/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53817273/D4S_3747.0.jpg)
Josef Martinez is now officially an Atlanta United player. The club announced today they’ve reached an agreement with Torino to acquire his rights for an undisclosed fee. He has signed a multi-year contract with the club. Martinez, 23, was acquired on loan from the Serie A club in early February with an option to buy on the end of the agreement.
He's officially ours #ATLUTD finalize permanent transfer of @JosefMartinez17
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) March 21, 2017
Details | https://t.co/aZsG8kDiny pic.twitter.com/A5DQKlcPzx
“The loan deal had an option to make the transfer permanent which we have now triggered as planned,” Atlanta United president Darren Eales said. “Josef has been a fantastic addition to our club and it’s clear he has the ability to continuing making an impact in our league.”
With the Venezuelan’s amazing play since joining the club, including nine total goals split between three preseason matches and the first three matches of the MLS season, the decision to acquire him outright was a very easy one.
After scoring the club’s first ever hat trick in Week 2 against Minnesota, he followed that up with a two-goal performance in the club’s first ever home victory against Chicago. He won Player of the Week honors for the hat trick and is well on his way to winning Goal of the Week for his tight angle finish last weekend.
This is a great piece of news that Atlanta United fans won’t have to worry about any more. Josef is all ours.