February 5 – Fresh on the heels of Major League Soccer (MLS) allowing clubs to freely negotiate cash deals within the league structure, Atlanta United have gone and smashed the MLS transfer record, signing Emmanuel Latte Lath from English Championship club Middlesborough.
Lath, 26, is reported to have cost $22 million plus add-ons, putting the record, previously held by FC Cincinnati who acquired Kevin Denkey from Cercle Brugge for $16.2 million last November.
The Ivorian, proved a constant goal threat on Teesside, scoring 29 goals in 67 appearances for Boro.
“We’re excited to sign Latte Lath and look forward to welcoming him to the club and the city of Atlanta,” sporting director Chris Henderson said.
“He’s a forward with excellent pace and good goal-scoring instincts. His ability to stretch the field will add another dimension to our attack.
“At 26 years old, he’s entering the prime years of his career and has already shown his goal-scoring ability in multiple leagues in Europe.”
Atlanta, obviously believe that they have found the right man signing him through the 2028 season. He will occupy a Designated Player and international roster spot pending the receipt of his international transfer certificate and P-1 visa.
With MLS relaxing how clubs do business within its single-entity structure, the league is falling more in line with how the international game transacts business, however, there is always an eye on the past. The North American Soccer League (NASL) spent itself into oblivion in the late 70s and early 80s leading to the demise of top-level professional soccer for almost 16 years.
Now with spending levers turned off, MLS Commissioner, Don Garber, will be keeping a close eye on how and where clubs decide to invest their owner’s money.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1739080667labto1739080667ofdlr1739080667owedi1739080667sni@o1739080667fni1739080667