Almiron would figure to thrive in coach Gerardo Martino’s pressing system alongside the team’s other Designated Player, Hector Villalba, a winger and native of Argentina who played against Almiron in the first division.

“Miguel is a player I’ve long admired,” Martino said in a statement sent by the team. “He is a very skillful player with excellent technique and great vision. He is currently one of the best players in Argentina’s top league and we’re really excited that he’s joining Atlanta United.”

With the signing of Almiron, Atlanta United has under contract goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, midfielders Junior Burgos, Andrew Carleton, Chris Goslin and Chris McCann, and forwards Kenwyne Jones, Jeffrey Otoo and Brandon Vazquez.

The club is expected to complete trades with Philadelphia for midfielder Kevin Kratz and has also reportedly agreed to a trade with Chicago for goalkeeper Sean Johnson when the window opens on Dec. 11. Atlanta United has confirmed the Kratz trade, but not the Johnson trade.

The club will soon begin building the remainder of its roster. After the trade window opens and closes on Dec. 11, Atlanta United will have five selections in the league’s expansion draft followed by the opening of free-agency on Dec. 12. The waiver draft will be held Dec. 15 and the re-entry draft (for players whose options weren’t picked up or whose contracts naturally ended) on Dec. 16. The draft for college players will take place Jan. 13 in Los Angeles.

MLS Education

Atlanta sent General Allocation Money to Seattle in exchange for the Right of First Refusal on Miguel Almiron.

What is General Allocation Money? From the league:

General Allocation Money is money that is available to a club in addition to its salary budget. Each MLS club receives an annual allotment of General Allocation Money. In 2016, that allotment is $150,000 per club.

General Allocation Money can be traded by clubs. Allocation Money can be used to “buy-down” a player’s salary budget charge as part of managing a team’s roster, including buying a salary budget charge below the League maximum of $457,500. For example, a team may “buy down” a player earning $475,000 to a budget charge of $275,000 by using $200,000 of General Allocation Money.

General Allocation Money can also be applied in the following circumstances: