Updated on February 21, 2026: Several outlets/journalists/radio stations, including those listed below and Maximiliano Grillo, are reporting again that Matías Galarza will be coming to Atlanta United on a loan with purchase option (if he plays 50% of the games).
ORIGINAL REPORT
Atlanta United still has several spots to fill on its roster with less than a week and a half to go.
According to reports out of South America, an option has emerged in the person of a Paraguay international who is hoping to play himself on to the World Cup roster. Per Germán Balcarce of DSports Radio 103.1 FM in Buenos Aires, Atlanta, along with the Colorado Rapids, are keen to sign 24-year-old River Plate man Matías Galarza Fonda.
Germán García Grova on Thursday evening confirmed that Atlanta had “opened talks” with River. on a loan deal with an option to buy.
Galarza started his academy career with Olimpia in 2015 before signing for Vasco de Gama in 2021 after a loan to the Brazilian outfit. He remained with Vasco through 2025, with loan stints with Coritiba in 2022 and Talleres in 2023. He eventually signed a permanent deal with Talleres and played 13 matches for them before moving to River Plate in July. That said, he has yet to make an appearance this season for the club.
That’s apparently reportedly put him in the sights of both Atlanta and Colorado. According to Radio Gol, the Rapids actually made a “formal offer” for Galarza’s services, only to be rejected by River.
On the international level, Galarza played a hand in Paraguay’s qualification for the World Cup and has been a consistent presence in Gustavo Alfaro’s lineup more recently. In Atlanta, he’ll have the benefit of playing with La Albirroja teammate Miguel Almiron while getting minutes in the lead up to this summer. From a tactical standpoint, he’s been deployed all throughout the midfield as an 8, 6, or 10, and even (sparingly) on either wing.
What do you think of the possible move? Let us know in the comments.
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[…] now, at least, as reports from Argentina suggest that the club is keen to sign River Plate’s Matías Galarza Fonda, who’s played as a 6, an 8, and even a 10. Another U22 signing, Elías Báez, will play at […]
He looks amazing, natural left footer too.
this should bring more fire out of Luke Brenan for LW and more competitiveness closer to his level in practice to make him better and more reliable on the pitch
This would be a solid get…major grit and work rate, box to box and sideline to sideline. Ideal when pressing D, serviceable as a 6 in a pinch, where maybe Alzate and/or Muyumba are getting the calls unless we can score something big. For the $, Galarza Fonda is a no brainer imo and would make a strong contribution.
Agreed. Guessing he would be the Slisz replacement playing the 6…?
Feel like our CM is pretty crowded at the moment so while he looks good on paper, not sure it’s needed in the current roster format. Of course, that can all change if/when more people get shifted around or moved on from, but still feel like we need to fill gaps before paving more road.
how about a CB or a FB?
Versatile, but we need a real 6