TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Transfer
Atlanta United have actually moved midfielder Thiago Almada to Brazilian top-flight side Botafogo for an MLS-record charge, the club revealed Saturday.
Almada, a 2022 FIFA World Cup champ with Argentina, signed up with Atlanta in February 2022 for a reported MLS-record $16 million charge from boyhood side Vélez Sarsfield.
Now, he exits for an amount going beyond 2 previous benchmark offers: when Alphonso Davies signed up with Bayern Munich from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2018 and when Miguel Almirón signed up with Newcastle United from Atlanta in 2019.
In addition, as part of the offer, reports suggest the 23-year-old Almada will advance to Lyon next winter season. The Ligue 1 side, Crystal Palace (Premier League) and Botafogo belong to the John Textor-led Eagle Football Holdings ownership group.
“We invested more than a year hiring Thiago to sign up with Atlanta United and throughout that procedure, we concurred that our club might offer an excellent platform to display his capabilities and he would have the chance to continue his advancement up until the time was ideal for him to proceed to the next difficulty,” vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra stated in a release.
Fast increase
Almada was electrical throughout his Atlanta United profession, tallying 23g/33a in 77 regular-season matches.
The No. 10 was called MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2022 and MLS Young Player of the Year in 2023. Throughout the latter season, he likewise made MLS Best XI provided by Continental Tire honors.
Worldwide, Almada has one objective in 4 senior-team looks with Argentina– memorably signing up with Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. He is slated to captain La Albiceleste at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Almada was Atlanta's newest South American playmaker, following in the steps of Almirón, Pity Martinez and Ezequiel Barco. There were typically contrasts drawn in between Almada and Almirón, the latter of whom signed up with Newcastle for a reported $27 million cost.
“His success is something we're all pleased with and a lots of credit is owed to our searching department, in addition to everybody who has actually dealt with him at the club,” Bocanegra stated. “Our group has actually been gotten ready for this relocation and we will seek to instantly reinvest in the group throughout the upcoming summertime transfer window.”
What now?
Almada is Atlanta's 2nd outbound Designated Player this summer season, following Giorgos Giakoumakis' reported $10 million transfer to Liga MX side Cruz Azul. Atlanta might quickly take advantage of their newly found DP versatility, as the Secondary Transfer Window ranges from July 18 to Aug. 14
The Five Stripes are ninth in the Eastern Conference and led by interim coach Rob Valentino after the club parted methods with Gonzalo Pineda in early June.
