Atlanta United today announced it has acquired midfielder Marcelino Moreno from Club Atletico Lanus of the Argentine Superliga for an undisclosed transfer fee. The 25-year-old midfielder will join the club as a Designated Player and occupy an international roster slot pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa, and completion of any mandatory quarantine period under local government and MLS health and safety protocol.
“We’re pleased to bring in a player of Marcelino’s caliber and look forward to welcoming him to the club,” said Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra. “He is a dynamic attacking midfielder who has proven to be a consistent performer in the Argentine Superliga. He has fantastic balance and change of direction ability and is a player who can create on his own or bring others into the game.”
Moreno joins from Lanus, from which Atlanta United also signed Miguel Almirón. Moreno has made 106 total appearances for the Argentine club, 85 of those coming in the Superliga. He made his professional debut in July 2016 in the Copa Argentina. His league debut came later that season on Aug. 28 against Boca Juniors.
Born in San Martin, Argentina, Moreno made 22 appearances in his debut season in 2016-17, recording two assists. Since then, he has gone on to make at least 20 appearances in each of his three league seasons at Lanus. He scored his first goal with the club March 31, 2019 in a 3-1 win over Belgrano. He added another goal later that season in a domestic cup. He is now coming off his most productive season with the club, scoring three goals and adding six assists in 20 Superliga matches during the 2019-20 season.
Moreno has also featured in the Copa Sudamericana and Copa Libertadores, making a combined 11 appearances. During the 2017 Copa Libertadores, Moreno made four appearances to help Lanus reach the final before ultimately falling to Brazilian giants Gremio.
Atlanta United (3-7-2, 11 points) returns to action Wednesday, Sept. 23 against FC Dallas (7:00 p.m., FOX Sports Southeast, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game, La Mejor).
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Damián Marcelino Moreno
Position: Midfielder
Birthdate: June 25, 1995 (age: 25)
Birthplace: San Martin, Argentina
Height: 5-6
Previous club: Club Lanus
Nationality: Argentina
Transaction: Atlanta United signs Marcelino Moreno from Club Atletico Lanus in Argentine Superliga for an undisclosed transfer fee on Sept. 21, 2020.
2020 Atlanta United roster (as of September 21, 2020)
Goalkeepers (3): Brad Guzan, Alec Kann, Brendan Moore
Defenders (10): George Bello, George Campbell, Edgar Castillo, Franco Escobar, Jon Gallagher, Brooks Lennon, Fernando Meza, Miles Robinson, Anton Walkes, Laurence Wyke.
Midfielders (12): Mo Adams, Ezequiel Barco, Andrew Carleton, Manuel Castro, Jürgen Damm, Emerson Hyndman, Jeff Larentowicz, Marcelino Moreno, Jake Mulraney, Eric Remedi, Matheus Rossetto, Tyler Wolff.
Forwards (5): Adam Jahn, Lagos Kunga, Josef Martinez^, Erick “Cubo” Torres, JJ Williams.
* - on loan with Phoenix Rising
* - on loan with Indy Eleven
** - on loan with Birmingham Legion FC
^ - on season-ending Injury List
