Josef Martinez, Giorgos Giakoumakis and now Emmanuel Latte Lath.
Atlanta United confirmed the acquisition of Latte Lath as a designated player Tuesday. He becomes the third striker to join as a DP since the franchise’s first season in 2017.
If Latte Lath can come close to matching Martinez’s 111 goals in 158 appearances, or even Giakoumakis’ 24 in 43 starts, he will pay back the MLS-record $22 million Atlanta United paid to acquire him from Middlesbrough in England’s Championship. His contract is through 2028 with an option for 2029.
“He’s a forward with excellent pace and good goal-scoring instincts. His ability to stretch the field will add another dimension to our attack,” Atlanta United Sports Director Chris Henderson said in a statement from the club.
Latte Lath, 26 years old, joins Miguel Almiron and Alexey Miranchuk as Atlanta United’s third and final DP. Its season begins against Montreal on Feb. 22 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta United President Garth Lagerwey and Henderson are retooling a lineup that may look much different against Montreal than it did in its season-ending playoff loss at Orlando three months ago.
In addition to Latte Lath and Almiron, it may include midfielder Mateusz Klich, a former DP acquired in a trade with D.C. United.
The team is being built to add speed on the wings to give Miranchuk options for through balls. It’s a formula that worked well for the team in the playoffs when it upset Inter Miami before losing to Orlando in the Eastern Conference semifinals. That team featured Jamal Thiare at striker and Saba Lobjanidze, Edwin Mosquera or Xande Silva on the wings. All can stretch defenses. All remain on the team.
The speed up top is a similar approach to the 2017 and ‘18 teams that featured Almiron as the attacking midfielder looking for Martinez and Hector Villalba in spaces behind defenders. That team scored 70 goals in each season and won MLS Cup in 2018.
Latte Lath’s speed has enabled him to score 29 goals in 67 appearances for Middlesbrough, including 11 goals this season. Almiron likely will play on the right wing, with Lobjanidze moving from right to left wing. Miranchuk, Klich, Jay Fortune, Tristan Muyumba and Bartosz Slisz will work in the midfield.
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Atlanta United’s 2025 schedule
Feb. 22 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m., Apple
March 1 at Charlotte, 2 p.m., Apple, Fox
March 8 vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m., Apple
March 16 vs. Miami, 7 p.m., Apple
March 22 at Cincinnati, 2:30 p.m., Apple
March 29 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m., Apple
April 5 vs. Dallas, 7:30 p.m., Apple
April 12 vs. New England, 2:30 p.m., Apple, Fox
April 19 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m., Apple
April 26 at Orlando, 7 p.m., Apple, Fox
May 3 vs. Nashville, 2:30 p.m., Apple, Fox
May 10 at Chicago, 2:30 p.m., Apple
May 14 at Austin, 8:30 p.m., Apple
May 17 vs. Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m., Apple
May 25 vs. Cincinnati, 7 p.m., Apple
May 28 vs. Orlando, 7:30 p.m., Apple
May 31 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m., Apple
June 12 at NYCFC, 7:30 p.m., Apple
June 25 at Columbus, 7:30 p.m., Apple
June 28 at Miami, 7:30 p.m., Apple
July 5 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m., Apple
July 12 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m., Apple
July 16 vs. Chicago, 7:30 p.m., Apple, FS1
July 19 vs. Charlotte, 7:30 p.m., Apple
July 26 vs. Seattle, 7:30 p.m., Apple
Aug. 9 at Montreal, 7:30 p.m., Apple
Aug. 16 at Colorado, 9:30 p.m., Apple
Aug. 24 vs. Toronto, 5 p.m., Apple
Aug. 30 at Nashville, 8:30 p.m. Apple
Sept. 13 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m., Apple
Sept. 20 vs. San Diego, 4:30 p.m., Apple
Sept. 27 at New England, 7:30 p.m., Apple
Oct. 5 at LAFC, 10:30 p.m., Apple
Oct. 18 vs. D.C. United, 6 p.m., Apple
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