NEWS: Atlanta United sell Santiago Sosa to Racing Club

The Five Stripes open up a U22 slot.

Atlanta United officially announced on Friday that they have agreed on a permanent transfer of midfielder Santiago Sosa to Racing Club in Argentina. The move is complete after Sosa spent a season on loan with the Primera Division side and they triggered their option to buy. While the official transfer fee was not disclosed, media reports have the incoming sum at around $4 million.

The Five Stripes exercised their option on Sosa’s contract in their end-of-year roster decisions in order to keep him under their control and pull off this shrewd piece of business.

In addition to bringing in some extra funds to the club, it also opens up a U22 initiative roster slot that was occupied by Sosa. In addition to freeing one up after declining their option on Franco Ibarra’s contract, the club now have two open to use. However, judging by Garth Lagerwey’s comments on the matter after the season’s conclusion, it remains to be seen just how eager the club will be to utilize them this offseason.

Nevertheless, this is obviously a very good return on a player who the club had no place for within the squad. It also opens up even more maneuverability for the front office to make significant changes to the roster this winter and beyond.