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UPDATE, 1/21: Carlos Bocanegra said in a conference call after the Julian Gressel trade that Andrew Carleton would be loaned to Indy Eleven, confirming reports by both The Athetic’s Jeff Rueter and the AJC’s Doug Roberson
UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: Jeff Rueter from The Athletic provides an update on Carleton.
Sources telling me that #ATLUTD is working on a deal to send Andrew Carleton on loan to #IndyForever of the #USL Championship. The loan would run for the full 2020 season.
— Jeff Rueter (@jeffrueter) January 13, 2020
Carleton (19) has represented the #USMNT at the U-20 level.
The tumultuous Atlanta United career of Andrew Carleton appears set for another twist. The 19-year-old Homegrown Player was noticeably absent from the team’s first full training session of preseason. Doug Roberson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the club is attempting to find a suitable loan for the Powder Springs native.
#atlutd is sorting out a loan for Carleton. Team tbd.
— Doug Roberson (@DougRobersonAJC) January 13, 2020
The decision makes a ton of sense considering Carleton’s missteps with the team. Whether it’s been off-the-field issues or inconsistencies on it, the youngster just hasn’t been able to find his feet at the professional level.
A loan to another club where he can be challenged to earn regular minutes without the expectations of being the hometown kid and first-ever Homegrown signing seems like the best option for him.
The question now is, what destination would be best for his development? Will we see him with another MLS club? Is the USL in his future? Or could he find himself completely out of his comfort zone and trying his luck abroad? Stay tuned.