Almada finalizing move from Atlanta to Botafogo in MLS-record deal

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

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

The 23-year-old Argentine joined Atlanta from Velez Sarsfield in 2022 for a reported fee of $16m. He won the MLS Newcomer of the Year award and he 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 match, he acknowledged that it could be his last for Atlanta, saying, “There have been many rumors, some of which are true, but there is nothing official. I can’t confirm anything without getting ahead of the club. I have a lot of respect for the institution that I’m at and probably yes, but I’m waiting for it to be announced officially.”

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

Almada scored 24 goals in 81 appearances across 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 why I was called up to the World Cup and I was on the Argentine national team’s radar. I think it was a very important step from Velez to Atlanta.”

(Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)