Atlanta United has signed U.S. youth international Brandon Vazquez.
Vazquez, 18, is a 6-foot-3 forward who was playing in the academy of Club Tijuana, which is in Mexico’s first division. Hector Villalba, another Atlanta United player, is also on loan with the Xolos.
Vazquez is a native of Chula Vista, Calif. who made his national debut with U.S. under-17 team in 2015 in a 5-2 win over Bermuda. He followed that by scoring three goals in a 4-0 win, also against Bermuda.
He has made appearances for the U.S. U19s, where he hit a perfect free kick from 30 yards to defeat Spain 1-0 in the COTIF tournament in August. He has four goal this year with the U19s.
“Brandon has the natural goal scoring ability you look for in young forwards,” Atlanta United Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement from the team. “He’ll have every opportunity to contribute to our first team and to develop and progress with the national team.”
Vazquez is one of several players who have experience within the U.S. youth national teams to sign with Atlanta United. That group includes Andrew Carleton and Chris Goslin, the club’s first two Homegrown Players.
Vazquez is a Discovery Signing, one of the numerous mechanisms used in MLS to acquire players.
Atlanta United has also signed goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, midfielders Junior Burgos and Chris McCann, and forwards Kenwyne Jones and Jeffrey Otoo. The club is expected to complete a trade with Philadelphia for midfielder Kevin Kratz when the window opens on Dec. 11.
Atlanta United will begin play in Major League Soccer in 2017.
Brandon Vazquez
Position: Forward.
Age: 18.
Height/Weight: 6-3/175.
Birthplace: Chula Vista, Calif.
Previous club: Club Tijuana (Mexico).
