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Atlanta United announced today that Erick “Cubo” Torres will be back with the team in 2021 after agreeing to a new deal. Torres was signed in the middle of last season as a free agent, and his contract option was declined by the club at the end of the 2020 season. Torres’ new deal will see him occupy a supplemental roster spot, which means his salary will not count against the club’s Salary Budget.
The club stated in its press release that Torres “will also take on a more direct role working alongside Academy players and staff.”
Club Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra added:
“Cubo has been a positive influence on our organization and we’re pleased he has chosen to re-sign with the club. While he provides competition to our group of forwards, he’s a veteran presence who understands the league and has shown a willingness to mentor our younger players.”
Atlanta United is heavily stocked at the striker position now with Josef Martinez returning from injury, new signing Lisandro Lopez in from Racing Club, and newly-minted homegrown signing Jackson Conway.
Like many other players in the squad, Torres struggled in the attack under last season’s interim manager Stephen Glass as the then-27-year-old Mexican international dealt with fitness and injury issues. He totaled 492 league minutes, scoring one goal. However, the striker continued to train and played as a sub in Atlanta’s second leg 1-0 win over Club America in the 2020 Concacaf Champions League in December.