Thiago Almada to join Atlanta United in January; will be the most expensive MLS player ever

Thiago Almada of Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield is all set to join MLS club Atlanta United. The 20-year-old also attracted interest from several top clubs in Europe, but has decided to join the American franchise instead. 

Both Manchester clubs from the Premier League, Marseille and Lyon were hoping to attract the youngster to Europe, but the situation has turned out otherwise. 

Atlanta United will pay a fee worth $15 million, plus add-ons for the attacking midfielder. This would make Thiago Almada the most expensive player ever in the MLS, as well as for Atlanta United. 

Thiago Almada confirms: “I’ll join Atlanta United in January transfer window, it’s true. The deal is done but not official yet”, he told @pasoapaso. 🇦🇷🇺🇸 #AtlantaUtd #MLS

Thiago Almada will sign until June 2026 and he’s leaving Vélez. #Velez @CLMerlo pic.twitter.com/GnXHrksEr3

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 8, 2021

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 “I’ll join Atlanta United in the January transfer window, it’s true,” Almada said on Monday to the TyC Sports show Paso a Paso. “The deal is done but no official yet”. He will sign a contract until 2026 with the American club, and will sign in the midseason transfer window. 

The two clubs reached an agreement in August, but the structure of the deal meant that it was not possible for the transfer to be completed in the summer. Currently valued at $22 million on Transfermarkt, Almada will become the most valuable player in MLS when he completes his transfer. 

Thiago Almada has provided nine goals and six assists in 33 games across all competitions for Vélez Sarsfield. He has also been handed his first Argentina international call-up for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The player is expected to make his debut for the Albiceleste in the upcoming week.