Atlanta United signed Powder Springs' Andrew Carleton as its first Homegrown Player on Wednesday.
Here are 10 facts about Carleton:
1. He is 15 years old. He will turn 16 on June 22. While it may seem shocking in U.S. sports that a 16-year-old could earn playing time in MLS when Atlanta United starts next year, it’s not that uncommon in the sport. There are examples across most of the world’s leagues of teenagers earning first-team minutes. Club technical director Carlos Bocanegra said they are going to be very careful with Carleton to make sure that he can handle the pressures of being a professional.
2. Carleton will join the first team at training camp in January and will get a chance to earn a spot on the roster. Should he not make the roster, he can go on loan to Charleston, Atlanta’s affiliate in the USL, or another team in the NASL, so that he can earn playing time.
3. Atlanta United beat suitors from European clubs for Carleton. Neither Bocanegra nor Carleton would name those clubs, but Bocanegra said that Carleton draws interest whenever he plays overseas. There are examples of talented Americans signing with clubs overseas. Christian Pulisic, who grew up in Hershey, Pa., left the states to join Borussia Dortmund and has earned his way into the first team for the German giants.
4. Another example of Carleton’s talent is he is playing for the U17 men’s national team despite still being 15 years old. He is in residence (or returning there) right now with the team in Florida trying to earn a spot for the World Cup.
5. Carleton is on twitter. You can follow him @andrewcarleton7. He is on Instagram at _andrewcarleton_
6. Carleton's younger brother, Alan, is in Atlanta United's academy on the U12 team.
7. Carleton is one of five siblings.
8. Carleton played his club ball at Georgia United.
9. He has been to 49 states and 13 countries.
10. He won midfielder of the year at a tournament in Italy playing for Manchester United. The tournament featured some of Europe’s top teams, including Chelsea and Ajax.
11. His first day of traditional school came on Jan. 1 this year when he enrolled at IMG’s academy.
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