Atlanta United have reportedly loaned midfielder Franco Ibarra to another MLS club. The Athletic’s Tom Bogert reported the shocking news on Thursday morning.
The surprising move comes as a result of a logjam with the U-22 initiative roster slots. With the returns of Erik Lopez and Edwin Mosquera, there were four U-22 players with only three allotted spots. Unfortunately, the only solution the club could find was to send Ibarra, the most productive player of the four this season, out on loan to another MLS club.
Ibarra has appeared 18 times for the club this season, establishing himself as Gonzalo Pineda’s preferred defensive midfielder.