Atlanta United has come to an agreement with Brazilian Serie A team Botafogo concerning outstanding payments linked to the transfer of midfielder Thiago Almada, as announced by the MLS club on Friday.
Almada was sold to Botafogo for $21 million during the summer of 2024.
After Botafogo transferred Almada to Atlético Madrid last July, it had not yet settled two $3 million installments owed to Atlanta, nor the accrued interest on the initial transfer. Atlanta escalated the matter to FIFA, which mandated Botafogo to pay the full amount.
Botafogo and owner John Textor subsequently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ultimately upheld FIFA’s decision. When payment was still not forthcoming, FIFA enforced a three-window transfer ban on Botafogo in December 2025.
“We have reached a settlement with Botafogo regarding the 2024 transfer of Thiago Almada,” Atlanta United stated. “Atlanta United succeeded in both the FIFA Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which confirmed the terms of the 2024 Transfer Agreement.”
The statement further noted, “Today, we can confirm that Botafogo will remit the complete transfer fee, along with interest, as stipulated in this settlement. We appreciate the rulings by FIFA and CAS, which uphold standards that foster a fair and sustainable international transfer market.”
A World Cup champion with Argentina in 2022, Almada made 77 appearances and netted 23 goals for Atlanta from 2022 to 2024 before moving to Botafogo for what was then a record fee for an MLS player.
The 24-year-old forward currently plays for Atlético Madrid, marking his fourth different club in under 13 months. Almada spent only six months at Botafogo before being loaned to French side Lyon, which is also owned by Textor.
