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According to MLSSoccer.com’s Sam Stejskal, Atlanta United are close to acquiring goalkeeper Sean Johnson from the Chicago Fire.
The 27-year-old Lilburn, GA native was once believed to be one of the heir apparents to Tim Howard’s starting job with the USMNT, however it hasn’t gone his way the last few years with the Fire.
United would be giving Chicago some general allocation money in return for Johnson.
It’s not certain that Johnson would automatically be the Atlanta’s starting goalkeeper. He spent a good portion of last season on the bench after a rough run of form.
Sean Johnson had a base salary of $253,000 last season and had his option picked up by the Fire earlier this week.
This move isn’t too surprising as Johnson is local to the area and is in desperate need of a change of scenery. There’s also the factor of familiarity. Atlanta United’s goalkeeper coach, Aron Hyde, worked with Johnson in Chicago. Perhaps a reunion between the two can see a return to top form for the once promising USMNT prospect.
The deal will likely be announced during the December 11 three-hour trade window. Atlanta and Chicago declined to comment according to the report.