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Atlanta United announced today the signing of 19-year old midfielder Dion Pereira after a transfer from Watford FC.
“We’re pleased to welcome Dion to the club and look forward to him joining the squad as we head into the 2019 season,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement. “We identified him as a young, technical player who we believe will adapt well to Atlanta United and MLS.”
Pereira has two Premier League appearances for Watford, both occurring in the final matches of Watford’s 2016-2017 season, against Leicester City and Manchester City. He was named Watford FC’s young player of the season in 2016-2017.
Pereira has spent the last three seasons playing primarily for Watford’s U-23 team in the Professional Development League. During the 2016-17 season he made 16 starts and 21 appearances and scored one goal. Pereira had a breakout year in 2017-18, as he started 27 of his 28 appearances and scored 13 goals. This season, he made eight starts in nine appearances before completing the move to join Atlanta for preseason.