Atlanta United announced today it has acquired midfielder Yamil Asad on a season-long loan as a Discovery Signing. Asad joins the club from Vélez Sarsfield of the Argentina Primera Division.
“We’re thrilled to add another exciting young player to our club,” Atlanta United President Darren Eales said. “He’s an attack-minded player with a very high ceiling, and we’re confident in his ability to showcase his quality in MLS.”
Asad, 22, has been with Vélez for his entire professional and youth career. The son of former Argentine international Omar Asad, Yamil has made 55 career appearances and scored four goals for Vélez. The right-footed attacking midfielder has been a key fixture for Vélez since making his debut in 2012. His most successful season came during the 2015 campaign, where he made 24 appearances, started 17 games, scored four goals and added two assists.
“I’ve always thought highly of Yamil’s ability and am very happy he’s joined our club,” head coach Gerardo Martino said. “He gives us more quality in our attack and I’m very confident he can make a smooth transition to MLS.”
Since his breakthrough campaign in 2015, Asad’s playing time has varied due to injury. During the shortened 2016 Argentine Primera Division season, Asad made nine appearances, started eight games and had four assists. So far during the 2016-17 season, Asad has made two appearances with one start.
The MLS offseason will continue this week, as the top college prospects take part in the MLS combine, ahead of the SuperDraft on Friday. Atlanta United holds the No. 2 and No. 8 selections in the draft, which is slated to start at 3 p.m. EST at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Overall, Atlanta holds four selections in the four-round drafting, having traded it’s second round pick to Colorado. Rounds 3 and 4 of the SuperDraft will take place via conference call on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
