Atlanta United sets MLS transfer record with sale of Thiago Almada

Almada said after his team’s 2-1 win over Toronto that his biggest regret was not helping Atlanta United win a trophy in his two-plus seasons. He said he felt he had grown as a player and as a person with the team.

“The culture at Atlanta United helped me a lot, and my teammates,” he said. “So I think it was a good step in my career. I got called up to the national team… and I went to the World Cup.”

Almada, 23, is the only active MLS player to have been part of a World Cup-winning team when he was with Argentina in 2022 in Qatar. He was not named to the Copa America squad that will face Canada in the semifinals.

Almada is expected to travel to France to play for Argentina at the Olympics and then join Botafogo in their bid to win Serie A. The club are three points behind Flamengo after 14 games. Almada is then expected to travel to Lyon in France. Eagle Football Holdings owns both clubs.

Atlanta United acquired Almada for an estimated $16 million from Velez Sarsfield in Argentina ahead of the 2022 season. He finished with 24 goals and 34 assists in 79 regular-season and playoff appearances during his career with the club.

Atlanta United sold two players, forward Giorgos Giakoumakis and Almada, for a combined $31 million. Additionally, South American journalist CL Merlo reported Friday that Spartak Moscow made a $16 million offer to River Plate for Ezequiel Barco, a former Atlanta United player. A sell-back percentage was negotiated as part of the deal between Atlanta United and River when he was loaned in 2022 and sold before the 2023 season. Atlanta United has not yet specified what that sell-back percentage is. Atlanta United paid Independiente $15 million for him before the 2018 season.

The team signed a guard, Pedro Amador. President Garth Lagerwey said the team is trying to sign another forward. It will also likely try to sign Almada’s replacement during this window, which opens July 18 and ends Aug. 14. Atlanta United vice president Carlos Bocanegra is expected to speak to reporters Monday at the team’s practice ahead of Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup game against Indy Eleven.

“We spent over a year recruiting Thiago to join Atlanta United and during that process we agreed that our club could provide an excellent platform to showcase his abilities and that he would have the opportunity to continue his development until the time was right for him to move on to the next challenge,” Bocanegra said in a statement provided by the club.

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Atlanta United 2024 Schedule

February 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0

March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0

April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1

April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2

April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1

April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1

May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in US Open Cup

May 11 DC United 3, Atlanta United 2

May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0

May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1

May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in US Open Cup

May 25 LAFC 1, Atlanta United 0

May 29 Atlanta United 3, Miami 1

June 2 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 2

June 15 Atlanta United 2, Houston 2

June 19 Atlanta United 1, DC United 0

June 22 Atlanta United 1, St. Louis 1

June 29 Atlanta United 2, Toronto 1

July 3 New England 2, Atlanta United 1

July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.

July 9 vs. Indy Eleven in US Open Cup

July 13 in Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

July 17 vs NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.

July 20 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m.

July 26 vs. DC United in Leagues Cup, 7:30 p.m.

August 4 against Santos Laguna in Leagues Cup, 4 p.m.

August 24 at LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.

August 31 in Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.

September 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.

September 18 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.

September 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

September 28 in Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

October 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

October 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

October 19 in Orlando, 6 p.m.