<
>

Atlanta send Leandro Gonzalez Pirez to Liga MX's Xolos, acquire Fernando Meza

Atlanta United have transferred defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez to Liga MX's Club Tijuana, the MLS club announced on Friday.

Gonzalez Pirez, 27, joined Atlanta in 2017 as a member of the team's inaugural roster. He made 95 regular-season starts and won a MLS Cup (2018), US Open Cup (2019) and Campeones Cup (2019) during his three seasons with the club.

"We appreciate what Leandro has contributed to the club over the last three years and we wish him the best of luck in his future," Atlanta VP and technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a club statement.

Atlanta later announced it had acquired defender Fernando Meza.

The 29-year-old Meza joins Atlanta with 12 years of professional experience in Argentina, Chile and Mexico. He made 39 appearances for Necaxa in 2019 across all competitions.

"Fernando is an athletic, ball-playing center back who immediately strengthens our defense," Bocanegra said in a statement. "He brings more than a decade of top-flight experience in Argentina, Chile and Mexico and will be a veteran presence for our backline."