ATLANTA – Atlanta United 2 today announced that it has signed midfielder Alan Carleton to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through the 2024 season, pending league and federation approval.
“Alan has been a talented player for the Atlanta United Academy since joining our original class in 2016,” Atlanta United Academy Director Matt Lawrey said. “He is a very technically and tactically gifted player who has shown great composure on the ball in the midfield. We are excited to see him continue his development with our MLS NEXT Pro team this season.”
Carleton, 17, was a member of the first-ever Atlanta United Academy team to take the field in 2016 at the Generation Adidas Cup. He’s continued to progress through the Academy ranks and earned his professional debut last year with ATL UTD 2 in a 2-1 win at Hartford on April 3. His first start for ATL UTD 2 came on August 10 on the road at New York Red Bulls II. He finished his first professional season with 12 appearances, including two starts, and 276 total minutes played.
The Powder Springs, Georgia native becomes the seventh former Atlanta United Academy player on this year’s MLS NEXT Pro roster to sign a professional contract. Alan’s older brother Andrew Carleton was the first homegrown signing for the franchise in 2016.
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Alan Carleton
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-8
Birthdate: Mar. 19, 2005 (17)
Birthplace: Powder Springs, Georgia
Nationality: USA
Transaction: Atlanta United 2 signs Alan Carleton on Mar. 15, 2023.
2023 Atlanta United 2 roster (as of March 15, 2023)
Goalkeepers (3): Justin Garces^, Sebastian Guerra, Vicente Reyes
Defenders (4): Efrain Morales^, Nelson Orji, Raimar, Kofi Twumasi
Midfielders (6): Alan Carleton, Nick Firmino, David Mejia, Emenike Nwogu, Toni Tiente, , Jonantan Villal
Forwards (4): Luke Brennan, Erik Centeno^, Karim Tmimi, Tyler Young
^- On loan from Atlanta United through 2023 season
