ATL Standard

Atlanta United recently introduced Emmanuel Latte Lath as their latest acquisition, signaling the club's ambitions on a global scale. The announcement was made at a press conference attended by Atlanta United president and CEO Garth Lagerwey, Chief Soccer Officer Chris Henderson, and Latte Lath himself.

Lagerwey emphasized the significance of this signing for the club's future. "We believe that signing him reflects our global ambition to become one of the bigger clubs in the world," he stated.

Latte Lath joins Atlanta from Middlesbrough FC, where he had an impressive record. Known for his speed and goal-scoring ability, he aligns with new head coach Ronny Deila’s forward-thinking strategy. Deila has expressed a desire to shift away from what he described as "boring" backward passing to a more aggressive attacking style.

Henderson praised Latte Lath's potential impact on the team. "He’s a goal scorer, he’s proven it in multiple leagues," Henderson said. "He’s going to help stretch teams with his speed and his finishing."

Latte Lath played 67 matches for Middlesbrough, scoring 29 goals. His decision to join Atlanta was influenced by the club's project and ambitions. “I came here because I want to try to win something with Atlanta,” Latte Lath remarked.

His move comes amid high expectations as he prepares for his MLS debut against CF Montréal. Although unfamiliar with MLS initially, conversations with key figures at Atlanta United convinced him of its potential.

As the season approaches, Latte Lath is focused on integrating into the team and contributing effectively on match days. He has already participated in preseason activities and nearly scored during a game against FC Dallas.

The anticipation surrounding Latte Lath's arrival is palpable both within the team and among fans in Atlanta. Lagerwey highlighted this excitement: “[There’s] real buzz and real momentum building both inside our locker room and out in the city of Atlanta.”