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Atlanta United 2 Sign 16-Year-Old Goalkeeper James Donaldson to First Pro Deal

Atlanta United 2 have officially signed 16-year-old goalkeeper James Donaldson to his first professional contract, continuing the club’s trend of securing top academy talent. Donaldson is signed through the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season and will join the First Team as a Homegrown Player in 2027.

From Woodstock to the Pros

Born in Nashville and raised in Woodstock, Georgia, Donaldson joined the Atlanta United Academy in 2021 from local powerhouse NASA Tophat. Since then, he has quickly developed into one of the most promising young goalkeepers in the United States.

His breakout moment came at the 2025 Generation adidas Cup, where he was named Goalkeeper of the Tournamentafter leading Atlanta’s U-16s to the semifinals. Along the way, Donaldson backstopped statement wins over Minnesota United and Mexican giants Club América, earning recognition for his calm presence and sharp shot-stopping ability.

A Contract Pathway with a Plan

The structure of Donaldson’s deal mirrors the pathway Atlanta has built for many of its brightest academy products. He’ll continue his development with Atlanta United 2 for the remainder of 2025 and the 2026 season before an automatic promotion to a Homegrown contract on January 1, 2027.

Academy and 2s teammates Kaiden Moore and Cooper Sanchez are on track for a similar promotion this coming January, highlighting how Atlanta is strategically preparing its next wave of homegrown contributors.

Changing of the Guard in Goal

Donaldson’s signing also comes at a pivotal time for the club. Atlanta United are in the midst of a major overhaul of their goalkeeping depth chart.

• Brad Guzan, the longtime starter and club legend, is in the final months of his contract.
• Josh Cohen, the current backup, faces a team option decision this winter.
• Jayden Hibbert, the 2024 SuperDraft pick, has drawn attention from the Canadian National Team after a strong rookie campaign.

With the future of the goalkeeper position wide open, the stage is set for academy-developed players like Donaldson to step into the spotlight sooner rather than later.

Not Alone: Ransom on the Rise

Donaldson isn’t the only young shot-stopper making waves. His Atlanta United 2 teammate Jonathan Ransom looks likely to sign his first professional contract this winter after impressing in limited starts during the summer. Both players were highlighted in our preseason “Young Players to Watch” feature, and both have since lived up to the billing.

Looking Ahead

Atlanta United have always been known for their high-profile attacking signings and flair in the final third. But with Donaldson and Ransom pushing through the pipeline, the next defining chapter of the club’s identity might come between the posts.

Donaldson’s contract might not grab national headlines today, but it could be the move that sets Atlanta’s goalkeeper future in motion.

Keep an eye on this one — Atlanta’s next great goalkeeper may already be in the building.