Atlanta United announced today it has transferred midfielder Tito Villalba to Club Libertad in Paraguay for an undisclosed transfer fee.

“We want to thank Tito for his contribution and service to the club over the last three years,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said. “He did a lot for our club as our first Designated Player and we wish him nothing but the best of luck in his future.”

Villalba, 25, signed with Atlanta United on July 22, 2016 as a Designated Player. Overall with the club, he made 96 appearances with 67 starts, scoring 21 goals with 24 assists. Villalba’s playing time with the club had diminished since his first MLS season in 2017, where he started all 34 matches and scored 13 goals with 11 assists. The following year, Villalba appeared in 28 games with 21 starts, helping Atlanta claim the 2018 MLS Cup, where he made five postseason appearances.

During the 2019 MLS season, Villalba made 20 appearances, started 10 games and scored one goal. He appeared in two postseason matches. Prior to joining Atlanta, Villalba spent more than a decade with his hometown club San Lorenzo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, beginning in the youth academy at the age of 10. He was part of the squad that won the 2014 Copa Libertadores and by age 21 had made more than 100 first team appearances, scoring 16 goals with 13 assists.

Transaction: Atlanta United transfers Tito Villalba to Club Libertad for an undisclosed transfer fee on Jan. 31, 2020.

2020 Atlanta United roster (as of Jan. 31, 2020)

Goalkeepers (3): Brad Guzan, Alec Kann, Brendan Moore

Defenders (10): George Bello, George Campbell, Edgar Castillo, Franco Escobar, Jon Gallagher*, Brooks Lennon, Fernando Meza, Patrick Nielsen****, Miles Robinson, Anton Walkes

Midfielders (8): Mo Adams, Ezequiel Barco, Andrew Carleton***, Luiz Fernando, Emerson Hyndman, Jeff Larentowicz, Jake Mulraney, Eric Remedi

Forwards (4): Adam Jahn, Lagos Kunga**, Josef Martinez, Pity Martinez

* - on loan with Aberdeen

** - on loan with Phoenix Rising

*** - on loan with Indy Eleven

**** - unsigned SuperDraft pick