UPDATE, 10 a.m. ET: Atlanta United have officially announced the trade of Saba Lobjanidze to Real Salt Lake for $625,000 in GAM and an extra $100,000 in 2027 GAM if Lobjanidze re-signs with RSL. Atlanta will also send its third-round draft pick in 2028 to RSL as part of the trade.
The first major move of the Atlanta United summer 2026 transfer window looks to be imminent.
According to Tom Bogert, Saba Lobjanidze will be traded to Real Salt Lake for $625,000 in GAM, plus a possibility of an extra $100,000 if certain incentives are met. Although Lobjanidze will be an RSL player, Atlanta will keep part of his budget charge.
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This comes amid reports from ESPN Brazil that Atlanta are keen to make a bid for Boca Juniors winger and former FC Dallas man Alan Velasco. Velasco would be a true like-for-like replacement for the 31-year-old Georgia international, whether via loan or a straight transfer.
Lobjanidze, who was brought in under Garth Lagerwey’s prime-aged players initiative, scored 3g/5a in nine matches after arriving at the club in 2023. He registered an impressive 9g/7a stat line in 2024, adding a goal during Atlanta’s playoff run. He never found that form again with the club, scoring seven assists in 2025 while sitting on 2g/1a in 13 appearances in 2026.
All the best to Lobjanidze at RSL. Atlanta United’s first offseason under Mauricio Culebro is now well and truly underway.
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Good thing we already played RSL.
Also, nice job finding a pic with Saba and GOATman.
Well this is definitely shaping into Tata’s team, so excuses and platitudes won’t cut it
While the move makes sense, Saba was one of the few that gave all out effort each time (if not always productive effort). Will miss him.
I have to trust the process, but yeah this one hurts a bit only because he was one of the more consistent “you know what you’re going to get” players we had and one of the few attacking threats we have right now. You can see where his numbers were high…when there was a solid attacking 3 in front with a supporting attacking 10…we haven’t had that since 2024.
I will miss Saba time.
As much as we all loved him, it was beyond time.
so is the $625K GAM all this year or is it spread between a few seasons? also, curious is the additional $100K is actually reachable or if it is just some unrealistic number.
I imagine it will be broken up between a couple of seasons, but weโll have to wait for the official release to see how exactly.
As for the $100K, itโll be if he hits a specific G/A number, but what those are donโt usually get publicized.