ATLANTA — Atlanta United announced Monday it has exercised the transfer option on defender Ronald Hernández from Aberdeen FC. The Venezuelan spent the 2021 season with Atlanta United on loan from the Scottish Premiership side. Hernández has signed a contract through the 2024 season and will occupy an international roster spot upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
“Ronald is a talented and versatile defender who we’re pleased to add permanently to our roster,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said. “After coming in last season on loan, he was able to re-integrate himself into the Venezuela National Team after playing valuable minutes for our club. We look forward to Ronald continuing to add competition for playing time in our team.”
The Barinas, Venezuela native joined Atlanta United on loan before the 2021 season. He finished the campaign with 13 matches played including eight starts. He scored his first career MLS goal on July 21 at Cincinnati to secure a 1-1 draw. Hernández played a total of 634 minutes last season for Atlanta.
Hernández, 24, began his professional career with Zamora FC of the Venezuelan Primera División where he played from 2015-17. He signed with Norwegian club Stabæk in August of 2017 where he spent three seasons and made 61 appearances across all competitions. Hernández became a regular starter in 2019 when he made 27 appearances in Eliteserien play and totaled four assists.
Hernández moved to Aberdeen in January 2020 and made two appearances at the end of the 2019-2020 season. He made four appearances during the 2020-21 Premiership season prior to joining Atlanta United.
Hernández made his debut with the Venezuelan National Team as a starter in a World Cup Qualifying match against Paraguay on October 11, 2017. Last season, Hernández made 10 appearances for Venezuela, including scoring his first goal for the national team on June 20 in a 2-2 draw vs. Ecuador in the Copa America. He’s earned 27 total caps, including 19 starts for his country’s senior national team. Hernández also played every minute of the 2017 U-20 World Cup in South Korea where Venezuela reached the finals.
Player Profile
Name: Ronald Hernández
Position: Defender_
Height:_ 5-8
Weight: 165Birthdate: Sept. 21, 1997 (24)*
Birthplace:* Barinas, VenezuelaNationality: Venezuela
Transaction: Atlanta United signs Ronald Hernández via transfer from Aberdeen FC on January 17, 2022.
2022 Atlanta United roster (as of Jan. 17, 2022)
Goalkeepers (4): Dylan Castanheira, Justin Garces, Brad Guzan, Bobby Shuttleworth
Defenders (11): Mikey Ambrose, George Bello, George Campbell, Alex De John, Alan Franco, Andrew Gutman, Ronald Hernández, Brooks Lennon, Efrain Morales, Miles Robinson, Bryce Washington
Midfielders (11): Osvaldo Alonso, Ezequiel Barco, Jürgen Damm, Emerson Hyndman, Franco Ibarra, Marcelino Moreno, Jake Mulraney, Matheus Rossetto, Amar Sejdic, Santiago Sosa, Tyler Wolff
Forwards (5): Luiz Araújo, Machop Chol, Jackson Conway, Erik López, Josef Martínez
