The distinction is open to players who have had professional experience in a different competition who move to an MLS team during one of the two transfer windows.
The Newcomer Of The Year Awards is given at the end of each season to the best player who has previous professional experience in another league.
The award is selected through votes cast by members of the media, MLS players, and club technical staffs.
| 2019 Newcomer of the Year | Player % | Club % | Media % | Final % |
| Carles Gil (NE) | 12.16% | 21.43% | 25.10% | 19.56% |
| Héber (NYC) | 8.78% | 15.31% | 28.57% | 17.55% |
| Alejandro Pozuelo (TOR) | 18.58% | 5.10% | 12.36% | 12.01% |
| Alexandru Mitriță (NYC) | 11.15% | 15.31% | 1.54% | 9.33% |
| Gustavo Bou (NE) | 6.76% | 9.18% | 4.63% | 6.86% |
| Cristian Pavón (LA) | 6.08% | 9.18% | 3.86% | 6.38% |
| Brian Fernández (POR) | 11.49% | 3.06% | 3.09% | 5.88% |
| Eddie Segura (LAFC) | 0.68% | 10.20% | 3.47% | 4.78% |
| Nani (ORL) | 5.07% | 2.04% | 2.32% | 3.14% |
Recipients of The MLS Newcomer of the Year Award:
| Year | Player | Club |
| 2007 | Luciano Emilio | D.C. United |
| 2008 | Darren Huckerby | San Jose Earthquakes |
| 2009 | Fredy Montero | Seattle Sounders FC |
| 2010 | Álvaro Saborío | Real Salt Lake |
| 2011 | Mauro Rosales | Seattle Sounders FC |
| 2012 | Federico Higuaín | Columbus Crew |
| 2013 | Diego Valeri | Portland Timbers |
| 2014 | Pedro Morales | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
| 2015 | Sebastian Giovinco | Toronto FC |
| 2016 | Nicolas Lodeiro | Seattle Sounders FC |
| 2017 | Miguel Almirón | Atlanta United FC |
| 2018 | Zlatan Ibrahimović | LA Galaxy |
| 2019 | Carles Gil | New England Revolution |
Past Three Winners:
Carles Gil
New England Revolution
A short bio with personal history, key achievements, or an interesting fact.
2019
Zlatan Ibrahimović
Los Angeles Galaxy
A short bio with personal history, key achievements, or an interesting fact.
2018
Miguel Almirón
Atlanta United FC
A short bio with personal history, key achievements, or an interesting fact.
2017
