Alan Javier Franco (born 11 October 1996) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Major League Soccer club Atlanta United and the Argentina national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alan Javier Franco | ||
| Date of birth | (1996-10-11) 11 October 1996 (age 26) | ||
| Place of birth | Avellaneda, Argentina | ||
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Atlanta United | ||
| Number | 6 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2011–2014 | San Telmo | ||
| 2015–2016 | Independiente | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017–2021 | Independiente | 83 | (0) |
| 2021– | Atlanta United | 56 | (1) |
| National team | |||
| 2018– | Argentina | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:33, 9 October 2022 (UTC) | |||
Born in Avellaneda, Franco joined Independiente in January 2015, from San Telmo.[2] On 20 December 2016, he signed his first professional contract with the club, agreeing to a deal until 2020, and was promoted to the main squad shortly after.[3]
Franco made his first team – and Primera División – debut on 18 March 2017, starting in a 0–0 home draw against San Martín de San Juan.[4] He scored his first professional goal on 12 July, netting the first in a 4–2 Copa Sudamericana home defeat of Deportes Iquique.[5]
Franco became a starter under Ariel Holan during the 2017 Copa Sudamericana, featuring in both legs of the Final against Flamengo.[6]
On 8 April 2021, Franco joined Major League Soccer side Atlanta United on a five-year contract as a designated player.[7] He made his debut for the club on 27 April 2021 in the CONCACAF Champions League against the Philadelphia Union, the club losing 3–0.[8]
Franco made his international debut for Argentina on September 8, 2018 in a 3-0 international friendly against the Guatemala national football team.[9]
Independiente
Atlanta United FC – current squad | |
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