Atlanta United are reportedly on the verge of signing Georgia international Saba Lobzhanidze as a Designated Player.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the 28-year-old winger is close to agreeing a deal with the Five Stripes, with Lobzhanidze set to be one of two deadline day signings for Atlanta.
The Hatayspor attacker has spent the majority of his career across the Turkish Super Lig and the Danish Superliga, scoring 69 goals with 57 assists in 288 appearances during his time as a professional.
With Atlanta in need of more attacking depth, adding Lobzhanidze to their ranks could be a wise move from Gonzalo Pineda despite the relatively unknown qualities the winger will add to the Five Stripes squad.
Indeed, Lobzhanidze’s experience across Turkey and Denmark could make the 28-year-old a dangerous player in MLS, especially for a club like Atlanta who are crying out for more quality out on the flanks.
Yet the part of this deal that might raise the most eyebrows is the aspect that Atlanta are signing Lobzhanidze on a DP contract, a strange move given how little MLS fans know about the forward.
Signing Lobzhanidze on a DP deal could be a risk for Atlanta
Designated Player signings have never been more important and bigger in MLS, and whilst there’s no questioning Lobzhanidze’s qualities, Atlanta using their last DP spot to land the Georgian is an interesting move.
At 28-years-old and never playing in a so-called top-five European league, going all out on Lobzhanidze is a risky move for Atlanta, even if there is an option for the winger’s contract to be bought down for the new season.
However, a winger is to be prized in Atlanta this deadline day, and signing Lobzhanidze will fill the void nicely for the Five Stripes if they can wrap up a deal in the coming hours.