Atlanta United Add Argentine Defender Tomás Jacob in Move from Necaxa

Atlanta United have announced the signing of Argentine defender Tomás Jacob from Club Necaxa. Jacob has signed a contract through the 2028–29 season with option years through the 2030–31 season and will occupy a U-22 Initiative and international roster spot pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.

“Tomás is a talented young player with the versatility to play in multiple positions and we’re excited to watch his development continue with Atlanta United,” Atlanta United Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson said. “He’s going to add competition to the backline and is well suited for Tata’s style of play. We look forward to welcoming him to the club and the city of Atlanta.”

At 21 years old, Jacob arrives with a profile defined not by a single position, but by adaptability. He's a defender trusted to solve problems across the back line and into midfield.

Photo: Sofia Cupertino for the SDH Network

A Deliberate Development Path

A native of Santa Fe, Argentina, Jacob’s rise through the game followed a layered and intentional progression. He first emerged from the children’s divisions of Atlético de Felicia before moving into the AFA youth system with Atlético Rafaela, where he received structured federation-level training and began to stand out physically and tactically.

Newell’s Old Boys were already aware of Jacob during his time at Rafaela, tracking his development within the AFA structure. With the support of his parents, Jacob chose to leave Rafaela on his own initiative and complete the move to Rosario, a step viewed by all parties as the right environment for the next phase of his development.

Jacob joined the Newell’s academy and progressed through the ranks, making his first-division debut against Independiente on Oct. 31, 2021. His development at Newell’s earned him a call-up to train with Argentina’s U-20 team led by Javier Mascherano, recognition of both his physical tools and football intelligence.

From Fullback to Problem-Solver

Jacob’s early first-team minutes came primarily at right back, and scouting reports from 2022–23 showed a player still learning the attacking demands of that role.

What stood out even then was his defending. Jacob pressed with intensity, showed strong timing in tackles, frequently going to ground successfully, and was difficult to beat in one-on-one situations. His positioning and anticipation were consistently sound, and his strength allowed him to hold off opponents.

Rather than forcing him into a purely fullback profile, Newell’s leaned into his strengths. Jacob was increasingly used as a right-sided center back and later as a defensive midfielder, where his reading of the game, organization, and discipline became central to his value.

Trust Earned in Big Moments

One of the clearest examples of that trust came during the 2025 Apertura against Boca Juniors. Despite suffering a fractured finger on his right hand, Jacob remained available for selection and was deployed in midfield, outside his primary position. He delivered a tireless, disciplined performance covering ground, breaking up play, organizing teammates, and staying alert defensively throughout.

After the match, Newell’s head coach Cristian Fabbiani captured what defined Jacob as a player:

“The most important thing is that he listens. No matter the position, he listens and obeys. A player who listens, plays for me.”

Playing through injury while excelling in an unfamiliar role encapsulated Jacob’s profile: resilient, team-first, and trusted to execute instructions under pressure.

From Rosario to Liga MX — and a Rapid Rise

Jacob has made 67 combined first-division appearances in Argentina and Mexico. After making 14 league appearances in 2022 and recording his first career assist against Godoy Cruz, he added 13 first-division appearances in 2024 and another 13 in the 2025 Apertura for Newell’s, playing across right back, center back, and central midfield.

He transferred to Necaxa on July 15, 2025, making his club debut just three days later against Querétaro. Jacob started 12 of his 14 Liga MX Apertura appearances, scored his first professional goal against Atlas on Sept. 26, and started all three of Necaxa’s 2025 Leagues Cup matches — including the opening match against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

His strong performances in Mexico drove a rapid rise in value. Multiple reports in Argentina and Mexico indicated Atlanta United’s move was valued at approximately $5 million, reflecting both Jacob’s age and the belief that his best years remain ahead.

A Familiar Reference Point for 17's

Jacob’s pathway will sound familiar to Atlanta United supporters. A previous signing out of Newell’s, Franco Escobar, arrived with a similar reputation: a right-sided defender capable of playing fullback or center back, not a traditional overlapping fullback focused on constant crossing, but one whose attacking impact came through movement, timing, and decisive actions.

At 6-foot-2, Jacob brings more size than Escobar did at the same stage, but the stylistic overlap is there. He is aggressive in duels, comfortable defending wide spaces, willing to step into passing lanes, and capable of sliding between roles without disrupting structure.

Fit, Flexibility, and Mentality

Atlanta United enters the season with an opening at right back, and Jacob’s experience there provides a clear pathway to minutes. His ability to operate as a right center back and even step into midfield when needed adds further flexibility as Atlanta balances formations, injuries, and in-game adjustments.

Just as importantly, Jacob arrives with a reputation as a listener, organizer, and competitor. His development story reflects initiative, humility, and toughness. From leaving Rafaela with family support, to adapting positions at Newell’s, to earning trust while playing through injury, through Liga MX and now to Atlanta show a player on a rapid ascent in the game.

Looking Ahead

At just 21 years old, Tomás Jacob arrives in Atlanta ready to contribute. His development through demanding environments in Argentina and Mexico has prepared him for the physical and tactical challenges of MLS, and his versatility gives Atlanta United immediate options across the back line and into midfield.

Jacob brings competitiveness and toughness to the group. Those traits have been evident throughout his career as he earned trust in difficult roles and played through adversity. That mentality, combined with his adaptability, aligns closely with what Tata Martino values in players: reliability, discipline, and the ability to execute the game plan.

As Atlanta looks ahead to the season, Jacob profiles as a player capable of adding depth, edge, and consistency right away while continuing to grow within the club’s system under a coaching staff that clearly believes in his potential.