United FC: Andrew Carleton signs as first Homegrown Player
Atlanta United FC is in the process of creating its first roster for the 2017 season. Atlanta United signed their first Homegrown Player last Thursday.
Atlanta United FC announced the signing of their first Homegrown Player, Andrew Carleton, on June 9. Carleton is a 15-year-old midfielder from Powder Springs, GA, and a current member of the U17 National Team.
He signed his first MLS contract surrounded by the company of the United FC front office along with owner Arthur Blank at none other than the famous Atlanta restaurant, The Varsity.
The club has described him as “a creative and technical player,” with “an attacking playing style that fits well into Atlanta United’s approach to building its first team.”
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Atlanta United seems very happy to call Carleton their first Homegrown Player, and the club is more than excited about the talent that he will bring to the 2017 team.
"“We’re excited to welcome Andrew to the club,” said Atlanta United technical director Carlos Bocanegra. “He’s an outstanding young talent with strong ties to Georgia soccer so we’re very proud to name him the first homegrown player in club history. Andrew has been a mainstay with the U.S. Youth National Teams from a young age and we look forward to watching him develop as a professional.”As part of the U15 National Team, Carleton scored seven goals in five matches in the 2015 Tournament delle Nazioni in Gradisca, Italy. In 2016, he scored two goals in four matches in the Mercedes-Benz Aegean Cup with the U17 squad.“As a new club coming into the league, it’s critical that we build a strong foundation with young, talented players from our home territory,” said Atlanta United president Darren Eales. “Andrew is a great example of the deep talent pool we have to draw from in Georgia. We’ve been very impressed with his athletic ability as well as his character off the field.”"
With the addition of Carleton, the Atlanta United roster now consists of four players, including midfielder and former member of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Junior Burgos, Ghanaian striker Jeffrey Otoo, and goalkeeper Alexander Tambakis.
Next: Junior Burgos on loan to Tampa Bay Rowdies from United FC
What is Carleton up to for now? He will be celebrating his 16th birthday in just a few days on June 22. He’s also preparing for the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup.