Atlanta United acquired left fullback Elías Báez on Tuesday as an Under-22 Initiative signing, continuing the team’s new approach to using the roster mechanism.

Báez, 21 years old, was purchased from San Lorenzo in Argentina. He is the second U22 signing, joining defender Tomas Jacob, made during this transfer window.

If a team has three Designated Players, which Atlanta United does, MLS allows it to sign as many as three U22s. Atlanta United has one U22 slot remaining. It sold Edwin Mosquera, a U22 signing made four years ago and who never consistently produced, to Independiente Santa Fe in Colombia last month.

Báez made 60 appearances with one goal and two assists for San Lorenzo, most of them at left fullback.

He will compete with Pedro Amador and Dominik Chong Qui at left fullback.

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Atlanta United fullback Dominik Chong Qui dribbles the ball against New York City FC in March 2024. Chong Qui might be out more than a month with an injured MCL. (Jason Allen for the AJC)

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