The 21-year-old striker Elias Manoel, who showed a sample of his talent at the end of the 2022 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, was repatriated by the New York Red Bulls on Friday.
The New Jersey outfit have signed the young Brazilian to a three-year contract, with an option for the 2026 campaign. Manoel was first acquired on loan from Gremio, Brazil.
The forward had played six games, including five as a starter, with the Red Bulls between late August and mid-November. He stood out in the last game of the regular season by scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Charlotte FC.
“Elias proved he has great potential in MLS during the short time he spent with us last season,” sporting director Jochen Schneider said in a statement. We are very happy to have him with us on a permanent basis and excited that he can help us achieve our team goals.”
At Gremio, Manoel scored nine times in 40 appearances.
The reverse path for Moreno
At Atlanta United, midfielder Marcelino Moreno has been loaned to Brazilian club Coritiba for the 2023 campaign.
The 28-year-old Argentine has been a bit of a victim of Georgia’s offensive depth, being used just 18 times in the starting XI last season. In just over two years in Atlanta, Moreno has amassed 13 goals and 14 assists in 68 games.
In a written statement, vice-president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra explained that this loan would allow the young veteran to see more of the field.
Atlanta already has Argentinian Thiago Almada in the attacking midfield position. The 21-year-old player notably took part in the most recent soccer World Cup, in Qatar.