Atlanta United made several squad changes on the final day of MLS' secondary transfer window that closed on August 2 in a bid to improve their fortunes for the business end of the season.
Fresh off a defeat in the Leagues Cup against Inter Miami and Lionel Messi, Atlanta began working on bringing in attacking reinforcements to strengthen their squad for a postseason run - as the MLS Cup is the only trophy the Five Stripes are playing for now.
After forward Luiz Araujo left for Brazilian side Flamengo, Atlanta had a Designated Player (DP) spot available and were looking to fill it for the remainder of 2023. Atlanta chief executive officer and president Garth Lagerway and technical director Carlos Bocanegra chose Georgia International Saba Lobzhanidze to fill that roster slot.
The 28-year-old is capable of playing as a left or right-winger, and has mainly played in Turkey throughout his professional career for the likes of Hatayspor (his previous club), Fatih Karagumruk, and Randers FC in Denmark. Lobzhanidze has also made 32 appearances for the Georgia national team and scored on three separate occassions.
Lobzhanidze signs with the Five Stripes on a deal that runs through the 2026 MLS season and joins Giorgos Giakoumakis and Thiago Almada as Atlanta's Designated Player.
"Saba is a player we had been speaking with since early in the transfer window and he continued to show his commitment and desire to come to Atlanta throughout the process," Bocanegra said.
"Saba brings international quality and experience having played in World Cup and UEFA Euro qualifying in addition to top leagues in Europe. We look forward to integrating him into the team as quickly as possible."
Atlanta also brought in another winger in the form of Xande Silva on loan from French third division side Dijon FCO. The 26-year-old has played for Nottingham Forest, West Ham United, and Vitoria de Guimaraes.
"We're excited to welcome Xande to the club and look forward to him providing an impact over the final stretch of the season," said Bocanegra. "He is a versatile attacker who will provide more competition on the wing and has the ability to play anywhere across the front three."
Silva joins Atlanta through the rest of the 2023 season, and the 2018 MLS Cup champions have an option to make his move permanent at the end of the year.
Interestingly enough, Atlanta doesn't have any problems in front of goal, but has conceded the second-most goals in the league with 39 and chose not to bring in any reinforcements.
The Five Stripes are now gearing up for the remainder of the 2023 season as they sit seventh in the Eastern Conference on 35 points after 24 games played. Atlanta returns to action on August 20 when they visit the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Atlanta United sign attacking duo on last day of summer transfer window.
