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What a few weeks its been for Anton Walkes. The 20-year-old versatile defender on-loan from Tottenham Hotspur seemed like a surplus to team needs through the first three months of the season as he was used sparingly. Fast forward to Tuesday night and he was making his third straight league start at right back in place of Tyrone Mears and scoring the game-winning goal in a 4-2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.
.@AntonWalkes make it 3-2
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) July 5, 2017
What a time to score your first ever goal for #ATLUTD! pic.twitter.com/MlkwX1n3gh
Walkes told tottenhamhotspur.com that his parents, watching from his home country of England, were awake all night to watch their son score his big goal and were unable to sleep afterwards.
“I’ve been in contact with my family and they’re over the moon, so that’s really humbled me and made me value it even more. My mum and dad were watching live, they stayed up all the way back at home and they couldn’t get to sleep after that either! It was great to speak to my mum and dad and a few of my closest friends back home as well.” — Anton Walkes; Source: tottenhamhotspur.com
What a great story to accompany a moment the youngster will remember for a long time. It’s great to see him proving his worth with Atlanta United and to see him becoming a very important player for the club heading into the second half of the inaugural season. Who knows what the future holds for young Anton, but at this rate he’ll be welcome in Atlanta for as long as he’s able to stay.