Atlanta United completes sale of Hector Villalba

Atlanta United completed the sale of Hector Villalba to Libertad in Paraguay on Friday.

Financial terms weren't disclosed. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported Atlanta United's efforts to sell him Tuesday.

Villalba, 25, leaves the team having scored 21 goals with 24 assists the past three seasons in helping the team win the MLS Cup in 2018 and the U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup in 2019. Villalba’s strike against Orlando also was voted the goal of the year in MLS in 2017.

Villalba asked to be sold because he wants more playing time so that he may improve his chances of playing for the Paraguayan national team in games this year.

Villalba was Atlanta United’s first Designated Player, signed from San Lorenzo in Argentina on July 22, 2016.

After a fantastic first season, he lost his starting spot in the second season when manager Gerardo Martino switched formations to a 3-4-2-1, or 3-5-2.

Martino was replaced by Frank de Boer, who after some formational experimentation, also settled on playing at three at the back. Villalba also sustained several injuries that resulted in his appearances dropping from 28 in 2018 to 20 in 2019.

Here is the roster, currently containing 25 players:

Mo Adams, WB/DM

Ezequiel Barco, M/S

George Bello, FB/WB

George Campbell, CB

Andrew Carleton, M**

Edgar Castillo, FB/WB

Franco Escobar, CB/FB/WB

Jon Gallagher, S ***

Brad Guzan, GK

Emerson Hyndman, DM/CM

Adam Jahn, S