Giorgos Giakoumakis is officially on the way to Cruz Azul, Atlanta United announced on Sunday. After a few weeks of reports, purported fees of around $10 million (though the actual number is undisclosed), and images of GG in Mexico, an agreement has finally been reached that benefits all parties. The Greek international is apparently getting the pay he wants, Atlanta United is likely receiving a massive return on their investment, and Cruz Azul is locking down a top-class striker.
From the club: “We’re grateful for Giorgos’ contributions during his time at the club and we wish him the best moving forward,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said. “This transfer illustrates the nature of operating in a global marketplace. With a lot of season left to play, we plan to strengthen the group during the upcoming Summer Transfer Window.”
Since Giorgos Giakoumakis first arrived to Atlanta United in early 2023, he invited the pressure of wearing the illustrious number 7 – the number previously worn by club legend Josef Martinez. He told fans and media that everyone would “learn his name” as he oozed confidence and the desire to score goals. He then went on to net 19 total in 2023 and won MLS Newcomer of the Year before finally taking his first real hiatus playing soccer in almost two years.
That extended playing time while with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership and UEFA Champions League will take a heavy toll on anyone, not to mention the multitude of international call-ups for Greece and the accompanying travel he endured. Giakoumakis had a lingering hamstring issue throughout his time with Atlanta, and though he started off 2024 on fire, he’d already missed significant time this campaign. With the Cruz Azul offer along with an ill-timed poor run of form for Atlanta United – not to mention the firing of head coach Gonzalo Pineda – the transfer to Mexico may be exactly what benefits everyone. Giakoumakis gets paid, as he was already trying to renegotiate his contract with Atlanta, and the club opens up a valuable DP spot with which they have to strike gold.
Best of luck to Giorgos Giakoumakis going forward…at least until the day when Atlanta United faces off against Cruz Azul again.
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[…] The move frees up another valuable Designated Player spot, in addition to the one left by the earlier transfer of Giorgos Giakoumakis. […]
I met Giorgos at our Greek Orthodox Church in Marietta, September ‘23 and chatted with him for about 10 mins. I asked him how he liked it over here vs Northern Europe given his stints in Netherlands and Scotland and he told me how happy he and his family were here in ATL area, how warm everyone is, how he was welcomed etc. he was pretty clear to me that he was not missing his Europe days. We obviously chatted in Greek so I could tell and feel that he was 100% genuine in what he said. I am starting to realize however that it seems that every 18 months or so Giorgos changes teams. Whether it is the coach, the fact he may not be starting (Celtic) or who knows whatever reason here in ATL (could very well be many many more $). He knows what is best for him, I am not sure going from MLS to MX after coming from Europe is the correct career move, but he knows what is right for him. Just because the team is not doing great now, does not mean it will be same 1 yr from now. I am not sure he is patient to find out. Also not sure from a safety standpoint I would choose MX (Alan Pulido kidnapping). Anyway. I wish him the best. I hope I am wrong but I can’t see him there more than 2 yrs. He had a good thing going here but chose to leave it. All the best Giorgos.
I’m sure he’s as aware of his tendancy to get injured same as we are. Being a professional athlete is a short career. He just got married. He had the chance to lock in a 4 year contract and a higher dollar amount that will set him and his family up to live comfortably for the long term. I find it very hard to argue that that’s not the right move for him.
Once he realizes in 12 months that his 4.5M is in pesos, he will be looking to make another move.
It makes me feel better that we got Girgos’s services for 4 million and made a 6 million profit. Not only that, but if we got him for less than half of the amount we sold him… I think we could get some pretty good players!
Let’s hope the plan to replace him is used wisely. Would like to see the club go big with a signing that would make a difference regardless of the coach and system. If that does not happen, then hold the DP slot and wait until there is a coach in place.
i would be fine with a short term loan or signing this summer and then signing the DP after the season, unless the team has identified someone specifically
I can understand this, though it hurts. Just like with the Josef move, I will be ok with this if we replace him well.
We have a chunk of change and a good analytics department, we *better* get this signing right, it will define our next 2 years at least.
I truly wish GG the best with Cruz Azul, except if we happen to play them again while he’s there. I got to meet him once very briefly and he seemed like a genuinely good guy who liked to engage with our fans. You’re on the clock now, analytics department.
This club has now been bad a lot longer than we were good. Good for GG pulling his ripcord out of here. Godspeed.
let’s see if the team will get to see any of that $10 mil get used for another DP