Major League Soccer

MLS transfers: Franco Escobar joins LAFC

By Wilian Estrella

The MLS trade window is open and LAFC is making its moves ahead of the 2022 tournament. 

The MLS trade window is open and LAFC is making its moves ahead of the 2022 tournament. 

Síguenos enSíguenos en Google News

MLS transfers have begun and LAFC has just acquired Franco Escobar from Atlanta United, to reinforce its defense in order to have a better 2022 tournament. 

The move made by the team are due to the need to take advantage of General Allocation Money in order to strengthen their team for the 2022 tournament. 

In fact, the acquisition of Franco Escobar was made possible thanks to General Allocation Money in the amount of US$600,000, while for letting Pablo Sisniega go, the team will receive US$50,000 under the same mechanism. 

Escobar's arrival at LAFC: Atlanta United's brilliant move

Atlanta United managed to take advantage of the MLS trade window and transferred defender Franco Escobar to LAFC on Sunday in exchange for $250,000 in general allocation money for the 2022 MLS season.

But not only did they accomplish this, as the team also gained access to the ability to take another $350,000 in future revenue.

And that's not all: the Atlanta United will get a percentage of any future transfer fee if LAFC sells the Argentine defender to a team outside the league.

LAFC's need to acquire the Argentine defender is due to its urgency to reinforce the team's defensive load.

By trading Escobar the club will not have to protect him with one of its 12 available spots in the expansion draft. 

The player trade can also be considered a financial win for the club, as if they had not protected Escobar, and Charlotte FC had selected him, Atlanta United would have received only $50,000 in general allocation money.

This trade also frees up a spot on Atlanta United's veteran roster. Escobar did not occupy an international spot. 

He had a guaranteed salary of $450,000 last season, according to the MLSPA salary guide. With the trade, Atlanta United has 27 players on a 30-man roster.

Why is Franco Escobar so important to LAFC?

Escobar, 26, played on loan at Newell's Old Boys in Argentina this season. 

The player joined Atlanta United prior to the 2018 season after being acquired from Newell's for less than $600,000. 

He managed to have 63 appearances in regular-season games and eight in the playoffs for the Five Stripes.

With three seasons at Atlanta United, Escobar boasts 6,692 minutes in 81 games, five goals and six assists. 

The Argentine was a starter and helped the club win MLS Cup in 2018, scoring the second goal in a 2-0 victory, and the Champions Cup, and also came on as a late substitute in the 2019 U.S. Open Cup.

“Franco is a talented, proven MLS player who has made an impact in our league,” LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington said in a statement. “His ability to play multiple positions and his international experience will make him a great fit in L.A.”

Escobar made 81 total appearances for Atlanta in all competitions before re-joining Newell’s on loan for the 2021 season where he was limited to six matches after suffering a foot injury in February. 

Escobar’s versatility along the backline should be a big help to an LAFC backline that struggled in 2021.


More news