Atlanta United today announced it has acquired Franco Escobar from Newell’s Old Boys of the Argentine Primera Division as a Discovery Signing. The 22-year-old defender will officially join the club pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.

“Franco is a physical and versatile defender, capable of playing anywhere along the back line,” said Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra. “He’s a young player who has already featured often in the Argentina Primera Division and he brings a level of toughness that will suit MLS and benefit our club immediately.”

A native of Rosario, Argentina, Escobar has made 34 career appearances in the Argentine Primera Division, splitting time between center back and right back. He made his professional debut with Newell’s Old Boys on June 7, 2015 against Boca Juniors and went on to make 15 starts during the season. During the 2016-17 season, Escobar made 12 starts and helped lead Newell’s to an 11th place finish, qualifying the club for the 2018 Copa Sudamericana. Most recently, he started his first match of the 2017-18 season on Nov. 26, helping Newell’s defeat River Plate 3-1.

The MLS offseason officially begins Sunday, Dec. 10 with a half-day trade window from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Newcomer LAFC will take part in the MLS Expansion Draft on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. Free agency will then officially open later that day at 3 p.m. The Waiver Draft will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. before the Re-Entry process begins with Stage 1 on Friday, Dec. 15 (3 p.m.) and Stage 2 on Thursday, Dec. 21 (2 p.m.).

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Franco Escobar

Position: Defender

Birthdate: Feb. 21, 1995 (age: 22)

Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina

Height: 5-11

Citizenship: Argentina

Previous Club: Newell’s Old Boys

Transaction: Atlanta United signed Franco Escobar from Newell’s Old Boys as a Discovery Signing on Dec. 8, 2017