Atlanta United announced the signing of Portuguese defender Pedro Amador on a free transfer through the 2026 MLS season with an option for 2027 on July 1, 2024.
After joining during the secondary transfer window in July, Amador made an immediate impact and went on to start 15 of his 16 appearances in all competitions in 2024 and record eight assists. After making his Atlanta debut as a substitute against D.C. United in Leagues Cup, the left back started each of the team’s remaining 15 matches. He tallied his first MLS assist against Inter Miami CF on Sept. 18 and finished the regular season with four assists in the team’s final six matches. He then started all five of Atlanta’s MLS Cup Playoff matches and recorded an assist in four consecutive matches, which tied the most by an MLS player to start his playoff career. He capped off five consecutive matches with an assist from Decision Day to Game 3 of Atlanta’s Round One series against Inter Miami CF with an assist on the series-deciding goal in Atlanta’s 3-2 win on Nov. 9.
The 25-year-old left back joined Atlanta after making 114 professional appearances in Portugal’s first and second divisions with Moreirense and SC Braga, recording a total of two goals and nine assists across all competitions.
Amador began his youth career at Sporting CP in 2011 and later spent time in the youth systems at Portuguese clubs Sacavenense and Belenenses before joining 1° Dezembro in July of 2017. He transferred to SC Braga B in January of 2018 and made his professional debut in Portugal’s second division on March 31, 2018 against Varzim SC. He made seven appearances, all starts, during the 2017-18 season and 18 appearances in 2018-19, scoring his first goal on Jan. 19, 2019. He joined Braga’s First Team the following season and started seven of his nine appearances in the first division.
The defender transferred to Moreirense in August 2020 and went on to make 80 appearances in all competitions during four seasons with the club. During the 2023-24 season, Amador totaled career-highs in both appearances (21) and starts (14) in Portugal’s first division, recording one assist, as he helped Moreirense finish sixth in the league.
2024 (Atlanta United): Started 15 of his 16 appearances in all competitions and recorded eight assists, including five consecutive MLS regular season/playoff matches with an assist (Decision Day – Game 3 of Round One). MLS: Started all nine of his appearances in regular season play and recorded four assists. Made his MLS debut against LA Galaxy on Aug. 24. Tallied his first assist against Inter Miami CF on Sept. 18. Finished the regular season with four assists in the team’s final six matches. MLS Cup Playoffs: Started all five of the club’s matches and recorded four assists. Recorded one assist in each of the club’s first four playoff matches, which tied the MLS record for most consecutive playoff matches with an assist to start a player’s playoff career. Capped off five consecutive matches with an assist from Decision Day to Game 3 of Atlanta’s Round One series against Inter Miami CF with an assist on the series-deciding goal in Atlanta’s 3-2 win on Nov. 9.
Leagues Cup: Made two appearances, one start. Made his Atlanta United debut against D.C. United. Made his first start for the club against Santos Laguna.
