Alexey Miranchuk answered memorably when asked Tuesday why he signed with Atlanta United.
“I love hip-hop,” he said, before laughing. “Just wanted everyone to relax.”
If Miranchuk can play as well as he named off Atlanta-based rappers who are among his favorites, including Future, Offset and Lil Baby, then the $13 million that Atlanta United sent to Atalanta to get him in the recent transfer window may end up being a bargain.
It does seem a perfect match between club and player. Atlanta United, which has embraced the city’s rap scene to the point that it even designed a third kit to symbolize the music’s ties to the city, needed an attacking midfielder after it sold Thiago Almada to Botafogo in Brazil for at least $21 million. Miranchuk, who obviously loves rap, needed a club where he could get more consistent minutes after helping Atalanta win the Europa League in 2024. He also made five appearances in the Champions League for Atalanta. He has 63 goals and 71 assists across all competitions, including 13 goals and 19 assists in 98 appearances.
“The league (MLS) is growing,” he said. “Lot of players, quality players, great players, playing here, many more coming. “I played for four years in Europe. I achieved everything that I wanted. And when this opportunity come to me in Atlanta, right time and right place to be.”
Before landing in Atlanta on Sunday, Miranchuk had never been in the United States, but he said he enjoys learning about other cultures. His first training session with the club came Tuesday. Midfielder Dax McCarty said Miranchuk’s skill was evident.
Interim manager Rob Valentino said Monday that he envisions Miranchuk as a player who can find pockets of space and then play passes to teammates in attacking spaces.
Atlanta United needs the help. It is in the ninth and final playoff spot with nine matches remaining, starting at the L.A. Galaxy on Saturday. There are five clubs who are three points or less behind Atlanta United in the standings. If Atlanta United can’t put together a win streak, each week will likely see a massive shuffling in the standings in the pursuit for the postseason.
Miranchuk thinks he can help.
“I feel good in this team, in this league because I’m an attacking player and a lot of goals scoring, so l’m looking forward to just get to know my teammates better, to understand them better, and to help them.”
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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule
Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0
March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1
March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0
March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0
March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0
April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1
April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2
April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1
April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1
May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1
May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in U.S. Open Cup
May 11 D.C. United 3, Atlanta United 2
May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0
May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1
May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in U.S. Open Cup
May 25 LAFC 1, Atlanta United 0
May 29 Atlanta United 3, Miami 1
June 2 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 2
June 15 Atlanta United 2, Houston 2
June 19 Atlanta United 1, D.C. United 0
June 22 Atlanta United 1, St. Louis 1
June 29 Atlanta United 2, Toronto 1
July 3 New England 2, Atlanta United 1
July 6 Real Salt Lake 5, Atlanta United 2
July 9 vs. Indy Eleven 2, Atlanta United 1
July 13 Montreal 1, Atlanta United 0
July 17 Atlanta United 2, NYCFC 2
July 20 Atlanta United 2, Columbus 1
July 26 D.C. United 3 (6), Atlanta United 3 (5) in Leagues Cup
Aug. 4 Santos Laguna 0 (5), Atlanta United 0 (3) in Leagues Cup
Aug. 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Orlando, 6 p.m.
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