By paying $16 million to acquire attacking midfielder Thiago Almada, Atlanta United FC completed the biggest transfer in Major League Soccer (MLS) history…for a third time.
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Almada, a young man of 20, comes from Velez Sarsfield, in the Argentine first division. He will occupy a designated player spot and his contract runs until 2025, Atlanta confirmed on Wednesday.
Since making their MLS debut in 2017, Georgia have been the league’s biggest spenders. According to the league’s website, Atlanta set a record by paying $15 million for Ezequiel Barco in 2018. The following year, Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez joined the club for $15.5 million.
Almada’s appearance was reportedly complicated by allegations of sexual assault. The technical director and vice-president of Atlanta United, Carlos Bocanegra, however assured to have been cautious in the file.
“After an exhaustive and thorough process, we have exercised our exclusive option for the permanent transfer of Thiago. He is a player we have followed for a long time and he has shown that he is one of the best young players in South America in recent seasons,” Bocanegra said in a written statement.
Almada represented Argentina at the Tokyo Olympics last year. With Velez Sarsfield, he amassed 24 goals and 11 assists in 100 games in all competitions.