Atlanta United signs sixth Homegrown Player

George Campbell was signed as Atlanta United’s sixth Homegrown Player, the club announced Tuesday. The signing of the 18-year-old defender will be effective on Jan. 1, 2020.

Campbell was born in Chester, Pa. and joined the Atlanta United Academy during its first season in 2016-17. Campbell has spent the majority of this season with Atlanta United 2 of the USL. He has played in 11 games, including 10 starts. He ranks second on the team with 20 interceptions, 74 duels won and eight blocks. He ranks third with 34 clearances.

“George has shown remarkable progress at each step in his development and he’s earned a professional contract with our club,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement. “As a member of our inaugural Academy teams in 2016, he’s worked hard to utilize the club’s pathway to the professional level, highlighted by his form in USL this season – most of which came before his 18th birthday. He’s just starting to scratch the surface of what he can be in the future, and that’s a testament to his commitment to improve, as well as the program that we have in place through Tony Annan and Stephen Glass.”