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

Atlanta United midfielder Thiago Almada completes 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 an MLS-record $21 million for Almada. The deal could potentially reach a total value of $30 million if additional payment conditions 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 it could be his last for Atlanta, saying: “There have been a lot of rumors, some of them true, but there’s nothing official. I can’t confirm anything without going to the club. I have a lot of respect for the institution I’m in and probably yes, but I’m waiting for it to be announced officially.”

He added: “To score a goal at home and with a victory is a happy ending. Even though 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 MLS Young Player of the Year in 2023.

“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 on the radar of the Argentine national team. I think it was a very important step from Velez to Atlanta.”

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