Atlanta United announced on Thursday that they had acquired Peruvian international Luis Abram from Granada, a team in the Segunda Division and that they would be signing him before the 2023 MLS season. The defender, who is 26 years old, has a contract until the MLS season in 2026. Abram joins after Alan Franco’s transfer to Brazil’s So Paulo and George Campbell’s trade to CF Montréal both left this offseason.
Atlanta also has US international Miles Robinson back from a long-term Achilles injury, and Juanjo Purata, a senior-level returner in the central defense, is back. Atlanta VP and technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a press release, “Luis is a talented center back who brings a lot of experience at both the club and international level at only 26 years old.”
We are thrilled to have him join the team and anticipate that he will have an immediate impact on our backline. Abram made 257 appearances in the professional game and scored 11 goals and contributed 7 assists before signing with Atlanta. His professional career began at Peru’s Sporting Cristal, then he played for Argentina’s Vélez Sarsfield before signing with Spain’s Granada CF (then in the LaLiga). Abram spent 2022 on loan at Cruz Azul of Liga MX.
Abram has one international goal in 33 Peru caps. He has played for La Blanquirroja a lot with Alex Callens, a former star player for New York City FC, including the last two Copa Américas. Abram is Atlanta’s second key newcomer after signing Derrick Etienne Jr., a former winger for the Columbus Crew, in free agency. In addition, they are reportedly adding Greek international striker Giorgos Giakoumakis from Scottish powerhouse Celtic FC as a Designated Player to help offset the departure of club record scorer Josef Martinez, who signed with Inter Miami CF.