Martino: U-22 Tomas Jacob "was the first player I asked for."

Atlanta United manager Tata Martino shared why he feels so strongly about his new versatile defensive piece.

When Atlanta United announced just before the new year that it had signed former Newell’s Old Boys and Necaxa youngster Tomas Jacob to a U-22 Initiative deal, few would have known just how important the signing was for Tata Martino’s vision of a reimagined Atlanta United in 2026.

Speaking to media this week, Tata explained that Jacob was a priority signing for the Argentine after having scouted Jacob abroad over the past months and years.

“I always thought he was a player I was excited to coach, and when I got here he was the first player I asked for,” Martino said Wednesday¹. “Because he also fit into the U22 initiative, we could work with him from early on. The front office moved quickly and signed him, and he’s going to be a player who gives a lot.”

Physically, Jacob is a unit, standing at a reported 6’2” and apparently a versatile defensive player who is still growing into his own as a professional player. But it’s the mentality for that young player that impressed Atlanta United’s manager to the point where he felt so eager to work with him. Tata spoke about seeing Jacob thrive at Newell’s despite lack of success for the team during a difficult moment for the club.