Atlanta United Sell Star Giorgos Giakoumakis To Cruz Azul

Atlanta United FC have moved on from Giorgos Giakoumakis. The 29 year old Greek International has been sold to Cruz Azul for a reported $10m (according to Fabrizio Romano and Tom Bogert). This huge payday for Atlanta comes at a price as they have now lost a man who seemed like a guaranteed goal scorer game in and game out. In 11 games this season for Atlanta, Giakoumakis has 8 goal contributions. Also, in his 43 games played for the club, he has scored 24 goals and 5 assists. In his only full season in MLS (2023), Giakoumakis was named to the league’s Best XI, Newcomer of the Year, and an All Star. 

This leaves Atlanta United with strikers Daniel Rios and Jamal Thiare as their only options. Both have played in Atlanta for a good amount of games now… but neither have been proven goal scoring commodities. But, this now leaves Atlanta United with $10m, an open Designated Player spot, and a summer transfer window to bring in a big time star. The problem? Atlanta also recently let go of manager Gonzalo Pineda and the plan might be to hire a manager before that striker comes aboard. This could end up becoming a throw away season in “A-Town” as the club tries to focus on an off-season refresh with a new man in charge soon enough. It’ll be interesting to see what happens over the course of the next few months as Garth Lagerway and Carlos Bocanegra piece things back together.