Minnesota United announced today the club has signed Argentine winger Franco Fragapane from Club Atlético Talleres of the Argentine Primera División to a four year contract, using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). Fragapane will join the Loons pending a physical and receipt of his P1 Visa and ITC completion of league-mandated quarantine. Additionally, Fragapane will occupy an international spot on Minnesota’s roster.
“This was a no-brainer. Franco is a bundle of energy, he’s got an incredible work rate. This is something we have targeted as we have brought players in,” said MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath. “Similar to Robin Lod and Emanuel Reynoso, he’s someone who can play multiple positions, which over the course of a season, having that versatility is hugely beneficial. We primarily see him playing on the left-hand side and coming in on his right. He can dribble, he can run with the ball, he can play with other players. From everyone we have spoken to who has worked with him or played with him, they all say the same thing: that he’s an incredible person off the field and on the field he gives whatever it takes to help the team win.”
Fragapane joins Minnesota United after two seasons with Talleres where he made appearances in the Copa Superliga, Copa Maradona, Copa Argentina, Copa Sudamericana and Copa de la Liga. He has 32 career goals, including four in the last month. The winger is a product of the Boca Juniors youth system, and made his pro debut with Boca in 2012. Fragapane was loaned out to Elche CF Ilicitano of the Spanish second division in 2014 and made his La Liga debut with the main squad against Atletico Madrid. He played one additional season in Spain with Celta B before returning to Argentina and signing with Arsenal de Sarandi. In 2017, Fragapane signed with Union Santa Fe where he scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 55 game appearances. Internationally, Fragapane had five game appearances for the U23 Argentina team in 2011 for the 2011 Pan American games, with one goal against Costa Rica.
MNUFC returns to the pitch for its fifth season in MLS. Follow Minnesota United’s social channels and check our website at mnufc.com for regular updates on the club.
Transaction: Minnesota United signs winger Franco Fragapane from Club Atlético Talleres of the Argentine Primera División to a four year contract using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).
VITALS
Franco Fragapane
Position: Winger
Date of birth: 2.6.1993 (28 years old)
Height: 5’5”
Last club: Club Atlético Talleres
Hometown: Las Heras, Argentina
Citizenship: Argentina
