Atlanta United sign striker Emmanuel Latte Lath

Field Level Media|published: Tue 4th February, 11:52 2025

Sep 28, 2024; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA;General view of MLS ball before the match between the Charlotte FC and the Inter Miami CF at Chase Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Atlanta United announced the splash signing of speedy Ivory Coast striker Emmanuel Latte Lath on Tuesday.

Atlanta reportedly paid an MLS-record $22 million transfer fee to English second-tier side Middlesbrough FC, breaking the mark of $16.2 million that FC Cincinnati spent in November to acquire forward Kevin Denkey from Belgium's Cercle Brugge.

Latte Lath, 26, is signed through the 2028 MLS season with an option for 2029 and will occupy a designated player spot.

"He's a forward with excellent pace and good goal-scoring instincts," Atlanta sporting director Chris Henderson said. "His ability to stretch the field will add another dimension to our attack."

The talk of the town. Now it's official.

Bienvenue, Latte Lath ???? pic.twitter.com/rQ22t2bqah
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) February 4, 2025

Latte Lath scored 29 goals in 67 matches for Middlesbrough from 2023-25, including a team-high 11 goals during the current campaign. He launched his pro career with Italy's Atalanta as a 17-year-old in 2016.

"At 26 years old, he's entering the prime years of his career and has already shown his goal-scoring ability in multiple leagues in Europe," Henderson said.

The Five Stripes open the 2025 MLS regular season on Feb. 22 at home against CF Montreal.

--Field Level Media