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The 21-year-old defensive midfielder joins Atlanta in a transfer reportedly worth more than $3 million
Atlanta United signs Defensive Midfielder Mauricio Amaro
Atlanta United has filled one of the largest remaining holes on its roster.
The club acquired 21-year-old defensive midfielder Mauricio Amaro from Defensor Sporting in Uruguay. Amaro signed a contract through the 2028-29 season with an option for the 2029-30 season.
Per reports, Atlanta paid more than $3 million for Amaro, with the final amount able to increase through performance-based incentives. The club did not disclose the financial terms of the transfer.
Amaro will occupy U22 Initiative and international roster spots. He will be eligible to play after Atlanta receives his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa. We're excited to add a top young talent like Mauricio to Atlanta United. He's a player who will strengthen our midfield with his tackling, ball winning, competitiveness and ability to drive forward and split lines in possession. We look forward to welcoming him to the club Chris Henderson - Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director 
A Young Midfielder From Defensor
Amaro joined Defensor Sporting’s academy and made his first-team debut in June 2023. He developed into a regular for the club, making x appearances across all competitions before leaving for Atlanta.
The Montevideo native turned 21 over the summer. He has primarily played in front of the defense, breaking up attacks and helping Defensor move the ball forward from deeper areas.
During the 2026 season, Amaro appeared in 21 league matches and played 1,814 minutes for Defensor. He has also represented Uruguay at the U20 level, although he has not yet appeared for the senior national team.
His growing role with Defensor was reflected in the contract extension he signed in September 2025, which ran through December 2028. The agreement gave the club control over its academy product’s future and leverage in negotiating his transfer to Atlanta.
Atlanta Finally Gets Its Defensive Midfielder
Atlanta has been searching for a natural defensive midfielder for quite some time. Tristan Muyumba has filled that role by necessity, usually playing behind Jay Fortune and Cooper Sanchez, while Will Reilly has stepped into the rotation when injuries have required it.
Amaro gives Atlanta a player better suited to protecting the back line. That should allow Muyumba to move farther forward, although competition with Fortune and Sanchez could limit his minutes this season. Reilly may also return to a smaller role as the number of available midfielders increases.
The signing also completes another part of Atlanta’s defensive rebuild. After adding Júnior Alonso and Paulo Díaz earlier in the summer, the club now has a midfielder capable of shielding the new centerback pairing.
The longer-term picture remains unsettled. Muyumba is under contract through 2027, but Amaro’s arrival will change his role. He may continue on with the club through the shortened 2027 sprint season to provide continuity.
Jay Fortune’s future is less certain. Fortune is out of contract after this season, with no club option remaining. He has developed into an important player, and losing him would be unpopular with supporters already frustrated by the team’s performance. At the same time, Fortune may decide that his best opportunity to continue developing lies beyond Atlanta.
Another Young South American Investment
The signing continues Atlanta’s investment in young players from South America.
Atlanta used its last remaining U22 Initiative position to sign Amaro. The roster mechanism allows the club to pay a significant transfer fee while carrying a reduced charge against the MLS salary budget.
He joins U22 players Elías Báez and Tomás Jacob as part of Atlanta’s defensive rebuild. All three were signed with the expectation that they could contribute to the first team, continue developing, and eventually produce a return on the club’s investment.