ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta United has transferred defender Alan Franco to São Paulo FC of the Brazilian Serie A for an undisclosed fee, opening up an international roster slot.
The transfer was announced Thursday.
Franco played in 56 MLS matches — starting all but two of them — over the past two seasons. In 2022, he led the team in minutes played (2,715) and scored his lone goal in a 3-2 victory over D.C. United on Aug. 28.
The 26-year-old Argentinian center back had seven assists for United, becoming the first Atlanta player to record three assists in one game during a 2021 match against Cincinnati.
Technical director Carlos Bocanegra said “an opportunity that arose and was beneficial for both the club and the player.”
The transfer of Franco came one day after Atlanta recalled midfielder Tyler Wolff from a loan to Belgian club SK Beveren that has been set to run through the end of the 2022-23 season.
Wolff will now join Atlanta for preseason training.
Also Wednesday, United terminated the contract of injury-plagued midfielder Emerson Hyndman by mutual agreement.
Atlanta United, which missed the playoffs for only the second time in its six-year history, opens the MLS regular season at home against San Jose on Feb. 25.
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