Gabriel Heinze confirms Alan Franco’s transfer to Atlanta United

It appears that Atlanta United’s long and strange journey towards finding a starting caliber centerback is over. While the club itself hasn’t put the official stamp of approval on the deal by announcing it, manager Gabriel Heinze has revealed the transfer is basically done.

The Argentine head coach revealed the news during his media availability session on Saturday afternoon.

“The centerback is already signed,” Heinze told media in a Zoom call. “It’s Alan Franco. He already signed like a week ago.”

A source familiar with the transfer has indicated to Dirty South Soccer that all that remains between Atlanta United making it 100 percent official is getting the move cleared through Major League Soccer.

Franco has already arrived in Atlanta and has posted several social media updates of himself at a local hotel.

It remains to be seen exactly when the deal will be announced and when Franco could be eligible to take the field. But it certainly seems like the strenuous search for a centerback is finally over.