Struggling MLS Club Splashes Millions on World Cup Hero in Bold Last-Ditch Bid to Rescue Season

Atlanta United are once again turning to their familiar strategy to rescue their season, splashing a massive sum to acquire Switzerland World Cup goal-scorer Breel Embolo in one of the most significant transfers in MLS history. 

Currently sitting bottom of the Eastern Conference with only 18 points from 20 matches, the Five Stripes secured the elite striker from French Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais for a staggering $18 million on Sunday — a fee that ranks fifth-highest among all incoming MLS transfers. He will serve as a Designated Player through the 2029–30 campaign.

Embolo comes in having netted 100 goals and contributed 66 assists across 380 professional appearances for Rennes, FC Basel, Schalke 04, Borussia Mönchengladbach and AS Monaco, and continues to be a vital figure for Switzerland's national side. He contributed two goals and two assists at the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer as his nation made an impressive run to the quarterfinals. 

Across his international career, he has tallied 26 goals in 92 appearances and has featured at three World Cups (2018, 2022, 2026) and three European Championships (2016, 2020, 2024). 

Hitting all the right notes 🎼 pic.twitter.com/3gibgYGG2h

"We're delighted to add a player of Breel's caliber — someone with his blend of skill and experience at the pinnacle of world football — to Atlanta United," said Chris Henderson, Atlanta United's chief soccer officer and sporting director.

"At 29 years old, he's coming off an impressive World Cup showing with Switzerland and has consistently delivered goal contributions across several top European leagues ... His finishing ability, capacity to combine with teammates in the final third and relentless work ethic are attributes that will add real quality to our team through the center forward role."

Embolo joins an Atlanta side that has been no stranger to costly and controversial signings in recent years. Earlier this summer, the club arranged a loan move for record acquisition Emmanuel Latte Lath to Bundesliga outfit FC Union Berlin after he managed just nine goals in 44 appearances across 2025 and 2026, despite the club having paid a then-record $22 million plus add-ons to sign him — a deal that still stands second in MLS history. 

Although the Swiss attacker occupies the same position as Latte Lath, there is optimism that he can restore a cutting edge to an Atlanta side that has found the net just 23 times in 20 outings. The team's dip in form has also taken a toll on attendances, which have averaged 37,720 in 2026. During their peak years between 2016 and 2018, the club regularly drew crowds exceeding 50,000.

Atlanta Dominates All-Time Transfer Fees

Atlanta United account for five of the top-eight incoming transfer fees in MLS history, with Embolo representing the club's second-largest outlay. 

Some high-profile acquisitions, such as Thiago Almada and Miguel Almirón, have proven to be worthwhile investments, while others including Latte Lath and Ezequiel Barco have failed to live up to expectations during their time with the Red and Black. 

Embolo represents the fourth deal this year to break into the all-time top-10 highest incoming fees, with Toronto FC's $22 million signing of Josh Sargent in February placing third all-time, Inter Miami's $15 million January capture of Germán Berterame now sitting 10th, and Sporting Kansas City's club-record $18 million acquisition of André Luiz landing just ahead in fourth. 

Major League Soccer Record Transfers