Per journalist Jorge Chipi Vera, Atlanta United is close to signing Paraguayan international center back Júnior Alonso from Brazilian side Club Atlético Mineiro.
Alonso, 32, made 58 starts for Mineiro across all competitions in 2025, including 13 in the Copa Sudamericana, where he helped the club reach the final. Before arriving at Mineiro, Alonso also had stops at Boca Juniors, Celta de Vigo, and Lille. He also played at Cerro Porteño from 2013 to 2016, where he played alongside Miguel Almirón.
Of course, that isn’t the only team place where they shared the field. The pair are teammates for La Albirroja, which they helped qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010. Alonso has 68 caps for the Paraguay National Team, including time at the 2019 and 2021 editions of Copa America.
Though primarily a center back, Alonso is also capable of playing as a left back. His game is characterized by excellent tackling and a strong aerial presence. He is good on the ball, capable of playing accurate long balls and pinpoint crosses. He is also a good penalty kick taker.
If this transfer occurs, it would be the first addition of the second Tata Martino Era at Atlanta United, which ushers in a return to South American recruitment to try and build a competitive team around Miguel Almirón.
What do you think of this potential signing? Let us know in the comments below.
[…] RUMOR: Atlanta United close to signing Paraguayan defender Junior Alonso […]
[…] strategy to one that proved successful from 2017 to 2019. It has also been linked to Paraguayan CB Junior Alonso from Brazilian top-flight side Atlético Mineiro and goalkeeper Guido Herrera from […]
Well, if nothing else, he and Almiron will be able to have private conversations while surrounded by teammates.
That said, on the surface getting a guy who gets regular caps for his national team, which qualified for the WC, seems like a good thing.
I was expecting a post in the subject but it’s not up yet. So if you don’t have Roberson from the AJC in your news feed, AU announced today that Garth Lagerway will not rejoin the organization from his second cancer-related leave of absence. AU are in the process of making a short list of people who might replace him.
Yeah I was wondering about that too. It’s not even on official media yet, just AJC and FSF.
I can’t decide how I feel about it. On one hand he hasn’t done particularly well, and if his loa is going to be extended we really need someone to man the (sinking) ship, but on the other hand I still had high hopes about him turning the ship around, and I’m worried how this might affect things with Chris Henderson and Tata.
Also, I hope regardless we’re still handling paying everything for his cancer treatment. I’d guess as an executive he’s not as worried about health insurance as us normal people, but still.
All valid questions. But when I hear a man “won’t be returning from his second cancer related LOA,” I kind of assume we should think more about him and his family than his old job description.
Definitely fair. That was part of what I meant by paying for the cancer treatment: I hope we’re not leaving him to handle the cancer alone, but that we’re taking care of him as best as possible so he can beat it without having to worry about anything else.
Admittedly, it hadn’t crossed my mind that there was also the possibility that cancer treatments might not be going well. I hope that is not the case.
There’s no way Arthur Blank is cutting a guy loose to deal with cancer alone. The man has his flaws as an owner but I can’t imagine him doing anything like that.
Guessing since Gregerson & Mihaj are both right footed and Berrocal is more left footed (technically both), they’re looking for more left footed depth. (Berrocal’s loan technically ends mid season too).
Our CB depth is pretty slim if you think about it so this isn’t a bad signing. Technically our midfield is filled, unless you start moving/selling people but getting your CB’s then your fullbacks setup is a good first move.
Pretty sure when Mihaj was originally brought over, he was said to be pretty capable with his left foot as well. And Alonso is also capable of playing LB, so that should help a little bit with depth there was well.
Highlight reel looks nice. His defensive stats on FotMob are better than Gregerson, Berrocal and Mihaj, but lower than Gregerson and Berrocal on FBref.com.
yes please yes. would immediately become the best cb we’ve had in at least a year or two.
Interesting. Knows Almiron pretty well and can play left back if needed, experience in Europe and can stay healthy.
I trust that the coach is putting in his opinion, and so I’m onboard. Despite his age and not being a position I’m anxious to upgrade – I’m happy to hear we are already making noise.
He gets regular playing time with the national team as well, so he is definitely a good add. Hopefully his transfer fee isn’t too high.
Yeah, I hope it’s not either, also interested in seeing who gets moved out. Consensus is Gregerson, he probably has value and a chance to help another team.
Looking forward to more rumors like this. (Goalie rumor was an interring one as well)
I don’t think Atlanta is in a situation where we can just cut loose CB depth, even if we have homegrown coming in
I’d be all for that as long as we still have room to bring in at least 2 more midfielders, 2 full backs, 2 wingers 2 goalkeepers and at least 1 more striker.
Looks like it could be a good signing – 6’1″ and apparently durable (58 matches in 2025 is good). Transfermarkt puts value at 3 million euros, so TAM money?.
There was also rumor about a goalie from Argentina as well, but considering he is 36 years old, I would think he is more of a veteran back up signing. Though that seems like a waste of an international slot.