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JJ Williams has moved to Atlanta United’s USL affiliate for the remainder of the USL season, which was initially reported by 92.9 The Game’s Jason Longshore before the 2’s match last night.
JJ Williams will be starting for @atlutd2 tonight and will be playing with them for the remainder of the USL season. https://t.co/ypkiGx8Ndw
— Jason Longshore (@Longshoe) September 2, 2020
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Doug Roberson confirmed the forward’s transition to the USL side and indicated that Williams went through a 10 day COVID protocol prior to joining up with the team.
For Williams to go from #ATLUTD to #ATLUTD2, he had to go through a COVID 10-day protocol, I'm told. As Jason tweeted, he will remain with the 2s for the rest of the season.#MLS#USL
— Doug Roberson (@DougRobersonAJC) September 2, 2020
Atlanta signed Williams from USL side Birmingham Legion, where he was on loan from MLS.
Many, including myself, immediately began to wonder if recent signing Eric López, who believed and claimed he would be playing with the first team as soon as he arrived in Atlanta, would somehow be able to move up to the first team squad.
The transition comes after César Luis Merlo’s initial report that Pity Martinez will be sold to Saudi club Al-Nassr, which was confirmed by club president Darren Eales prior to the Miami match on Wednesday.