Atlanta United Sign Forward Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough for MLS-Record Transfer Fee

The Designated Player deal for the prolific Championship striker cost the largest incoming transfer fee in MLS history.

Credit: Middlesbrough FC

At last, Atlanta United has their third designated player signing, and at last United has their replacement for Giorgos Giakoumakis.

United announced today the signing of forward Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough for a fee reported by the BBC as $28 million and reported as $22 million plus add-ons by Tom Bogert. No matter the exact structure of the payments, Middlesbrough have confirmed it is a record for both the MLS and for their club.

Latte Lath comes in having scored 20 goals in Serie A, B, and C in Italy over 120 matches, 14 goals in 31 appearances with FC St. Gallen in the Swiss Super League, and 27 goals in 57 appearances with Middlesbrough. He has also appeared for the Ivory Coast National Team.

Lath profiles as an extremely rapid player who finds space to exploit behind the defense. He is very good on the ball, especially under pressure in the 18-yard box, and can dribble his way into scoring positions when needed. Just like Giakoumakis, Latte Lath is very talented in the air and can provide headers with both pace and placement. He seems to be a fusion of the talent of Atlanta’s previous DP #9’s, Giakoumakis and Josef Martinez, and is a perfect fit both in Ronny Deila’s high press, numbers-in-the-box, space-exploiting system and in front of Alexey Miranchuk at the 10.

Now, Atlanta has a starting attacking unit of Latte Lath, Miranchuk, Miguel Almiron, and Saba Lobjanidze, arguably the best unit in the league and maybe even in North America. With how much money has been invested, they’ll be expected to produce results immediately, but at the very least this signing is the culmination of a major show of intent by Garth Lagerway and Chris Henderson these past two transfer windows. Is this the brightest the future has ever been for Atlanta United?