is not just a polite line – it is a clear sign that he understands the pressure and is ready to embrace it.

For Inter Miami, players with that mindset are vital. They do not just need big names; they need big characters who are driven by trophies, not only by lifestyle or brand value. Reguilón, still only 28, fits the profile of someone who is hungry to prove himself again at a new club.

Building the 2026 Inter Miami: Reguilón and the Suárez Question

Reguilón’s arrival also slots into a bigger puzzle: how Inter Miami shape their 2026 roster around aging stars and new additions.

One of the biggest stories of the offseason is whether Luis Suárez will stay. The veteran striker was a key part of Miami’s attack, and co-owner Jorge Mas has been open about wanting him to return.

“Luis [Suárez] deserves to be able to make that decision… And if he decides to stay at the club for another year, it would be great. I would like to see Suárez stay,” Mas said.

While the Suárez talks continue, Reguilón’s signing gives the club something important: stability at the back and on the flank. When you have star forwards possibly entering their last years at the top level, shoring up the defence and transitions becomes essential. Reguilón’s ability to both defend and push forward will help Miami remain dangerous without becoming reckless.

“Keep Suárez, add Reguilón, and this feels less like a victory lap and more like the start of an era.”

What Reguilón Means for MLS and Inter Miami’s Image

On a league level, this move continues a clear trend: MLS is no longer just a place for stars at the end of their careers. Reguilón may not be in his early 20s, but at 28 he is still in his prime and could have stayed in Europe. Choosing Miami gives MLS more proof that it can attract players who still have a lot to give.

For Inter Miami, it reinforces their image as a club that knows how to mix global names with a clear sporting plan. They are not only collecting famous players; they are filling needs. Alba retires, and in comes another Spanish left-back with experience in LaLiga, the Premier League and European competitions.

That kind of continuity matters. It keeps standards high in the dressing room and on the pitch. It also sends a message to future targets: this is a place where you can compete for trophies, not just sell shirts.

Looking Ahead: Can Reguilón Help Miami “Win Everything”?

The big question now is not whether Sergio Reguilón is a good signing. His CV answers that. The real question is how quickly he can adapt and how high Inter Miami’s ceiling becomes with him in the squad.

He will be asked to give them energy, experience, and quality on the ball from day one. He will face long away trips, different climates, and a new style of league play. But he has already shown he can move between clubs and countries and still perform.

If he settles fast, Inter Miami will have done more than just replace Jordi Alba – they will have refreshed a key part of the team without losing quality. Combined with a possible Suárez return and the core that delivered the 2025 MLS Cup, it sets the stage for a serious push on every front in 2026.

Reguilón said he came to chase the trophies Inter Miami are “missing” and to “win everything.” Now the work begins to see if that bold promise can become the next chapter in this club’s still-young, already dramatic story.