United have acquired Atlanta United’s Argentine midfielder Yamil Asad in exchange for $200,000 General Allocation Money (GAM) and $100,000 Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) paid in 2018 and an additional $100,000 GAM and $100,000 TAM paid in 2019. In addition, Atlanta can also receive $100,000 in GAM if Asad appears in at least one MLS match in 2020.
The 23-year-old excelled in his MLS debut season, scoring seven goals (fourth top scorer on the team) and recording 13 assists for Atlanta. Asad was the third most featured player on the roster for the 2017 expansion team that scored the second most regular season goals in MLS last year. The midfielder also scored the first goal in club history for Atlanta in his league debut against the New York Red Bulls on March 5, 2017.
“Yamil is a bright talent in MLS, who was a major contributor to Atlanta’s successful inaugural campaign,” Dave Kasper, United general manager, said. “His pace, skill and creativity in wide areas will provide us with an additional attacking dimension. He’s a young player who plays with a big personality and a high work rate, and he will continue to develop and improve with more experience in this league. We’re thrilled to add him.”
Asad was a creative linchpin for Atlanta’s strong offense and led the team with 13 assists in 2017. The Argentine midfielder led Atlanta with 58 chances created, one more than Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player Finalist Miguel Almirón (57). He led the team with 1,114 passes in the opposition’s half and completed the fourth most successful passes (1,123). He was also threatening on the dribble and completed the fourth most successful dribbles (30) for Atlanta last season.
Asad played in the youth academy for Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield of the Argentine Primera División and made his professional debut for the club as a substitute on April 14, 2013 against CA Colón in the Torneo Final. Asad scored five goals and recorded four assists in 55 appearances for the club before being loaned to Atlanta United on January 11, 2017.
He is the son of former Vélez Sarsfield player Omar Asad who scored the game-winner in the 2-0 win against AC Milan in the 1994 Intercontinental Cup. His father won eight Argentina Primera División titles and one Copa Libertadores during an eight year career. Omar Asad has coached and managed multiple teams in Argentina (Club Deportivo Godoy Cruz, San Lorenzo de Almagro, Club Sportivo Estudiantes), Mexico (Club Atlas) and Ecuador (C.S. Emelec) since he retired as a player in 2000.
Player: Yamil Asad
Position: Midfield/Forward
Birthplace: San Antonio de Padua, Argentina
Country: Argentina
Birthdate: 07/27/1994
Age: 23
Height: 5’10"
Weight: 170
Previous Club: Atlanta United (on loan from Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield)
Status: International
Transaction: United acquired Atlanta United’s Yamil Asad in exchange for $200,000 in General Allocation Money and $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money paid in 2018 and an additional $100,000 in GAM and $100,000 in TAM paid in 2019. In addition, Atlanta can also receive $100,000 in GAM if Asad appears in at least one MLS match in 2020.
