Atlanta United acquired midfielder Mateusz Klich in a trade with D.C. United on Friday.
Klich, 34, is a Polish international with more than 400 professional appearances, including 63 appearances with six goals and 22 assists for D.C. United. He can play either as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder.
Atlanta United sent its first-round pick, the 23rd, in Friday’s MLS draft for Klich. His current contract is through 2025. D.C. United will retain Klich’s Designated Player tag and pay a majority of his salary. He had guaranteed compensation of $2,093,588 last season, according to the Major League Soccer Players Association salary database. If Atlanta United signs him to a new contract after 2025, D.C. United would receive $50,000 in General Allocation Money in 2026.
The trade is the first personnel move executed by new Sporting Director Chris Henderson.
“Mateusz is a central midfielder with proven quality both in this league and at the highest levels in Europe,” Henderson said in a statement from Atlanta United. “He’s a good chance creator, while also being able to dictate the tempo of a game from the middle of the pitch. We believe his qualities and leadership will be a good addition to our midfield.”
Henderson said Tuesday that he wants to build depth for Atlanta United to compete across multiple tournaments.
Klich is the second Polish player on Atlanta United, along with midfielder Bartosz Slisz.
Klich’s past clubs include Leeds United, Twente, Wolfsburg, among others. He has 41 appearances for Poland.
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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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