UPDATED: The loan is now official.
Battery sign Jeremy Ebobisse on loan from MLS: https://t.co/xCxlQ4L5qD #cb93 #USL #MLS pic.twitter.com/MWRZgFEIgS
— Charleston Battery (@Chas_Battery) August 26, 2016
Well the 2017 MLS SuperDraft just got very interesting from Atlanta United's perspective. Last week we learned that Duke University and U.S. U-20 striker, Jeremy Ebobisse will sign a contract with Major League Soccer early and forego his Junior year in college.
Today it has been reported by Steven Goff of the Washington Post that Ebobisse will join the Charleston Battery for the remainder of the USL season before entering the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
Getting word MLS signing @kingjebo will join @Chas_Battery for remainder of USL season, then enter MLS draft in January
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) August 22, 2016
That just so happens to be the USL affiliate of Atlanta United FC, a team that is guaranteed one of the top two picks in the upcoming draft.
Does that necessarily mean that the Ebobisse to Atlanta United is in the cards? It seems like more than a coincidence from our point of view, but there are a few feasible explanations.
He did play his college soccer at Duke. Playing nearby in Charleston could help him further his academic career and make it easier on him as he transitions to his new professional life.
This news no doubt will make it extremely easy on Atlanta United to scout him heavily and have all the information the need on him as they head into a very important draft for their franchise’s future.
Ebobisse will face some competition for playing time in Charleston as the team already has strikers like Romario Williams, Ricky Garbanzo, Chris Tsonis, and Atlanta United loanee Jeffrey Otoo already on their roster.
Carlos Bocanegra and Darren Eales will no doubt be doing their homework on Ebobisse when he’s with Charleston. We’ll just have to wait and see if they like what they witness and are ready to make him their first ever draft pick.