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Atlanta United has signed Estudiantes de La Plata winger Manuel Castro on a loan with an option to buy. InfoCielo was first to report the news.
The loan will extend through June, with Atlanta United having the chance to extend it through the rest of the season. It’s safe to say Castro will be an Atlanta United player for the forseeable future.
“Manuel is a versatile winger with valuable experience in both the Argentine and Uruguayan first divisions and he’ll add solid competition to our attack,” said club vice president Carlos Bocanegra in a statement. “His work rate and willingness to run both ways fits in with our dynamic style of play. We look forward to welcoming him to Atlanta and into our team.”
The 24-year old from Duranzo, Uruguay has been plying his trade in Argentina with Estudiantes since 2018. There, he made 19 starts and 23 appearances. Castro is a natural right-sided player that can play on either wing. He is more of a playmaker than a pacy winger like Tito Villalba.
Estudiantes has been happy to do business with MLS clubs in recent years. Atlanta has an existing relationship with the club after the pair arranged the transfer of Leandro Gonzalez Pirez in 2017. Now, the Argentine club will send midfielder Ivan Gomez to Inter Miami and are letting another youngster leave to Atlanta.