Brian Lozano returns to Liga MX to join Atlas FC

Uruguayan midfielder Brian Lozano has returned to Liga MX. 

The player will join Atlas FC as a reinforcement ahead of the 2023 Clausura, kicking off on January 6. He stands as the first signing under new head coach Benjamin Mora, who replaced back-to-back champion Diego Cocca after his departure amid the 2022 Apertura. 

Lozano last featured for Club Santos in 2022, but suffered a grueling injury that propelled him to personally request a loan spell to Uruguay’s Peñarol. He claimed he began experiencing a loss of passion for the sport. 

"Honestly, I never thought I'd get to this point, but I'm losing my passion for something that I love and gave me so much, football," said Lozano on his social media channels.

Once recovered, Lozano made 18 appearances in the Uruguayan league. 

But now, he’s back to feature for Atlas, a team part of Grupo Orlegi, the same management that owns Santos Laguna. 

Though the team managed to break a 70-year title drought under Diego Cocca, their most recent campaign saw a completely different side. 

Atlas managed a disappointing 2022 Liga MX Apertura season, concluding in 17th with just 13 points in 17 games after setting expectations high. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs, entering the offseason before a scheduled return of November 14 to begin preparing for the 2023 Liga MX Clausura.

But new head coach Mora believes he can turn things around. 

"It was not easy at all, never in my life had I been interviewed so much, Grupo Orlegi dedicated itself to doing a scrutiny. I always had a very big dream of returning to my country to lead... today my heart is red and black, my mind is red and black Surprised to have this opportunity in Mexico. I appreciate the confidence. I know the challenge of sitting on the Atlas bench."