Emmanuel Latte Lath. News Images

Atlanta United to break MLS transfer record for Ivorian striker Emmanuel Latte Lath

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated Jan 30, 2025 3:13 PM ET

Atlanta United's offseason began with a bang. Just a few short weeks after it eliminated Inter Miami from the MLS Cup playoffs, Atlanta announced it was hiring Chris Henderson, one of Miami's key executives, to lead its transfer business as Chief Soccer Officer.

"We promised that we were going to remake the club,” Atlanta United CEO Garth Lagerwey said when he brought Henderson on in December. “This is the first big one, and there’ll be more to come to make this better in 2025.”

With just one month remaining before MLS opening day, Lagerwey and Henderson have delivered upon that promise.

According to Give Me Sport, Atlanta is finalizing a $22 million deal to sign Ivorian striker Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough in the English Championship.

⚫️ BREAKING: Atlanta United are finalizing a new MLS league-record deal to sign Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough, per sources. Deal $22m + add-ons. Medical completed already. Just final steps now. w/ @jacobsben.bsky.social www.givemesport.com/atlanta-unit...

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— Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) January 30, 2025 at 7:06 AM

The deal shatters MLS's all-time transfer record, set last November when FC Cincinnati signed Togolese striker Kévin Denkey for $16.2 million.

Latte Lath is a well-established European striker. He attended the youth academy at Atalanta in Italy and spent seven years honing his craft in Serie A. In 2023, he transferred to Middlesbrough and scored 27 goals in his 58 appearances for the club.

Latte Lath is tied for third in the Championship's Golden Boot race this season with 11 goals to his name in 2024-25.

But Latte Lath isn't Atlanta's only big signing for 2025. The club brought Polish international Mateusz Klich in from D.C. United and orchestrated a masterful deal to bring Miguel Almiron, an Atlanta legend and former MLS Cup winner, back from Newcastle United.

They're the latest in numerous impressive signings from Lagerwey and Atlanta United. The club is now responsible for the majority of MLS's biggest-ever deals, with Thiago Almada ($16 million), Gonzalo "Pity" Martinez ($16 million) and Esequiel Barco ($15 million) all cracking the league's top five most expensive signings of all time.

It's a clear statement of intent from Lagerwey and Henderson, who, alongside owner Arthur Blank, are committed to turning Atlanta into the nation's premier soccer destination.

With Klich, Almiron and now Latte Lath on board for 2025, Atlanta looks to be one of the most-improved squads in MLS. It's expected to battle against the Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, the New York Red Bulls and its old foe Inter Miami for the top honors in the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta will kick off its 2025 season on Saturday, Feb. 22, at home against CF Montréal.

Alyssa Clang

Alyssa is a Boston-born Californian with a passion for global sport. She can yell about misplaced soccer passes in five languages and rattle off the turns of Silverstone in her sleep. You can find her dormant Twitter account at @alyssaclang, but honestly, you’re probably better off finding her here

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