Atlanta United FC: Josef Martinez Signing Contract Extension an Important Step Towards Dynasty

Atlanta United FC solidified a major part of their team in signing forward and reigning MLS MVP Josef Martinez to a five-year contract extension. This is a major step towards the Five Stripes winning multiple titles.

Atlanta United FC took a huge step in repeating as MLS Cup Champions, by resigning forward Josef Martinez to a five-year deal. The deal will keep Martinez under contract until the year 2023. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. He counted slightly under 1.4 million against the cap this season according to Spotrac.

Gianni Verschueren of Bleacher Report covered the deal in this article.

Atlanta United’s official Twitter account announced the deal in the following tweet:

https://twitter.com/ATLUTD/status/1085559871490195456?s=19

Martinez is the Five Stripes all time leading goal scorer, with 50 goals in two seasons. That places him tied for fifth in goals over the first three seasons of an MLS career, despite the fact that he has played in MLS for only two years. He needs just 14 goals in the upcoming season to set a new record.

Josef Martinez is the most decorated player in MLS single season history. An MLS record 31 goals this season, helped him win the Golden Boot that is awarded to the top goals scorer, the MLS MVP award and the MLS Cup MVP, last season.

The signing is great for team continuity. Many players use the MLS as a spring-board to gain a bigger contract with a team in Europe. With that being said, keeping Martinez in the fold is a huge coup for the Five Stripes.

The fact that Josef Martinez has already played in Europe, may have helped Atlanta United secure his services long-term. He played for the Swiss Club Young Boys for three seasons as well Torino FC in Italy for four seasons.

Josef Martinez only scored 11 goals at his two European stops. He did score eight goals in 2013-14, while on loan with FC Thun, another Swiss soccer club. Martinez having experienced being a small fish in a big pond, seems to relish being one of the best players in MLS, on Atlanta United FC, one of the best clubs in MLS.

Now the attention turns to Miguel Almiron who has garnered interest from multiple clubs in Europe. Atlanta United FC is believed to want close to 40 million dollars in a transfer fee for his services.

Regardless of what happens with Miguel, securing the services of Josef Martinez, gives the Five Stripes a chance to win another MLS Cup next season and puts them in contention to win for the forseeable future.

What chance do you give Atlanta United FC to repeat as MLS Cup Champions? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below. Atl All Day will have more on Atlanta United FC and all of your favorite Atlanta area sports teams.

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