TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
Inter Miami have completed a blockbuster transfer just ahead of the MLS is Back Tournament.
The club have acquired former Atlanta United center back Leandro Gonzalez Pirez from Club Tijuana and have signed the defender using Targeted Allocation Money, Miami announced Wednesday. They completed the move using their No. 1 spot in the Allocation Order and will now drop to No. 26. FC Cincinnati are now at the top of the order.
“Leandro is a stalwart defender that has proven to not only be a great leader on and off the pitch, but he’s also determined to succeed and win championships,” Miami COO and sporting director Paul McDonough said in a statement. “He joins us in great form and is ready to contribute.”
Gonzalez Pirez is a green card holder and will not occupy an international roster spot.
Head coach Diego Alonso will have to wait to hand Gonzalez Pirez his debut, as he won't be eligible to play at the MLS is Back Tournament, due to the conditions of the revised MLS Two-Day and Secondary Transfer Windows, also announced on Wednesday.
Gonzalez Pirez, 28, only joined Xolos in January. He made 14 appearances with the club before the Liga MX 2020 Clausura season was suspended and ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was a cornerstone of the defense for Atlanta's first three seasons, starting 95 matches while helping the club raise the 2018 MLS Cup, and the 2019 U.S. Open Cup and 2019 Campeones Cup during that time.
McDonough is plenty familiar with LGP from his time in Atlanta's front office from 2016-18.
LGP adds to an already impressive collection of defensive talent, including fellow Argentine Nico Figal, reigning MLS Cup champ Roman Torres, 20-year-old Colombian Andres Reyes and more. Miami, in their expansion season, are 0-2 ahead of the MLS is Back Tournament.
