Days after signing veteran goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos to the club on a free transfer, Atlanta United could be close to bringing in a youngster from Liga MX into the fold.
According to Tom Bogert, Atlanta is “finalizing a deal” to sign 21-year-old Tomás Jacob from Necaxa on a near-$5 million transfer fee. Jacob made 17 appearances for Necaxa across all competitions in 2025, totaling 1,337 minutes. Per Bogert, Jacob would be a U22 Initiative signing.
Jacob, a native of Argentina, was a member of the Newell’s Old Boys academy. He made his professional debut for them on October 31, 2021, and totaled 50 appearances across all competitions. In July, he was transferred to Necaxa, on a five-year deal.
According to Transfermarket, nine of Jacob’s appearances with Necaxa have been at center back, with four at defensive midfielder and two at right back. With Newell’s, he primarily was a CB (20 appearances) and RB (14 appearances). Atlanta is in desperate need of a quality starter at RB, so Jacob could be a solution for that while being versatile enough to fill in at CB if needed.
Either way, it’s another Tata Martino-influenced move as he and Chris Henderson work to reshape the Five Stripes roster.
Be sure to bookmark our Atlanta United transfer tracker for the latest transfer news and rumors as they come in.
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[…] Atlanta United nearing deal for Necaxa’s Tomás Jacob, per report […]
What I love about this and the keeper signing is that they indicate that Tata is directing the show now. We know Tata is a great coach. Let’s give him every opportunity to succeed again. If things don’t pan out (although I believe they will), we won’t have to second guess why or who’s responsible. I do think he may need a year to complete the roster rebuild, but I expect he’ll get a lot more out of the holdovers from last year than Deila ever could.
I may be wrong, but this feels like we’re overpaying especially since it will take up another international slot
At U22, he would get charged at the full rate salary cap wise.
True, but mainly pointing out that we’re paying twice what they did in July.
Very rarely would you pay less then their previous transfer, especially when they are young. Also, it just seems like Liga MX always asks for more money.
Maybe I’m misunderstanding the comment, but I thought as a U-22 player, only $200K would hit the salary cap. If it is only $200K (even with the transfer fee), then it could be a good signing.
You’re right Allen.
I looked up the rules to refresh myself. As a U-22, he can be paid up to max budget charge before needing TAM (~$750k, think Lennon levels), but will only carry $200k budget charge, and the transfer fee does not impact the budget charge as well.
Other interesting related tidbits, at least based on the roster rules posted which I think is for last year:
We’re allowed 3 u22 players. If we have only 2 designated players, we’re allowed 4 u22 and get an extra $2m in GAM.
A really good homegrown can be paid essentially low TAM level salaries and only count $200k if they’re converted to u22
Young designated players (like Almada) only count $200k on the salary budget charge, not the ~$750k other dp’s do.
Young centerback, developed at a decent foreign clubs academy, with RB abilities. Giving me some ‘17 Walkes vibes.
It looks like most of his time was at CM, based on transfer market. But either way, multipositional flexibility is always nice.
Strange they list him as a CM.
Newells
RB 20
CB 14
DM 6
Nexaca
RB 2
CB 9
DM 4
Either way, he seems to have the ability to give Tata some options, flexibility as you said. Reminds me of what he did with Anton when he was here in 17
Also, at least he has played regularly with Necaxa. Unlike, our new goalie transfer. Looks like Jacob was the starting RCB against us when we played them in League Cup this year. He played the full 90′ as well.
DM, CB and RB/RM in recent years. Feels very much like a flexible player who can fill in as needed.
[…] Atlanta United nearing deal for Necaxa’s Tomás Jacob, per report […]
So, a couple of rumors here and there over the past couple weeks, but as of today, likely 1st team contributors, are:
Tomás Jacob – defender
Lucas Hoyos – GK
Enzo Dovlo – winger / midfielder
Santi Pita – attacking mid
(maybe he continues with the 2s?)
Rumors I had interest in, seem to have chilled on Baez, and Alonso?
I don’t like to play money ball and don’t know what our salary cap looks like, but I’m guessing any big incoming transfer would most likely have to come in conjunction with a move or transfer of a current player, a la Miranchuk, Saba, Lath (doubtful), slisz, or Gregerson?
Currently, it seems like the priority is to fix the defense which I am all for. Keep ‘em coming Tata.