Major League Soccer (MLS) has finally confirmed that an expansion franchise in St Louis will join the league in 2022, reports, www.sportspromedia.com/.

The announcement, which has been rumoured for several weeks, will see the franchise pay a US$200 million expansion fee to become the premier North American soccer league's 28th club. They will play their home games at a new 22,500 seater stadium in the downtown west district of St Louis, which will be built mostly with private funds.

Led by members of the Taylor family, the founders of car rental company Enterprise, the St Louis franchise will be the first in MLS to have a majority female ownership group.

"It is with great pride that we welcome St Louis to Major League Soccer," added MLS commissioner Don Garber. "St Louis is a city with a rich soccer tradition, and it is a market we have considered since the league's inception.

"Our league becomes stronger today with the addition of the city's deeply dedicated soccer fans, and the committed and innovative local ownership group led by Carolyn Kindle Betz, the Taylor family, and Jim Kavanaugh."

The confirmation of a St Louis team leaves two slots available after MLS amended its expansion target from 28 to 30 teams earlier this year.