Inter Miami signs Argentine back Franco Negri, finalizing deal for forward Josef Martinez

Inter Miami continued to build its 2023 roster with the signing of Argentine left back Franco Negri.

The club announced Wednesday that it signed Negri, who played for Argentine team Godoy Cruz, to a two-year contract with an option for the 2025 season.

“We are thrilled to strengthen our squad with an experienced and versatile player like Negri and are excited to see him represent Inter Miami as we work towards a successful season in 2023,” said Inter Miami chief soccer officer Chris Henderson.

According to multiple sources, a deal is also being finalized to acquire Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez, the 29-year-old Venezuelan who was MLS MVP in 2018 and broke several league scoring records. He scored 77 goals in his first three seasons, missed the 2020 season with a torn ACL, and scored 21 goals the past two seasons.

Martinez, the league’s 12th-highest-paid player at $4.1 million last season, has one year left on his contract. Atlanta is expected to buy out the remainder of his contract and Miami would then sign him and cover his cost with the help of Targeted Allocation Money, an MLS financial mechanism that gives teams some flexibility within the league’s rigid roster rules.

The Martinez deal will likely be announced in the coming days and he was already house hunting in South Florida, according to a league source.

Negri, 27, has spent his entire career in Argentina, playing 132 games, including 45 in the first division and four in the CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana. The defender has scored seven goals and added four assists.

“I feel very excited and motivated by this beautiful opportunity that fútbol and Inter Miami have afforded me, to be able to join the Club,” Negri said in a club press release. “It’s a very organized club and excellent in all aspects, one which any player would like to play for. My goal is to give everything for the team in every training session and every match, trying to achieve as many of the team’s goals as possible and represent the Club the best way possible on and off the pitch.”

Negri’s career has included stints with San Lorenzo, Quilmes, Independiente Rivadavia, Belgrano, Newell’s Old Boys, and Godoy Cruz, where he played 32 games last season.

He joins Kieran Gibbs, Christopher McVey, and Noah Allen on the left side of the defense.

Inter Miami opened training camp this week, plays a home exhibition Jan. 21 against Brazilian club Vasco da Gama, and kicks off the MLS season Feb. 25 at home against CF Montreal.