Franco Ibarra Explained

Franco Ibarra
Fullname:Franco Gabriel Ibarra
Birth Date:28 April 2001
Birth Place:Tigre, Argentina
Height:1.75 m
Position:Defensive midfielder
Currentclub:Rosario Central
(on loan from Atlanta United)
Clubnumber:5
Youthyears1:2010–2019
Youthclubs1:Argentinos Juniors
Years1:2019–2021
Clubs1:Argentinos Juniors
Caps1:11
Goals1:0
Years2:2021–
Clubs2:Atlanta United
Caps2:53
Goals2:0
Years3:2023
Clubs3:Toronto FC (loan)
Caps3:7
Goals3:0
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:Rosario Central (loan)
Caps4:15
Goals4:0
Nationalyears1:2019
Nationalteam1:Argentina U18
Club-Update:5 August 2024

Franco Gabriel Ibarra (born 28 April 2001) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Rosario Central on loan from Atlanta United.

Club career

Argentinos Juniors

Ibarra arrived in Argentinos Juniors in 2010, aged nine.[1] [2] He would go on to make over one hundred competitive appearances in their youth system.[1] Ibarra made his breakthrough into first-team football in December 2019, coming off the bench to replace Francis Mac Allister in a Primera División draw at home to Estudiantes. June 2020 saw Ibarra sign a new contract that would last until December 2024.[3] His next appearance wouldn't arrive until 31 October 2020 against San Lorenzo, though the defensive midfielder would leave the match prematurely after receiving a red card; as he would again nine games later versus Boca Juniors; his final appearance.[4]

Atlanta United

On 22 February 2021, Ibarra signed with Major League Soccer club Atlanta United[5] with a release clause amounting to €1,700,000 and his contract is valid until 2026.

Toronto FC

In July 2023, Ibarra was loaned to Major League Soccer club Toronto FC for six months with Atlanta receiving $50,000 in General Allocation Money.[6] The loan comes as a result of a logjam with the U-22 initiative roster slots, with the returns of Erik Lopez and Edwin Mosquera, there were four U-22 players with only three allotted spots.[7]

International career

Ibarra represented Argentina's U18s at the 2019 COTIF Tournament.[1] [8]

Career statistics

[9]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Argentinos Juniors2019–20Argentine Primera División100000000010
2021100000000100
Total11000000000110
Atlanta United2021Major League Soccer160003000190
202220020220
202317010180
Total53030003000590
Toronto FC (loan)2023Major League Soccer701080
Career total71030003010780

Notes

  1. News: LOS 100 PARTIDOS DE IBARRA. 3 November 2020. Argentinos Juniors. 6 February 2020.
  2. News: Franco Ibarra en Pasión Paternal: "Trabajo día a día para estar en la Primera". 3 November 2020. Pasión Paternal. 24 October 2020.
  3. News: Argentinos Juniors, renueva Franco Ibarra. 3 November 2020. TODOmercadoWEB. 26 June 2020.
  4. News: San Lorenzo no pudo con Argentinos. 3 November 2020. El Diario de La Pampa. 31 October 2020.
  5. News: Atlanta United signs midfielder Franco Ibarra . 22 February 2021 . Atlanta United FC . 22 February 2021.
  6. Web site: Toronto FC acquire midfielder Franco Ibarra on loan from Atlanta United. July 10, 2023. Toronto FC.
  7. Web site: Report: Atlanta United to loan out Franco Ibarra to get roster compliant. Rob. Usry. Dirty South Soccer. July 6, 2023.
  8. News: Los elegidos para defender el título. 3 November 2020. Olé. 24 July 2019.
  9. Web site: Ficha Estadistica de FRANCO IBARRA. 3 November 2020. BDFA.