Despite a few twists and turns during negotiations, Switzerland’s star striker Breel Embolo is officially an Atlanta United player, signed through the 2029-30 MLS season.

Embolo’s expected move to Major League Soccer took a dramatic turn when he reportedly rejected Atlanta’s offer and opened talks with newly-promoted English Premier League side, Craig Forrest’s old Ipswich Town. L’Équipe last week that Embolo, who appeared set to leave Stade Rennais for Atlanta, had instead entered negotiations with The Tractor Boys.

That came as a shock when it seemed like his MLS move was a done deal after Atlanta reportedly agreed the transfer worth around $18 million for the 29-year-old forward — the fee that it still ended up being per Tom Bogert of The Athletic. That figure places Embolo among the highest incoming transfers in MLS history, along with recent Sporting Kansas City capture Andre Luiz and Toronto FC’s Josh Sargent, among others.

Embolo is expected to play striker between Atlanta DPs Miguel Almiron and Alexey Miranchuk, potentially forming one of the most dangerous attacking trios in MLS. Miranchuk scored the first Atlanta goal in a 2-1 win over Toronto FC at BMO Field in April, while Almiron has been one of the league’s best players on either side of a stint at Newcastle.

“We’re pleased to bring a player with Breel’s combination of talent and experience at the highest levels of world soccer to Atlanta United,” said Chris Henderson, the club’s chief soccer officer and sporting director in a press release. “At age 29, he’s coming off a strong performance at the World Cup with Switzerland and has a proven track record of goal contributions in multiple top European leagues.

“His goal-scoring, ability to link with other players in the attack and tireless work rate are qualities that will strengthen our team from the center forward position.”

Embolo joined Rennes from Monaco in September 2025 and made 34 appearances during his lone season there, scoring 10 goals and adding three assists. He also played a key role for Switzerland at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring twice in six appearances before being sent off during Switzerland’s quarterfinal loss to Argentina. Leaving Vancouver after three straight matches was clearly the bad luck move for the Swiss.

Embolo was controversially sent off in that quarterfinal defeat to eventual finalists Argentina, receiving a second yellow card for diving after a play that it was extensively argued should not have been reviewed in the first place. He also had issues entering the United States with his teammates at first after a visa issue that was resolved after a couple of days.

Switzerland topped Canada’s World Cup group and played their first two knockout matches in Vancouver after stealing first place from the CanMNT on Matchday 3. In total he has netted 26 goals in 92 international appearances and has been a Swiss regular at major tournaments.

In 380 professional matches in Europe, Embolo scored exactly 100 goals and added 66 assists.

Tom Bogert of The Athletic also reported this summer that former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez was also on Atlanta’s shopping list among other high-profile targets before they settled on Embolo.

Atlanta United have never been afraid to splash the cash to get the man they want, and now have five signings in the top 10 most expensive in league history.

Last year Atlanta paid $22 million for Emmanuel Latte Lath — who was recently loaned to Union Berlin to free up a DP slot after underperforming in MLS. A trio of Argentinians — Thiago Almada, Pity Martínez and Esequiel Barco — all cost between $15-16 million, with Almada and Martinez later flipped again for profit.