Atlanta United’s search for a center-back has finally come to an end after the signing of Alan Franco from Independiente.
With Fernando Meza departing on loan to Defensa y Justicia, it was vital Gabriel Heinze bolstered his defence with another addition. But the Five Stripes had already missed out on two previous targets, with Hector David Martinez choosing to go on loan to River Plate from Defensa y Justicia and Lautaro Giannetti failing a medical after a fee had been agreed.
For a while, it looked like Atlanta would also miss out on Franco, with Independiente playing hardball over finances and Sao Paulo seemingly stealing in at the last second.