Inter Miami CF announced today the signing of Venezuelan international striker Josef Martnez, a former Landon Donovan MLS MVP. After six seasons with Atlanta United, the one-time MVP, MLS Cup champion, MLS golden boot winner, US Open Cup winner, and Campeones Cup champion will join Inter Miami.
“Josef is a champion and adding him to our group is exciting for us as we head into the 2023 season. He’s been one of the best players in the league since he first arrived and we believe he’ll make a difference here at Inter Miami,” said Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson. “We’re adding a proven goalscorer with a track record of success in MLS. We’re thrilled to have a player like Josef in our attack.”
“I’m excited for the opportunity to represent Inter Miami and give the best of myself. This is a club with high aspirations and that aims to be amongst the best in the league. I hope to help the team achieve its objectives and leave my mark at the club,” said Martínez.
Martnez will be unveiled to supporters at a special halftime ceremony at Inter Miami’s international friendly versus Vasco da Gama on Saturday, Jan. 21.
In six seasons with Atlanta, Martínez, 29, accomplished plenty. He was selected to the MLS Best XI each of his first three seasons, an All-Star in 2018 and 2019, the Landon Donovan MLS MVP, and the MLS Cup MVP in 2018. He also led the team to U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup titles in 2019, won MLS golden boot with 31 goals in 2018, won MLS Goal of the Year in 2019 and 2022, holds the league’s all-time hat trick record with six and single-season mark with three (2017 and 2018), and became the fastest player in MLS history to score 100 goals in all competitions in 125 games.
The Venezuelan striker scored 19 goals in his debut year with Atlanta in 2017. Martínez then became the first MLS player to win All-Star, regular season, and MLS Cup MVP awards in the same season in 2018. He won MLS’ Golden Boot with 31 goals in 2018, shattering the league’s regular season scoring record of 27, and added four more in the MLS Cup Playoffs to set the league’s combined scoring record with 35 goals in a season and help Atlanta win its first MLS Cup. Martínez scored 103 goals and assisted 17 in 144 MLS matches, including playoffs.
