Tag Archives: Velez Sarsfield

Atlanta United Completes Transfer of Thiago Almada to Brazil’s Botafogo

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Thiago Almada is heading to Brazil.

Atlanta United has completed its transfer of the 23-year-old Argentine professional footballer to Brazilian top-flight side Botafogo for a Major League Soccer-record fee, the club announced on Saturday.

Thiago AlmadaWhile the club confirmed the fee is a record, it didn’t attach a monetary figure. The Athletic reported Atlanta United stands to receive $21 million with up to $30m possible if conditions are met.

The 5-foot-7 midfielder/winger is expected to be on the move from Brazil over the winter. Botafogo is part of Eagle Football Holdings, which also operates Lyon of France’s Ligue 1 and Crystal Palace of England’s Premier League. It’s anticipated he will join Lyon in January.

Almada was transferred to Atlanta in February 2022 for a reported $16m by Velez Sarsfield of Argentina’s Primera Division. He went on to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina and will play for his nation in the 2024 Paris Games beginning later this month.

“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’s vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a news release.

Almada appeared in 77 regular-season matches (72 starts) with Atlanta United, recording 23 goals and 33 assists. He was honored as MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2022 and MLS Young Player the following year.

“His success is something we’re all proud of and a ton of credit is owed to our scouting department, in addition to everyone who has worked with him at the club,” Bocanegra said. “Our team has been prepared for this move and we will look to immediately reinvest in the team during the upcoming summer transfer window.”

Fernando Gago Named New Head Coach of Liga MX’s Chivas

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Fernando Gago is headed to Liga MX…

The Mexican soccer league’s Chivas have hired the 27-year-old Argentine football manager and former player as their new head coach.

Fernando Gago,Gago replaces Veljko Paunovic (21W-8D-13L), who mutually parted ways with Liga MX’s second-most successful side on December 15 after a disappointing quarterfinal playoff exit in the 2023 Apertura season. 

Although Paunovic initially exceeded expectations with a run to the 2023 Clausura final in his first season in charge, this season’s quarterfinal exit, coupled with a failure to qualify for the knockout round of the summer’s inaugural MLS-Liga MX Leagues Cup tournament, ultimately led to his departure.

Gago will now begin his third managerial job — and first outside of his home country — after previously leading Racing Club (2021-23) and Aldosivi (2021).

With Aldosivi, Gago produced inconsistent results and resigned in October 2021 after suffering seven defeats in a row.

Brought on by Racing Club weeks later, Gago closed out the 2021 Liga Profesional de Futbol season with a 3W-0D-5L record.

After mixed performances in 2022’s Copa de la Liga Profesional, Copa Argentina and Copa Sudamericana, Racing Club eventually gained steam with a second place finish in the 2022 league season, a Trofeo de Campeones title and a Supercopa Internacional championship in January 2023.

However, questionable results returned, including a 12th place finish in the regular season, which led to Gago’s exit in early October.

Despite being plagued by injuries as a player, Gago collected 61 caps for Argentina‘s national team, as well as a long list of club titles through Boca Juniors, Real Madrid and Velez Sarsfield.

The midfielder also played abroad for Roma and Valencia.

Chivas return to play in January for the 2024 Clausura season. The Guadalajara side are second in Liga MX’s all-time list for championships with 12, but have only lifted once league trophy since 2007.

On Sunday, historic rivals Club América secured their 14th Liga MX title after defeating Tigres 4-1 on aggregate in the 2023 Apertura final.

Chicago Fire Acquire Gaston Gimenez from Velez Sarsfield

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Gaston Gimenez’s career is on fire…

The Chicago Fire have acquired the 28-year-old Argentine professional footballer, a defensive midfielder, from Velez Sarsfield for an undisclosed transfer fee.

Gaston Gimenez

Gimenez will occupy an international slot as a Designated Player on the Fire’s 2020 roster, pending a medical review and receipt of his international transfer paperwork. 

He’s under contract with Chicago through the 2021 season with a club option for 2022.

Gimenez has spent his entire professional career in his native Argentina, most recently with Velez in the Superliga. He has made 42 appearances with the club since 2018.

“We are thrilled to acquire a player with the quality of Gaston Gimenez,” Chicago head coach Raphael Wicky said in a club statement. “Gaston has a great left foot and is very gifted in the technical and physical aspects of the game. In addition, his humility and desire to always give his best for the team will fit in very well with the culture that we are establishing here at the Fire. I am looking forward to welcoming him to Chicago and having him be a leader on our team.”

A media outlet in Argentina reported the transfer fee was $4.3 million.

Gimenez has earned one cap with Argentina’s senior national team, playing in a friendly against Mexico in 2018.

The Fire open the MLS regular season on the road on Sunday against the defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders.