Four Atlanta United players eligible for free agency, but club holds options

Atlanta United defender Brooks Lennon #11 dribbles the ball during the match against New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey on Wednesday November 3, 2021. (Photo by Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta United)

Credit: Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta United

Credit: Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta United

Atlanta United defender Brooks Lennon #11 dribbles the ball during the match against New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey on Wednesday November 3, 2021. (Photo by Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta United)

Four Atlanta United players are eligible for free agency, but the team has options on each contract, according to information released by the Major League Soccer Players Association on Thursday.

Fullback Brooks Lennon and Mikey Ambrose, goalkeeper Alec Kann and striker Erick Torres are the players.

Lennon has made 55 appearances for the club since joining before the 2020 season. He has recorded two goals and nine assists. He ranks eighth this season in the league and leads the team in key passes (70). He is receiving a guaranteed salary of $375,000 this season, according to the MLSPA salary database.

Ambrose has made four appearances with the club this season. He is receiving a guaranteed salary of $81,375 this season.

Kann has made five starts this season, his fifth with the club. He is receiving a guaranteed compensation of $115,000.

Torres has made 20 appearances this season, including five starts. He has yet to score. He is receiving a guaranteed compensation of $81,375.

According to the MLSPA, there are 127 free-agency eligible players in the league, which is a 149 percent increase from 2019-20.

The increase is a result of a lower threshold for free agency negotiated into the collective bargaining agreement. To qualify, players must be at least 24 years old and with five years of service eligibility.

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