Atlanta United has signed Emerson Hyndman on a contract through 2022.

The club paid an undisclosed transfer fee to Bournemouth in the English Premier League for the midfielder, who spent part of the 2019 MLS season on loan with the Five Stripes.

“We’re excited to bring back Emerson on a permanent deal,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement. “He played an important role in our midfield after joining the team mid-season and will add competition and depth to our group as we prepare to play in various competitions in 2020.”

Hyndman, 23, made 15 appearances, including 10 starts for Atlanta United. He scored one goal with three assists in league games. He added goals against Club America in the Campeones Cup and Orlando in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal.

Hyndman is the third player signed by Atlanta United in the offseason, joining Brooks Lennon who was acquired in  trade with Real Salt Lake, and Jeff Larentowicz, who re-signed as a free agent.

Hyndman can play defensive midfielder, central midfielder or attacking midfielder. His versatility could be key in helping manager Frank de Boer be fluid with his choices of formation. The team traded Darlington Nagbe to Columbus in the offseason.

Atlanta United acquired Hyndman’s MLS rights from Dallas during the summer in exchange for $200,000 in General Allocation Money and an International slot in 2019 and 2020.

Hyndman signed with Fulham when he was 15 years old in 2011. He signed with Bournemouth in 2016, going on loan to Rangers in 2017 and later Hibernian in Scotland.

He has been capped by the U.S. men’s national team, as well as playing for its clubs on the youth level.

Atlanta United’s roster for 2020 season after Monday’s announcement (with position):

Mo Adams, WB/DM

Ezequiel Barco, M/S

George Bello, FB/WB

George Campbell, CB

Andrew Carleton, M

Franco Escobar, CB/FB/WB

Jon Gallagher, S

Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, CB

Julian Gressel, M/WB

Brad Guzan, GK

Emerson Hyndman, DM/CM

Lagos Kunga, S

Jeff Larentowicz, DM/CB

Brooks Lennon, FB/WB/M

Josef Martinez, S

Pity Martinez, AM/S

Brendan Moore, GK

Luiz Nascimento, M/S

Dion Pereira, M

Eric Remedi, DM/CM

Miles Robinson, CB

Hector Villalba, M/S

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta United goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert gestures during the match against Toronto FC at BMO Field in Toronto, on Saturday July 12, 2025. (Mitch Martin/Courtesy of Atlanta United)

Credit: Mitch Martin/Atlanta United

Featured

In 2022, Georgia Power projected its winter peak electricity demand would grow by about 400 megawatts by 2031. Since then, Georgia has experienced a boom of data centers, which require a large load of electricty to run, and Georgia Power's recent forecast shows peak demand growing by 20 times the 400-megawatt estimate from just three years ago. (Illustration by Philip Robibero/AJC)

Credit: Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC