Atlanta United acquire Brooks Lennon from Real Salt Lake

Atlanta United have made their first addition ahead of the 2020 season. The club announced on Monday that it has acquired midfielder/defender Brooks Lennon from Real Salt Lake. In exchange, the Five Stripes are sending $300,000 in allocation money back, evenly split between TAM and GAM.

Lennon, 22, is a U.S. youth international who has represented his country at the U17, U18 and U20 levels.

“Brooks is a versatile young player and we are pleased to add him to our club,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said in a press release. “In addition to his vast experience on the international level with U.S. Youth National Teams, he has proven to be a reliable starter in MLS. He can play both fullback and wing positions and we expect him to have an integral role in our long-term plans.”

The Arizona-native spent a few years with Liverpool’s youth academy before being acquired by his hometown Real Salt Lake first by loan in 2017 and then permanently the following season.

During his time in Utah he has notched three goals and 10 assists in 86 total appearances in the regular season. Lennon is a predominantly right-sided player but is versatile enough to play either winger or fullback position.

Depth at all of those positions was a big problem for Atlanta United, especially when Franco Escobar went down with injury. It remains to be seen exactly how Lennon fits into the squad, but he surely adds to Frank de Boer’s options in key areas.