Breel Embolo is officially a Five Stripe, after Atlanta United announced the Swiss international striker on Sunday as their newest Designated Player through the 2029-30 season. The signing wraps up weeks of typical transfer season drama that saw Embolo the target of multiple clubs, including what looked like a potential hijack by Ipswich Town, but two days ago it finally appeared everything about the move to Atlanta was finished except the actual announcement.
Embolo, born in Cameroon before moving to Switzerland by way of France, is coming off a World Cup that saw him snag two goals and two assists in six matches. In France’s Ligue 1, he tallied eight goals and three assists in 31 matches for Rennes during the 2025-26 season.
Atlanta has clearly been eyeing a new DP forward for some time, as the loan of Latte Lath to Union Berlin was certainly not a last minute decision. The lack of a true finisher up front for the Five Stripes has been a plague for years and, despite this week of success, has heavily contributed to Atlanta’s descent to near the bottom of the table. All eyes will be on Embolo to step in and help turn this season around, but more importantly, to help continue to set the foundation for a successful sprint season and beyond in 2027.
“We’re pleased to bring a player with Breel’s combination of talent and experience at the highest levels of world soccer to Atlanta United,” Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson said. “At age 29, he’s coming off a strong performance at the World Cup with Switzerland and has a proven track record of goal contributions in multiple top European leagues. His goal-scoring, ability to link with other players in the attack and tireless work rate are qualities that will strengthen our team from the center forward position.”
The move comes just prior to Atlanta United returning home to Mercedes-Benz Stadium Sunday night to take on a similarly struggling Sporting Kansas City, in a match that could see them jump to just three points below the playoff line.
Welcome to Atlanta, Breel!
I remain cautiously optimistic. I need to see on-field work rate and production before making any conclusions. He still make take the rest of the season to come into form too, not all acquisitions come in and make an immediate impact or even a lasting one. Give it time, time we don’t have, but time has to be given.
Glad the rumors turned out untrue or he changed his mind. IMHO this is a decent signing. Now we need a 10…
I’m glad he is not Lukaku, but I don’t have a strong opinion of him as a player. Maybe someone who was decent in Ligue 1 will be great in MLS. I don’t know if anyone thinks MLS is a better league than Ligue 1.
Will it work? Who knows?
Been burned WAY too many times to trust this FO and without service no striker can truly be successful.
We shall see…
I just assume he is another player that will crash and burn here in Atlanta, so I feel less bad when it comes true. Protect myself from another pain of another bad striker
Not entirely convinced on him yet but hopefully he is an asset for us.
What are the chances he is in the line up today? He should already have a visa and I think I saw that he is already in Atlanta.
Different type of visa. Visitor vs. work visa.
Deep breaths everyone. Deep, deeeeeeeep breaths. We have a striker, a finisher, but we still suck. Could we make a push for the playoffs? Maybe. Should we get our hopes up again? Yes. Will we? Hopefully not. I am excited but man I really despise hope. Regardless, WELCOME TO THE A EMBOLO!!!
Agreed with everything you said. We desperately need someone who can put defenses on notice, even if the supporting cast is not the best. It would help alleviate some of the pressure on our heretofore very shaky defense.