As reported by Tiago Brandão and confirmed by Tom Bogert, Atlanta United has acquired Brazilian forward Leo Afonso and $225,000 in General Allocation Money from Inter Miami CF for a 2025 international player roster spot.
This move reunites CSO Chris Henderson with Afonso, whom he drafted in the second round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft from the University of Virginia. Born in São Paolo, Afonso worked his way through the Boca United, Philadelphia Union, and Inter Miami academies before joining the University of Virginia Cavaliers alongside Atlanta United Academy products Daniel Mangarov, Asparuh Slavov, and Brendan Lambe. He was an immediate impact player for UVA, ranking near the top of goals and assists created in the Atlantic Coast Conference in his first year before battling injuries in his senior campaign.
Since joining Inter Miami, Afonso has only played 330 minutes across one and a half seasons, with just two starts. The 24-year-old can play center forward and on both wings, but has appeared mostly on the left side of Inter Miami’s attacking trio.
If nothing changes with his current contract, Afonso will not count against Atlanta United’s salary cap as a Supplemental Roster player and will have a contract option at the end of this season, with additional options running through 2027.
This is a low-risk signing that adds attacking depth to help cover for Luke Brennan’s potential call-up to the U-20 World Cup in September, adds a high-character player to the first team locker room and the 2s, and gives a player that Henderson believes in a chance for a fresh start on a new team undergoing a lot of change.
Wrong “Leo”.
Surprised the headline didn’t just say we signed Leo from miami
Where’s the Eales social post when you need it?
Pretty solid get. Let’s see how he settles in but this looks like a good move for a promising winger. .
We got the player AND $225k in GAM for a pin international slot?
That is what is being reported so far. Miami had 14 players on international slots when MLS released its roster profiles in May, and they are currently trying to add their new prestige midfield signing.
[…] Report: Atlanta United Acquires Leo Afonso From Inter Miami […]