ATLANTA – The face of the 5 Stripes for the final six seasons has been launched.

Striker Josef Martínez, with Atlanta United because the membership’s inaugural season in 2017, will be a part of Inter Miami CF in a corresponding transfer.

Atlanta United introduced the membership used its offseason buyout on Martínez’s price range cost, and he’ll now not occupy a delegated participant spot on its roster. 

Inter Miami CF will retain a portion of Martínez’s assured contract on its 2023 membership wage price range.

“Josef has performed a pivotal function in Atlanta United’s historical past, scoring memorable targets and hoisting a number of trophies for moments that can ceaselessly dwell with our supporters,” Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra stated in a group assertion. “He was a foundational piece who was chargeable for serving to construct our model into what it’s as we speak. We can’t thank him sufficient for his contributions to the membership and the neighborhood during the last six years. He’ll all the time be a part of Atlanta United and we want him the very best of luck in his future endeavors.”

The fan favourite had difficult relationships with the membership’s most up-to-date two managers, Gabriel Heinze and Gonzalo Pineda. This previous season, Pineda and Heinze reportedly engaged in a shouting match following a loss in Portland, which resulted in a week-long suspension of Martínez. Neither declined to enter additional element concerning the altercation.

Followers all the time liked Martínez’s emotional, heart-on-his-sleeve model and fervour on the pitch.

He turned the quickest participant in MLS historical past to attain 100 targets in all competitions, reaching the mark in simply 125 video games.

In whole, Martínez scored 111 targets throughout all competitions with Atlanta.

HARRISON, NJ – JUNE 30: Josef Martínez #7 of Atlanta United reacts to the purpose by Serge Ngoma #22 of New York Purple Bulls within the second half of the Main League Soccer match at Purple Bull Enviornment on June 30, 2022 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Picture by Ira L. B

“Since his arrival in 2017, Josef Martínez has poured his coronary heart and soul into Atlanta United,” group proprietor Arthur Clean stated in a press release. “We skilled quite a lot of firsts collectively – Atlanta United’s inaugural yr, Josef’s first MLS season, a variety of record-setting performances and, in fact, an MLS championship collectively. Josef is a one-of-a variety, iconic athlete, and I’m grateful to him and his household for taking an opportunity on Atlanta and rising with us. He’s one probably the most adorned MLS gamers of all time and has made Atlanta, and the whole league proud, whereas additionally representing his lovely nation of Venezuela with delight. I do know Josef will proceed to shine as he heads to the following cease on his skilled journey. I’m grateful for the time we’ve had with him, and I do know I communicate for all of the devoted 17s after I say ‘thanks Josef.’ He’s a cherished member of our Atlanta United household.”

The Venezuelan had a record-breaking marketing campaign in 2018 during which he turned the primary MLS participant to win MLS All-Star, Common Season and MLS Cup MVP honors in the identical season. The Venezuelan striker scored 31 targets in 2018 to win MLS’ Golden Boot, then-breaking the league’s common season scoring document of 27. He added 4 targets throughout the MLS Cup Playoffs to interrupt the league’s mixed scoring document with 35 targets and ship Atlanta its first MLS Cup title.

ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 08: Josef Martinez #7 of Atlanta United celebrates with the MLS Cup after their 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers throughout the 2018 MLS Cup between Atlanta United and the Portland Timbers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 8, 2 (Getty Photos)

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Martínez adopted his historic 2018 season by scoring in an MLS-record 15 consecutive matches from Could 24 to Sept. 18 and holds the document for many targets scored in a three-season span in MLS historical past with 77 from 2017 to 2019. Martínez joined elite MLS firm by turning into simply the seventh participant to document three consecutive 15+ purpose seasons.

He additionally holds the league’s all-time hat trick document with six and single-season mark with three.

After struggling a torn ACL within the 2020 MLS season-opener that pressured him to overlook the whole yr, Martínez returned in 2021 to attain a team-high 12 targets in 24 appearances, 18 begins. 

Final yr, Martínez began the season with two targets and two assists within the first 5 video games, however was pressured to overlook two months after having arthroscopic knee surgical procedure in April. He completed the season with 9 targets and added 4 assists in 26 appearances, 12 begins.