Tyrone Mears has officially joined Atlanta United, as a trade was announced on Tuesday. The Seattle Sounders will receive $50,000 in General Allocation Money as part of the transaction.
This is the second time this offseason that Atlanta has sent the Sounders GAM. Back in December, the Sounders also received $50,000 in GAM for relinquishing their Discovery Rights to Miguel Almiron. The Sounders also got $75,000 from New York City FC in exchange for the No. 16 pick in the recently concluded SuperDraft.
Mears had hinted at a trade a few days ago and Herculez Gomez had effectively confirmed it on Monday, but it was not clear what the Sounders would be receiving. There had been some speculation that the Sounders would receive the top spot in the Allocation Order — they are currently 21st. Moving up would have further fueled rumors that the Sounders are trying to sign Fredy Montero, who would need to go through the Allocation Order if he were to return to MLS.