Atlanta United acquires Remedi

Eric Remedi of Banfield heads the ball against Guillermo Fernández of Godoy Cruz during a match between Banfield and Godoy Cruz as part of Argentina Superliga 2017/18 at Florencio Sola Stadium on April 21, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Credit: Marcelo Endelli

Credit: Marcelo Endelli

Eric Remedi of Banfield heads the ball against Guillermo Fernández of Godoy Cruz during a match between Banfield and Godoy Cruz as part of Argentina Superliga 2017/18 at Florencio Sola Stadium on April 21, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Atlanta United has signed Argentinian midfielder Eric Remedi in a move made following the loss of Darlington Nagbe.

Remedi won’t be eligible to play for the Five Stripes until the transfer window opens on July 10. Financial terms of the multi-year deal weren’t disclosed. Remedi was acquired with Targeted Allocation Money pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.

Remedi, 23, played for Banfield in Argentina since 2015. He can play as a central midfielder or centerback. He likely wouldn't be considered a like-for-like replacement for the injured Nagbe.

Atlanta United has been pursuing a central midfielder since January when it sold Carlos Carmona to Colo-Colo in Chile.

Remedi’s first game could be July 15 versus Seattle.

Remedi, right-footed and 5-feet-5, seems to fit the mold of players that Atlanta United has pursued in South America to great success such as Miguel Almiron, Franco Escobar, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Hector Villaba and Ezequiel Barco - young and full of potential.

Atlanta United leads MLS in points (34) and goals scored (34). It will host Orlando City on Saturday.

Atlanta United has until July 10 to figure out how to fit Remedi into the roster. The team’s 30-man roster is full and it has used its seven slots for international players. The team has worked with several of its international players to acquire green cards in the past, which clears an international slot. The internationals on the roster are occupied by Almiron, Barco, Escobar, Jon Gallagher, Gonzalez Pirez, Julian Gressel and Josef Martinez.

The club could loan one of those players, likely Gallagher, to Atlanta United 2 for the season. Doing so would free up an international slot and roster spot.

Remedi made his professional debut in June 2015 versus Sarmiento and has made 68 appearances across all competitions in three years. During the 2017-18 season, Remedi started 21 league matches, helping Banfield to a mid-table finish. Playing as a defensive midfielder, Remedi helped anchor one of the league’s top defenses, as only six teams allowed fewer goals than Banfield (24) during the 27-game season. During the 2016-17 season, he made 23 starts in 24 appearances as Banfield finished in fifth place to qualify for the Copa Libertadores second stage. He also started all three matches in the Copa Argentina where Banfield reached the Round of 16.