Atlanta United today announced it has acquired José Hernández from Caracas FC of the Venezuelan Primera Division as a Discovery Signing. The 20-year-old left back will officially join Atlanta pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.

“We identified José as one of the young talented defenders in South America and we’re thrilled that he’s committed to continuing his development with our club,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said. “In addition to his experience in first-team matches at Caracas, he’s played in big matches internationally, including this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup final against England. He’s an aggressive 1v1 defender and has the ability to get involved in the attack.”

Hernández has spent his entire professional career at Caracas FC, where the defender made his first team debut against Deportivo La Guaira on Feb. 23, 2014. A versatile defender, Hernández has the ability to play left back or in a more advanced role at wing back, and has made 25 career appearances in Venezuela’s first division. This year, he’s combined to make 14 starts during Venezuela’s 2017 season, including helping lead Caracas FC to the final of the Torneo Apertura, where the club ultimately lost to Monagas. In the Torneo Clausura, Caracas FC finished in sixth place, qualifying the club for the Copa Sudamericana.

Internationally, Hernández has represented Venezuela at the U-17 and U-20 levels. In 2013, he helped lead the U-17 squad to a second-place finish in the South American Championship, which qualified Venezuela for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup where he made two appearances. He made four appearances in the 2017 U-20 South American Championship where Venezuela finished in third place to qualify for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He went on to make four starts over five appearances at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea, helping guide Venezuela’s U-20 team to its first-ever World Cup final.

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: José Hernández

Position: Defender

Birthdate: June 26, 1997 (Age: 20)

Birthplace: Caracas, Venezuela

Height: 5-7

Citizenship: Venezuela

Previous Club: Caracas FC

Transaction: Signed with Atlanta United as a Discovery Signing from Caracas FC on Dec. 11, 2017.