Atlanta United completed the second signing of the summer transfer window with the acquisition of Jamal Thiare, recently of Le Havre in France’s second division.
Thiare, 30 years old, is expected to compete with Miguel Berry to back up Giorgos Giakoumakis. Thiare scored 30 goals in 129 appearances for Le Havre and helped the club earn promotion to Ligue 1 for the coming season with four goals and five assists in 24 appearances last season. He has scored 61 goals in 227 appearances as a pro. He is a tall player (6 feet) with the same physical characteristics as Giakoumakis and Berry. He joins on a free transfer.
Thiare, a native of Senegal, can’t practice with Atlanta United until he receives his visa. His contract will run through the 2024 season.
“Jamal’s profile is one that translates well to this league and will complement the group of players that we’ll have for the final stretch of the season,” Atlanta United Vice President Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement from the club. “He’s a veteran striker who has been a proven goal scorer throughout his career, and we’re looking forward to having him bolster our attack.”
Thiare joins midfielder Tristan Muyumba, who also played in Ligue 2, as signings made by the club during the summer window. Atlanta United is expected to make one more move, and reports have tied the team to winger Saba Lobzhanidze, a Georgian who plays in Turkey for Hatayspor. If the team can complete the transfer of Marcelino Moreno, it may be able to add a fourth signing during this window.
Vice President Carlos Bocanegra said before the window opened that the team would make three signings. The team (9-7-8) is in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 10 matches remaining. Its next match will be at Seattle on Aug. 20. The top nine teams will advance to the postseason. Atlanta United’s goal is to finish within the top four.
The team needed another striker. Giakoumakis leads Atlanta United with 10 goals. His physical style of play has resulted in him missing several matches. Berry has one goal, coming from nine shots, three on goal, in 22 appearances.
For more content about Atlanta United
Follow me on Twitter @DougRobersonAJC
On Facebook at Atlanta United News Now
On Instagram at DouglasDavidRoberson
Atlanta United coverage on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Southern Fried Soccer podcast can be found
Apple - https://apple.co/3ISD6Ve
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3L8TN0C
Google podcasts - https://bit.ly/32KlZW3
If you are listening to us for the first time, please follow us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcast ... and if you like what you hear, please give us a good rating so we can grow the show. If you have questions about the MLS team, you can email Doug Roberson at droberson@ajc.com, DM him on Twitter @dougrobersonajc or call 404-526-2527.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a special offer for Atlanta United supporters and listeners to this podcast. If you subscribe today, you will not only get unlimited digital access to the AJC and the Sunday paper for $2.30 a week but we are also throwing in a special limited-edition Atlanta United and Atlanta Journal-Constitution scarf. So sign up now at subscribe.ajc.com/utdscarf.
Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule
Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1
March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1
March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0
March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1
March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1
April 1 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0
April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1
April 15 Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2
April 23 Atlanta United 2, Chicago 1
April 29 Nashville SC 3, Atlanta United 1
May 6 Inter Miami CF 2, Atlanta United 1
May 13 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 1
May 17 Atlanta United 4, Colorado 0
May 20 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 3
May 27 Atlanta United 1, Orlando 1
May 31 Atlanta United 3, New England 3
June 7 Atlanta United 0, LAFC 0
June 10 Atlanta United 3, D.C. United 1
June 21 Atlanta United 2, New York City 2
June 24 New York Red Bulls 4, Atlanta United 0
July 2 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 0
July 8 Atlanta United 1, Montreal 0
July 12 New England 2, Atlanta United 1
July 15 Orlando City 2, Atlanta United 1
July 25 Miami 4, Atlanta United 0 in Leagues Cup
July 29 Cruz Azul 1 (5), Atlanta United (4) 1 in Leagues Cup
Aug. 20 at Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 26 vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2 at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 at FC Cincinnati, TBA
About the Author
