Will Vint joins Atlanta United academy after blocked Manchester United move

Atlanta United’s talented academy continues to grow in a major way, as 16-year-old American Will Vint joins the club after visa issues halted a proposed move to Manchester United.

Vint signed with the English powerhouse last July before the paperwork failed to come together. The young standout told ESPN that although his situation wasn’t ideal, he’s thrilled to be joining Atlanta.

“I think Atlanta is a club that can challenge me and really bring me to my full potential,” said Vint. “The people here are really supportive and I think I’ll be able to improve and thrive in this environment.”

Peter Vint, Will’s father, was the former academy director at Everton but left the club in March of 2017. Eventually, his original work visa expired, forcing Will and his mother to leave the country due to a FIFA rule stating that a foreign player under 18 can only sign with a club if accompanied by a parent who is working in the country with a valid visa.

Although surely disappointing for young Vint, he was enticed by Atlanta’s proposition.

“The big thing was getting opportunities with the USL team and maybe into the first team for preseason next season,” said Vint in his interview with ESPN. “The opportunity to play with the older players is appealing to me...telling me straight off the bat that I’m going to have those opportunities really helped draw me in.”

It is important to mention that Manchester United have not ruled out trying to bring Vint into the club again later on, according to ESPN’s Rob Dawson.

For now however, the talented midfielder known for his passing is a member of the Five Stripes. Let’s see how quickly he sees time with Atlanta United 2.