United FC expected to sign two big name players
Atlanta United FC is close to adding two big names to their 2017 roster according to reports that came on Tuesday and Wednesday. Who will United FC sign next?
Atlanta United FC is currently in the process of building their first roster for the 2017 season. With the recent June 9th addition of homegrown player Andrew Carleton, the roster currently is composed of five players: midfielder Carleton, midfielder Junior Burgos, striker Jeffrey Otoo, midfielder Chris McCann, and goalkeeper Alexander Tambakis.
Since the July 6th signing of McCann, the only other recent news to come out of United FC was a multi-year partnership agreement with American Family Insurance. American Family Insurance will sponsor the official kit, and the American Family Insurance logo will be featured on the team’s jerseys.
News began circulating around Atlanta United FC shortly after the partnership announcement. According to mlssoccer.com, United FC is “nearing agreements” with two big names: midfielder Hector Villalba and striker Kenwyne Jones.
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VIA Sam Stejskal of mlssoccer.com:
"Argentine club San Lorenzo announced on Tuesday evening that they have sold Villalba to MLS, pending a medical exam he’ll receive in Miami in the coming days. The 21-year-old has been repeatedly linked to Atlanta over the past month, with Argentine outlet Ole reporting last week that Atlanta offered San Lorenzo a $2.5 million transfer fee for the winger.If signed, Villalba would presumably go out on loan for the remainder of 2016, with Mexican side Club Tijuana reportedly an option to land him until Atlanta begins play in 2017.Villalba has spent his entire career with San Lorenzo, coming up through the youth ranks before turning pro in 2012. He’s made 89 appearances for the club in the Argentine Primera Division and was a key part of the San Lorenzo squad that won the 2014 Copa Libertadores. That 2014 team also featured Montreal Impact attacker Ignacio Piatti and New York Red Bulls Designated PlayerGonzalo Veron.In addition to potentially acquiring Villalba, the Washington Post’s Steve Goff reported on Wednesday morning that Atlanta are close to signing Jones, a longtime veteran of the Trinidad and Tobago national team.The 31-year-old has played nearly the entirety of his career in the English Premier League and Championship, spending time with Southampton, Sunderland, Stoke City and Cardiff City, among others. He was sent on loan from Cardiff to UAE-based club Al Jazira in January before being released by Cardiff following the end of the Championship season."
The 6-foot-two striker scored a total of 86 goals over the course of his time in England and would seemingly be a great addition to the 2017 roster. However, there may be reason for concern when it comes to signing Jones.
According to Doug Roberson of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “It is somewhat concerning that Jones has led a mercenary existence while in England. Not counting loans, he played for four teams in 12 years. Counting loans, he played for six clubs (Stoke City twice). It could simply be that teams valued his skills, it could be his wages were too much, it could be a few injuries that picked up during his career. Whatever the reasons, it bears watching because Atlanta United needs to be spot-on with its higher-profile signings.”
Next: United FC: Andrew Carleton signs as first Homegrown Player
The addition of these two players would put Atlanta United FC’s roster at a total of seven players as the club looks towards their inaugural 2017 season.