ATLANTA – Atlanta United announced today that Josef Martínez has been released. The club will use his one-season buyout on the cost of the player’s budget and Martínez will now hold a Designated Player spot on the team’s roster. In a related move, Martínez has opted to join Inter Miami CF, which will cover part of Martínez’s guaranteed contract on the club’s 2023 salary budget.
“Josef has played an important role in the history of Atlanta United, scoring goals and lifting many trophies for moments that will live forever with our supporters,” said Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra. “He was an integral part responsible for building our brand into what it is today. We cannot thank him enough for his contributions to the club and the community over the last six years. He will always be a part of Atlanta United and we We wish him success in his future endeavors.”
Martínez originally joined the club when he signed as a Designated Player on loan from Torino on 2 February 2017, shortly becoming a permanent transfer on 21 March 2017. After scoring 19 goals in 20 matches in his first season with Atlanta United in 2017. , Martínez followed that up with a record-breaking campaign in 2018 in which he became the first MLS player to win MLS All-Star, Regular Season and MLS Cup honors in the same season. The Venezuelan forward scored 31 goals in 2018 to win the MLS Golden Boot, and then broke the league’s regular-season goalscoring record of 27. He added four goals in the MLS Cup Playoffs to break the league record with 35 goals and lead Atlanta. first MLS Cup title.
Martínez followed up his historic 2018 season by scoring 33 goals in 39 matches in all competitions in 2019, becoming the team’s top scorer in both the MLS Champions League and the Concacaf Champions League. In league play, he scored 27 goals and added four assists and finished third in both MVP voting and the Golden Boot race. The forward has scored in an MLS-record 15 consecutive games (May 24-September 18) and holds the record for most goals scored in three seasons in MLS history (77 from 2017-19 ). Martínez joined elite MLS company and became the seventh player to record three seasons of 15+ goals.
He also holds the league all-time record for hits with six and the single-season mark with three (2017 and 2018).
After suffering a torn ACL in the 2020 MLS season opener that forced him to miss the entire year, Martínez returned in 2021 to score a team-high 12 goals in 24 appearances (18 starts). At the time, Martínez became the fastest player in MLS history to score 100 goals in all competitions, reaching the mark in just 125 games.
Last year, Martínez started the season with two goals and two assists in the first five games, but had to miss two months after arthroscopic knee surgery in April. He finished the season with nine goals and added four assists in 26 contests (12 starts). In total, Martínez scored 111 goals in all competitions with Atlanta.
Statement by Arthur M. Blank, Owner and President, Blank Family of Businesses
“Since his arrival in 2017, Josef Martínez has poured his heart and soul into Atlanta United. We have experienced many firsts together – Atlanta United’s inaugural year, Josef’s first MLS season, a number of record-breaking performances and, of course, an MLS championship together. Josef is a unique, iconic athlete, and I thank him and his family for taking a chance in Atlanta and growing up with us. He is one of the most decorated MLS players of all time and He has made Atlanta, and the entire league proud, while also proudly representing his beautiful country of Venezuela. I know Josef will continue to shine as he moves to the next stop on his professional journey. spent with him I am grateful, and I know that I speak for all 17 faithful years when I say ‘thank you Josef.’ He is a valuable member of our Atlanta United family.
SHIPPING: Atlanta United signed Josef Martínez on January 18, 2023 for a one-season guaranteed contract.
Atlanta United Roster 2023 (as of January 18, 2023)
Goalkeeper (4): Clement Diop, Justin Garces, Brad Guzan, Quentin Westberg
Defenders (9): Noah Cobb, Andrew Gutman, Ronald Hernandez, Brooks Lennon, Aiden McFadden, Efrain Morales, Juanjo Purata, Miles Robinson, Caleb Wiley
Midfielders (11): Thiago Almada, Ozzie Alonso, Ezequiel BarcoDerrick Etienne Jr., Ajani Fortune, Franco Ibarra, Marcelino Moreno*, Matheus Rossetto, Amar Sejdić, Santiago Sosa, Tyler Wolff
Forward (6): Luiz Araújo, Erik Centeno, Machop Chol, Jackson Conway, Erik López, Edwin Mosquera
* On loan at River Plate in the 2023 season
** On loan to Coritiba FC until 2023
