Atlanta United lend M Franco Ibarra to Toronto FC

Atlanta United is lending midfielder Franco Ibarra to Toronto FC for the remainder of the 2023 MLS season.

Both Eastern Conference clubs announced the deal Monday, with Atlanta receiving $50,000 in 2023 general allocation money in exchange.

Ibarra, 22, has appeared in 17 MLS matches (15 starts) this season with Atlanta. The Argentina native has one assist in 53 matches (35 starts) since joining the Five Stripes in 2021.

"Franco is a bright talent who will provide us with both quality and steel in our midfield," Toronto FC general manager Jason Hernandez said in a release. "He is a warrior, a top young professional, and we are excited to have the opportunity to work with Franco for the remainder of the 2023 season."

Ibarra recently returned from a loan to Argentina's Defensa Y Justicia, which created a roster logjam. A team can only roster three U22 Initiative signings, and Atlanta already has midfielder Santiago Sosa and attackers Edwin Mosquera and Erik Lopez filling those slots.