TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Signing
Atlanta United have moved quickly to fill their open Designated Player spot, announcing Tuesday the signing of midfielder Marcelino Moreno from Lanus in Argentina's Superliga for an undisclosed transfer fee.
Moreno, 25, will be the sixth Designated Player in the club's history, and joins Ezequiel Barco and the injured Josef Martinez as current DPs on the roster. He will ostensibly fill the shoes of the departed Gonzalo "Pity" Martinez, who joined Saudi club Al-Nassr FC for a reported eight-figured transfer fee earlier this month.
“We’re pleased to bring in a player of Marcelino’s caliber and look forward to welcoming him to the club,” Atlanta United vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement. “He is a dynamic attacking midfielder who has proven to be a consistent performer in the Argentine Superliga. He has fantastic balance and change of direction ability and is a player who can create on his own or bring others into the game.”
Highlights: Marcelino Moreno
In coming to the Five Stripes from Lanus, Moreno's path mirrors that of Miguel Almiron, the star Paraguayan playmaker who helped Atlanta to MLS Cup 2018 before departing for Newcastle United. Moreno has made 106 total appearances for Lanus, including 85 in the Superliga. He has also appeared 11 times in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana for the Argentine club — with whom he has made all of his professional appearances —and made four appearances in their run to the 2017 Copa Libertadores final.
Since making his professional debut in July 2016, Moreno has appeared in at least 20 games in each of his seasons with Lanus. He enjoyed his most productive season in 2019-20 scoring three goals and adding six assists in 20 Superliga appearances.
