Atlanta United has officially signed defender Júnior Alonso, securing his services through the 2028-29 season. The Paraguayan international joins the club on a free transfer after two seasons with Atlético Mineiro in Brazil's Serie A. He recently played a key role in helping Paraguay reach the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Alonso will take up an international roster spot while awaiting his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.

Experience and Leadership

Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson expressed enthusiasm about the signing, stating, “Júnior is a hard-working defender who will help add solidity and stability to our backline. He’s a natural leader, reads the game very well, and brings great experience from South America and Europe at the club and international level.” Henderson highlighted Alonso's recent participation in the World Cup as a testament to his capabilities.

Professional Journey

Alonso has accumulated 422 professional appearances, contributing nine goals and 15 assists across various competitions. His career has seen him play in the top divisions of Paraguay, France, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and Russia. Most notably, he spent a significant portion of his career at Atlético Mineiro, where he made 240 appearances from 2020 to 2026 and won both the league and Brazilian Cup titles in 2021. During his time at the club, he scored four goals and provided seven assists, often serving as captain.

Beginning his career at Cerro Porteño in 2013, Alonso made 32 appearances before moving to Lille in 2017, where he played 52 matches. He had loan spells at Celta Vigo and Boca Juniors, the latter of which saw him help the team secure an Argentine Supercopa title. After transferring to Atlético Mineiro in 2020, he later joined FC Krasnodar in January 2022, where he made 54 appearances before returning to Brazil in 2024.

On the international stage, Alonso has represented Paraguay 76 times, scoring three goals and providing three assists since his debut in 2013. He played a crucial role in the recent World Cup qualifying campaign, helping Paraguay qualify for its first World Cup since 2010 and participated in five matches during the tournament.