Former Atlanta United Defender Alan Franco Leaves São Paulo for Tigres

Former Atlanta United defender Alan Franco is leaving São Paulo to join Tigres UANL on loan, bringing an unexpected end to a successful three-and-a-half-year spell in Brazil.

São Paulo officially announced Tuesday that Franco will spend one year with the Liga MX club, with the agreement allowing for an additional six-month extension. Tigres will also have an option to purchase the Argentine center back, who remains under contract with São Paulo through December 2028.

The club’s brief announcement did little to explain why a player with 154 appearances, two domestic trophies and a contract through 2028 was leaving in the middle of the Brazilian season. Franco had become a regular starter and earned recognition as one of the country’s leading center backs.

The answer appears to have little to do with his performance.

Financial Tensions

Franco had made 26 appearances for São Paulo during the 2026 season and remained a first-choice defender under head coach Dorival Júnior before the schedule paused for the World Cup.

São Paulo reportedly viewed him as a starter and did not enter the summer intending to move him. Franco, however, had repeatedly expressed his desire to leave during the weeks leading up to the Tigres agreement. His request came amid reported financial disputes with the club and growing tension behind the scenes.

Franco’s dispute with São Paulo was not isolated. The club met with its players in early July after falling behind on image-rights payments, according to Brazilian reports.

Tigres will reportedly pay São Paulo $500,000 for the loan and hold an option to purchase Franco for $1.5 million. The agreement could also extend his stay in Mexico through December 2027.

In order to facilitate the move, Franco agreed to relinquish money São Paulo still owed him, including €250,000 in signing payments and overdue image-rights compensation. UOL reported that his representatives had considered taking the dispute to FIFA before the parties reached an agreement.

From Atlanta To São Paulo

Atlanta United signed Franco from Independiente in April 2021 and used a Designated Player slot to complete the deal. He arrived after helping Independiente win the 2017 Copa Sudamericana.

Franco joined Gabriel Heinze’s team, but Atlanta dismissed the head coach after 13 MLS matches. Rob Valentino took interim charge before the club hired Gonzalo Pineda in August.

Franco started 54 of his 56 MLS appearances, scored once and added seven assists. Atlanta later bought down his contract, removing his Designated Player designation while keeping him as a regular starter.

São Paulo acquired Franco from Atlanta in January 2023. The clubs did not disclose the fee, but contemporary Brazilian reports valued the agreement at up to $1.5 million for 80 percent of his economic rights. The remaining 20 percent was retained by another party or parties.

The available reporting does not identify who retained that interest or whether it applies to the full transfer fee or only to São Paulo’s profit. It therefore remains unclear whether Atlanta United would receive a payment if Tigres exercises its $1.5 million purchase option.

Franco made 45 appearances during his first season with São Paulo. São Paulo won the Copa do Brasil that year, claiming the trophy for the first time in club history, then added the Supercopa Rei in 2024.

His performances during the 2024 season earned him recognition in the Troféu Mesa Redonda awards, where he was selected among the leading center backs in Brazilian football. São Paulo then extended his contract through December 2028.

Franco remained a regular starter in 2026 and made 26 appearances before the World Cup break.

Franco Heads To Mexico

Tigres moved for Franco after losing Jesús Angulo to injury for the Apertura 2026 tournament. Franco is expected to join Joaquim in the center of the defense as the club begins its Liga MX campaign.

The loan gives Tigres an immediate replacement while preserving the option to make the move permanent for $1.5 million.