Atlanta United announced today it has signed midfielder Dion Pereira via transfer from Watford. The 19-year-old joins Atlanta following 10 years within English Premier League side Watford’s system and will be added to the roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa. Pereira made two appearances with Watford’s first team in 2017 and has also featured regularly for the club’s U-23 team. Pereira

“We’re pleased to welcome Dion to the club and look forward to him joining the squad as we head into the 2019 season,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said. “We identified him as a young, technical player who we believe will adapt well to Atlanta United and MLS.”

Pereira joined Watford at the U-9 level and progressed within the club to make his Premier League debut on May 6, 2017 against Leicester City. He earned his second appearance on the final day of the season against Manchester City, and was named Watford’s Young Player of the Season for 2016-2017. Pereira has spent the last three seasons playing primarily for Watford’s U-23 team in the Professional Development League.

During the 2016-17 season he made 16 starts and 21 appearances and scored one goal. Pereira had a breakout year in 2017-18, as he started 27 of his 28 appearances and scored 13 goals. This season, he made eight starts in nine appearances before completing the move to join Atlanta for preseason.

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Dion Pereira

Position: Midfielder

Birthdate: March 25, 1999 (age: 19)

Birthplace: Watford, England

Nationality: England, Portugal

Transaction: Atlanta United signed Dion Pereira via transfer from Watford on Jan. 15, 2019.