MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Signs Winger Saba Lobjanidze from Turkish Süper Lig

Published on August 2, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - Atlanta United today announced it has signed winger Saba Lobjanidze (Sah-bah Lobe-jah-neat-zey ) from Turkish Süper Lig side Hatayspor through the 2026 season. The Georgian international will occupy a Designated Player spot and international roster slot pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.

"Saba is a player we had been speaking with since early in the transfer window and he continued to show his commitment and desire to come to Atlanta throughout the process," Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said. "Saba brings international quality and experience having played in World Cup and UEFA Euro qualifying in addition to top leagues in Europe. We look forward to integrating him into the team as quickly as possible."

The 28-year-old was born in Tbilisi, Georgia and brings a wealth of playing experience to Atlanta United. Since the 2014-15 season, Lobjanidze has 288 total appearances, 69 goals and 57 assists across all club competitions. He began his professional career coming through the ranks of his hometown club Dinamo Tbilisi. He made his first division debut on Aug. 10, 2014 for Dinamo in a 2-0 victory. His first goal came in his first start in a 6-0 victory over Shukura. Dinamo won two trophies that season, the Georgian Cup and Supercup, while Lobjanidze would add the Georgian league title to his resume the following season. In three seasons he made 60 total appearances with 12 goals and 14 assists, before making a move to Denmark with Randers FC in the summer of 2017.

In his first full season in the Danish Superliga, the Georgian winger played a pivotal role in helping Randers avoid relegation. After scoring three goals during the regular season, Lobjanidze turned it on in the relegation playoff, scoring six goals in six matches to keep his side in the top flight. He went on to start all 38 of his appearances the following season across all competitions. In his final season in Denmark, Lobjanidze scored nine goals and added three assists in only 16 matches before being transferred to Ankaragücü in the Turkish Süper Lig.

The Tbilisi native became a main fixture for his side instantly, starting 45 of 53 matches in his two seasons with the club before signing with Hatayspor in the summer of 2021 after Ankaragücü suffered relegation. Lobjanidze scored eight goals and added eight assists in his first Süper Lig season with Hatayspor in 2021-22. He began last season with Hatayspor, making 21 appearances in league play before an earthquake forced the club to withdraw from competition. Lobjanidze spent the rest of the year on loan at Karagümrük, contributing two goals and two assists as the team finished in seventh place.

Internationally, the winger has earned 34 caps for the Georgian National Team. Lobjanidze earned his first cap on Jan. 23, 2017 and scored in a friendly against Uzbekistan. He has experience playing in World Cup and UEFA Euro Qualifiers, as well as UEFA Nations League with his country. Most recently, he provided the game-winning assist off the bench in a 2-1 win against Cyprus as Georgia sits in second place of Group A of the 2024 UEFA Euro Qualifiers.

Player Profile

Name: Saba Lobjanidze

Pronunciation: Sah-bah Lobe-jah-neat-zey

Position: Winger

Height: 5-9

Birthdate: December 18, 1994 (28)

Birthplace: Tbilisi, Georgia

Citizenship: Georgia

Transaction: Atlanta United signs Saba Lobjanidze from Hatayspor as a Designated Player through the 2026 season on Aug. 2, 2023, pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.

2023 Atlanta United roster (as of Aug, 2, 2023)

Goalkeepers (4): Clément Diop, Justin Garces^, Brad Guzan, Quentin Westberg

Defenders (9): Luis Abram, Noah Cobb, Ronald Hernández, Brooks Lennon, Aiden McFadden, Efrain Morales^, Juanjo Purata, Miles Robinson, Caleb Wiley

Midfielders (13): Thiago Almada, Ozzie Alonso, Ezequiel Barco*, Derrick Etienne Jr., Ajani Fortune, Franco Ibarra***, Saba Lobjanidze, Marcelino Moreno**, Tristan Muyumba, Matheus Rossetto, Amar Sejdić, Santiago Sosa, Tyler Wolff

Forwards (9): Miguel Berry, Erik Centeno^, Machop Chol, Jackson Conway^, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Erik López, Edwin Mosquera, Xande Silva****, Jamal Thiaré

*On loan; will permanently transfer to River Plate Jan. 1, 2024

**On loan to Coritiba through 2023 season

***On loan to Toronto FC through 2023 season

****On loan from Dijon through 2023 season

^ On loan to ATL UTD 2 through 2023 season

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