Atlanta United 2 signs Panamanian international Guillermo Benítez on loan

Atlanta United 2 added fullback depth Thursday with the signing of left-footed Guillermo Benítez on loan for the 2019 season from Panama’s C.D. Plaza Amador.

“Guillermo fits the player profile we are looking for at the club,” Atlanta United 2 head coach Stephen Glass said in a media release. “He already has international experience, and I am excited to work with him and continue his development here at Atlanta United.”

Benítez, 19, made his debut for the Panama National Team when he started against the United States in a friendly Jan. 27. He has been a standout for Panama’s Youth National Teams and earned his first call up to the senior team for a friendly against Venezuela in September 2018.

During the 2018-19 season, Benítez made six starts in the Panamanian Football League for Plaza Amador, including his professional debut Aug. 11, 2018.

The left back made five starts for Panama’s U-20 squad in the 2018 Concacaf Championship and helped lead Panama’s backline which allowed only three goals to win Group D and advance to the qualification stage. Panama then finished second in Group H to qualify for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup which will take place this May in Poland.

ATL UTD 2 begins its preseason Friday, Feb. 1 ahead of its season opener March 9 against Hartford Athletic at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia.