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After a long wait since reports initially broke in late January, Atlanta United officially announced the signing of midfielder Franco Ibarra from Argentinos Juniors Monday.
Finances of the deal are not fully known at this point, but Cesar Luis Merlo reported in January on some of the finer details. The total transfer sum is unknown.
Ibarra would presumably be included as one of the club’s U-22 designees if the transfer fee is significant, meaning the sum will not count as part of Ibarra’s salary budget charge in 2021. Having said that, Felipe Cardenas at The Athletic tweeted that Ibarra won’t carry the designation.
Franco Ibarra will not be a U-22 Young Money signing, as far as I know.
— Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) February 22, 2021
But Ibarra is an interesting signing for #ATLUTD. An inexperienced international in a key position (CM) who will be molded by Heinze & the organization. https://t.co/lmt7Z9x113
Ibarra will take up an international roster spot.
Still very green in his professional career, Ibarra has logged just under 1,000 total minutes in the Argentine top flight. But the teenager impressed in his most recent season last year, starting all 10 of the matches in which he played. Ibarra is a defensive-minded midfielder that has been one of the club’s top priorities over the summer.
Welcome Franco!