Atlanta United announced today it has acquired forward JJ Williams, who was previously on loan with Birmingham Legion FC.

“JJ is someone that had been on our radar over the offseason and we’re pleased to add him to our roster,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said. “He is coming off a strong season with Birmingham and will provide additional competition to our attack.”

A Generation adidas signing prior to the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, Williams was selected with the 18th pick by Columbus Crew SC and went on to make seven MLS appearances and three starts. Williams was then loaned to Birmingham where he made 23 appearances in 2019. The forward finished joint-first in goals scored (seven), third in shots (41), and eighth in chances created (15) for Birmingham in the regular season. Additionally, he scored the winning goal in Legion FC’s 3-2 win over North Carolina FC in the play-in round of the 2019 USL Championship Playoffs.

Williams played three seasons (2016-2018) at the University of Kentucky and made 57 appearances (30 starts), scored 24 goals and provided 15 assists. He was a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, a First-Team All-American, and the Conference USA Player of the Year in 2018.

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: JJ Williams

Position: Forward

Birthdate: Jan. 4, 1998 (age: 22)

Birthplace: Clovis, New Mexico

Height: 6-4

Nationality: USA

Transaction: Atlanta United acquires JJ Williams on March 8, 2020.

2020 Atlanta United roster (as of March 9, 2020)

Goalkeepers (3): Brad Guzan, Alec Kann, Brendan Moore

Defenders (10): George Bello, George Campbell, Edgar Castillo, Franco Escobar, Jon Gallagher*, Brooks Lennon, Fernando Meza, Patrick Nielsen****, Miles Robinson, Anton Walkes, Laurence Wyke

Midfielders (7): Mo Adams, Ezequiel Barco, Andrew Carleton***, Luiz Fernando, Emerson Hyndman, Jeff Larentowicz, Eric Remedi, Jake Mulraney, Matheus Rossetto, Manuel Castro

Forwards (5): Adam Jahn, Lagos Kunga**, Josef Martinez, Pity Martinez, JJ Williams

* - on loan with Aberdeen

** - on loan with Phoenix Rising

***- on loan with Indy Eleven

**** - unsigned SuperDraft pick