FC Cincinnati to make Miles Robinson DP, highest-paid center back in MLS: Sources

FC Cincinnati has signed U.S. national team defender MIles Robinson to a new contract, making him a Designated Player and the highest-paid center back in MLS, sources tell GIVEMESPORT.

The new deal — and DP status — begins at the start of 2026. Robinson won’t occupy a DP spot until then. The deal is through 2027 with a club option for 2028.

GIVEMESPORT first revealed Robinson signed a new contract last month, but now can add specific details. The contract slightly eclipses Walker Zimmerman’s $3.47m salary this year, sources say, making Robinson the highest-paid center back in MLS. This season, only two center backs were registered as DPs: Nashville’s Zimmerman and NYCFC’s Thiago Martins.

Robinson, 28, is one of the best center backs in MLS. In The Athletic’s anonymous GM survey, Robinson routinely receives votes as the best defender in MLS by sporting executives around the league. He was voted the best defender in MLS in that survey in 2024 and was second this year.

The defender left Atlanta for Cincinnati as a free agent ahead of the 2024 season. There was interest from Europe but Cincinnati convinced Robinson to join then and to stay now, a major coup for the club.

Robinson is at the heart of a strong defensive foundation alongside 2023 MLS Defender of the Year winner Matt Miazga.

Robinson’s status as a DP impacts the club’s roster build for the future. Club-record signing Kevin Denkey and MVP candidate Evander — who both joined Cincy this winter — are the club’s two DPs. Robinson joins them and now Cincy won’t be able to sign another.

That trio will be viewed among the best group of DPs in the league.

Cincy added Brazilian forward Brenner on loan this summer with a purchase option in the region of $5 million for the winter. Brenner was previously a DP for Cincy and this news complicates the club’s ability to keep him beyond this year.

FC Cincinnati are one of the best clubs in MLS and will be among the favorites for MLS Cup heading into the playoffs.