Thiago Almada completes transfer from Atlanta United to Botafogo in MLS record deal

Atlanta United midfielder Thiago Almada has completed his move to Brazilian club Botafogo after two and a half seasons in Major League Soccer.

According to a league source familiar with the negotiations, Atlanta will receive $21 million, an MLS record, for Almada. The deal could potentially reach up to $30 million in total if conditions for additional payments are met.

The 23-year-old Argentine joined Atlanta from Velez Sarsfield in 2022 for a reported $16 million. He won the MLS Newcomer of the Year award and also became the first player to win the World Cup as an active MLS player that year.

Almada scored Atlanta’s first goal in a 2-1 win over Toronto FC on Saturday. After the game, he acknowledged that it could be his last for Atlanta, saying, “There have been a lot of rumors, some of which are true, but there’s nothing official.” I can’t confirm anything without getting ahead of the club. I have a lot of respect for the institution I work in and probably yes, but I’m waiting for it to be officially announced.

He added: “Scoring a goal at home and with a victory is a happy ending. Even if the only thing I didn’t do was win a title here, I think I tried to do my best and give everything for the club.

Almada has scored 24 goals in 81 appearances in all competitions for Atlanta. He was also named the 2023 MLS Young Player of the Year.

“I think I grew a lot (with Atlanta),” Almada said. “There’s a reason I was called up to the World Cup and I was in the crosshairs of the Argentine national team. I think it was a very important step from Velez to Atlanta.”

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