Atlanta United signs Luke Brennan to Homegrown contract

“Luke has continued to progress through the ranks over the past few seasons,” Vice President Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement from the club. “He’s a talented player that can play off either wing. He got some experience with our first team during preseason, and we are looking forward to seeing him continue to develop with our MLS Next Pro team this season.”

Brennan, an 18-year-old forward, is native of Atlanta who has received a call-up to the U.S. Under-19 team.

He consistently was praised by Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda for his runs and work rate after exhibitions earlier this season. Pineda said Thursday that he likes Brennan’s physicality and his ability to consistently make sprints behind defensive lines, and that he can play from box-to-box.

“So we see that potential, but ultimately, it depends on their development, it depends on how good we are at coaching him and how good he is receiving that coaching and applying it in his game,” Pineda said.

Brennan, after scoring a goal Feb. 15 against Toluca in the preseason, said he hoped to earn a Homegrown contract. He had committed to play at South Carolina, now coached by Tony Annan, Atlanta United’s former academy director.

“I just want to keep working hard, show myself off as much as I can,” he said.

Brennan scored two goals in 27 appearances for Atlanta United 2 last season.

Atlanta United has six Homegrown signees on its roster this season: Noah Cobb, Ajani Fortune, Machop Chol, Caleb Wiley, Jackson Conway and Tyler Wolff.

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Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule

Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1

March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1

March 11 at Charlotte FC, noon, Fox

March 18 vs. Portland Timbers, 7:30 p.m.

March 25 at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.

April 1 vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

April 8 at New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.

April 15 at Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.

April 23 vs. Chicago Fire FC, 4:30 p.m., FS1

April 29 at Nashville SC, 1:30 p.m., Fox

May 6 at Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.

May 13 vs. Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m.

May 17 vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m.

May 20 at Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m.

May 27 at Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.

May 31 vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m., FS1

June 3 at Los Angeles FC, 10:30 p.m.

June 10 vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.

June 21 vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.

June 24 at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

July 2 vs. Philadelphia Union, 4 p.m., Fox

July 8 at CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

July 12 at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.

July 15 vs. Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m., FS1

Aug. 20 at Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m.

Aug. 26 vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 30 vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 2 at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Sept. 16 vs. Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23 vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7 vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 21 at FC Cincinnati, TBA