MLS Atlanta striker Almada sent to Brazil's Botafogo

Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada was transferred from Atlanta United of MLS to Brazil's Botafogo on Saturday in a deal expected to eventually send him to France's Olympique Lyonnais.

Atlanta United announced the move, worth $30 million in total according to reports that also tied him to another club in the John Textor-owned Eagle Football Holdings group.

The group owns Lyonnais, Botafogo and Crystal Palace of the English Premier League and Almada will join the French side in 2025, according to ESPN and The Athletic.

The 23-year-old striker, who helped Argentina capture the 2022 Qatar World Cup, joined Atlanta United in February 2022 for a reported MLS record $16 million from Vélez Sarsfield.

"We spent more than a year recruiting Thiago to join Atlanta United and during that process, we agreed that our club could provide a great platform to showcase his abilities and he would have the opportunity to continue his development until the time was right for him to move on to the next challenge," Atlanta United technical director Carlos Bocanegra said.

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"We're proud of what Thiago was able to accomplish in a short period of time."

Almada was named MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2022 and a 2023 MLS All-Star.

"Our team has been prepared for this move and we will look to immediately reinvest in the team during the upcoming summer transfer window," Bocanegra said.

Almada scored 24 goals and set up 34 others in 81 matches for Atlanta, which stands 6-9 with six drawn for 24 points in the Eastern Conference.