Atlanta United announced the signing of centerback Fernando Meza from Club Tijuana in Mexico on Friday with Targeted Allocation Money.
Meza will occupy an international roster slot and be added to Atlanta’s roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.
Meza, 29, is a native of Argentina and has played in Argentina, Chile and Mexico. He most recently played for Necaxa in Mexico. Although acquired from Tijuana, Meza never played for the club only recently joining them.
“Fernando is an athletic, ball-playing center back who immediately strengthens our defense,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement. “He brings more than a decade of top-flight experience in Argentina, Chile and Mexico and will be a veteran presence for our backline.”
Meza, who is right-footed, made 15 appearances for Necaxa during the recently completed Apertura season in LIGA MX. He made 20 appearances across all competitions and 52 for the club. He made 55 appearances for San Lorenzo.
Meza can play centerback, right back or defensive midfielder.
He has five appearances for Argentina’s youth national teams.
Meza joins a centerback group that includes Miles Robinson, Anton Walkes, George Campbell, Franco Escobar and Jeff Larentowicz.
Atlanta United opens training camp on Monday.
Roster
Here is the roster, currently containing 22 players:
Mo Adams, WB/DM
Ezequiel Barco, M/S
George Bello, FB/WB
George Campbell, CB
Andrew Carleton, M
Franco Escobar, CB/FB/WB
Julian Gressel, M/WB
Brad Guzan, GK
Emerson Hyndman, DM/CM
Alec Kann, GK
Lagos Kunga, S
Jeff Larentowicz, DM/CB
Brooks Lennon, FB/WB/M
Josef Martinez, S
Pity Martinez, AM/S
Fernando Meza, CB/RB
Brendan Moore, GK
Luiz Nascimento, M/S
Patrick Nielsen, CB*
Eric Remedi, DM/CM
Miles Robinson, CB
Hector Villalba, M/S
Anton Walkes, CB/RB
*Draft pick. Must sign contract.