Atlanta United centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez has been sold to Tijuana, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Atlanta United declined to comment. Neither team has announced the acquisition of the player and the transfer fee is not known.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last week that the sale of Gonzalez Pirez to Tijuana was 90 percent done.
A photo of Gonzalez Pirez wearing Tijuana practice gear was recently posted on social media by a Mexican journalist.
Gonzalez Pirez, 27, was one of the better centerbacks in MLS the past three seasons, twice finishing in top five in Defender of the Year voting.
Atlanta United’s front office has yet to say why it decided to sell Gonzalez Pirez. He had a guaranteed salary of $810,008 in 2019, making him one of the higher-paid centerbacks in MLS.
The Argentine made 95 appearances, all starts, for the Five Stripes. During his time, the club won three major trophies: the MLS Cup in 2018 and the U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup in 2019.
His ability to split defensive lines with passes to start counter-attacks, or his ability to dribble the ball up the field and become engaged with the offense, made a him good fit for team’s first manager, Gerardo Martino, and then its second manager, Frank de Boer. He finished with three goals and six assists.
A knock against Gonzalez Pirez was his aggressiveness, which resulted in him accumulating 29 yellow cards in three seasons.
Still, he played well enough that he was reportedly pursued by Boca Juniors.
He got into trouble with Atlanta United in 2019 during All-Star Week in Orlando when he was quoted as being critical of de Boer and his preferred playing style, saying, "things have changed a lot, the way the club has played the game and we don't like it."
Gonzalez Pirez clarified those statements the next day by saying he answered a question about the differences in de Boer and Martino early in the season. Gonzalez Pirez said he had no problems with de Boer: "Yesterday I read the interviews," he said. "It looks like I'm unhappy. It's not like that. Things are changing. This is true. We are different, but we are trying to do our best. I don't have a problem with anybody."
He continued to start for the team.
Gonzalez Pirez worked hard to become accustomed to the U.S. and Atlanta, learning English and being confident enough to speak it during most of his postgame interviews. Some of the team's supporters appreciated the photos he would post on social media of his daughter, born in the U.S., his dogs and his love of barbecuing for his teammates. He became active with the MLS Players Association, one of many who are working on the new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the league.
The sale leaves Atlanta United with a gap in its back five, or four, depending upon de Boer’s choice of formation. The other centerbacks on the roster are Miles Robinson, Franco Escobar and George Campbell, who will be a rookie. Jeff Larentowicz can also play centerback.
The team will open training camp Jan. 11. It will play its first game in the Champions League on Feb. 18.
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