ATLANTA — Atlanta United today announced it has agreed to transfer Luiz Araújo to Flamengo of Brazil’s Série A, pending a physical and the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Araújo will stay with Atlanta through the club’s June 24 match against New York Red Bulls.
“We signed Luiz two years ago from the French champions and are sending him to the reigning Copa Libertadores champions,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said. “Ultimately, this was an opportunity that suits both parties well and gives us enough time to plan and evaluate as we’ll be actively seeking reinforcements in the Summer Transfer Window. We wish Luiz the best of luck at Flamengo and in his future endeavors.”
Atlanta signed Araújo via transfer from Lille OSC on Aug. 6, 2021. Over the last two years, the 26-year-old Brazilian has combined to make 56 appearances in MLS with 51 starts. He’s scored 11 goals and registered 12 assists. In his first season in MLS, he tallied four goals and four assists in 15 league appearances during the second half of the season. In 2022, he started 26 of his 28 MLS appearances, recording four goals and six assists. This season, Araújo has scored three goals with two assists in 13 appearances.
One of the most decorated clubs in Brazil, Flamengo won the 2022 Copa Libertadores and are currently in position to advance out of group stage and into the knockout rounds of the 2023 tournament. The club has won Libertadores three times, Série A seven times, Copa do Brazil four times (including in 2022) and the Campeonato Carioca a record 37 times. Araújo will officially join Flamengo once the Brazilian Transfer Window opens on July 3, 2023. Major League Soccer’s Secondary Transfer Window will run from July 5-Aug. 2.
Atlanta United (6-4-3, 21 points) returns to action when it travels to face Chicago Fire FC Saturday, May 20 at Soldier Field (8:30 p.m., MLS Season Pass, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor). All Atlanta United matches are available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, located on the Apple TV app.
2023 Atlanta United roster (as of May 18, 2023)
Goalkeepers (4): Clément Diop, Justin Garces^, Brad Guzan, Quentin Westberg
Defenders (10): Luis Abram, Noah Cobb, Andrew Gutman, Ronald Hernández, Brooks Lennon, Aiden McFadden, Efrain Morales^, Juanjo Purata, Miles Robinson, Caleb Wiley
Midfielders (11): Thiago Almada, Ozzie Alonso, Ezequiel Barco*, Derrick Etienne Jr., Ajani Fortune, Franco Ibarra, Marcelino Moreno**, Matheus Rossetto, Amar Sejdić, Santiago Sosa, Tyler Wolff
Forwards (8): Luiz Araújo^^, Miguel Berry, Erik Centeno^, Machop Chol, Jackson Conway****, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Erik López, Edwin Mosquera***
* On loan; will join River Plate permanently effective Jan. 1, 2024
** On loan to Coritiba FC through 2023 season
*** On loan to Defensa y Justicia through 2023 season
**** On loan to Phoenix Rising through 2023 season
^ On loan to ATL UTD 2 through 2023 season
^^ Transferred; will join Flamengo effective July 1, 2023
