ATLANTA, Ga. — Atlanta United 2 announced Monday the signing of Academy midfielder Ignacio “Iggy” Suarez to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through the 2026 season, with a club option for 2027. The 16-year-old Johns Creek native becomes the third Academy product to sign with the second team in 2025, joining Dominik Chong Qui and Cooper Sanchez.
“We’re excited for Ignacio to take the next step in his player development path with Atlanta United 2,” said Javier Perez, the club’s Director of Methodology. “His signing signifies a new era in our player development path. Similar to other signings this season, we want to look at prospects who can make an impact from an early age.”
Suarez’s Rise Through the Ranks
Suarez joined the Atlanta United Academy in August 2020 after developing at Concorde Fire and has been a steady riser ever since. Last season, he was a key contributor for the U-15 squad that made it to the semifinals of the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs. Suarez finished the 2023-24 campaign with 23 goals and 12 assists, an impressive return for a central midfielder.
Currently, he’s competing with the U-16 team at the Generation adidas Cup in Bradenton, Fla., where he’s continued to impress. Atlanta’s U-16s placed third in their group, highlighted by a 2-1 win over Minnesota United FC, and are set to face Club América in the Premier Bracket on Tuesday morning.
Player Profile
- Name: Ignacio “Iggy” Suarez
- Position: Midfielder
- Birthdate: April 3, 2009 (16 years old)
- Birthplace: Johns Creek, Georgia
- Citizenship: United States, Venezuela
- From: Atlanta United Academy
- Contract: Signed through 2026 with club option for 2027
What This Means
Suarez’s signing is yet another signal that Atlanta United’s development pipeline is flourishing. A technical, intelligent midfielder with attacking instincts, Suarez will now have the opportunity to adjust to the speed and physicality of professional soccer in MLS NEXT Pro, continuing to sharpen his game under the club’s training philosophy.
ATL UTD 2 Roster Snapshot (as of April 15, 2025):
Defenders (5): Nyk Sessock, Ronan Wynne, Toto Majub, Salvatore Mazzaferro, Kaiden Moore
Midfielders (6): Javier Armas, Santiago Pita, Cooper Sanchez, Ignacio Suarez, Moises Tablante, Adyn Torres^
Forwards (4): Ryan Carmichael, Arif Kovac, Rodrigo Neri, Patrick Weah
^Season-long loan
With Suarez’s signature now official, ATL UTD 2 continues building a young, dynamic squad with clear pathways toward the first team — and Suarez is the latest Academy product aiming to make that leap.
Next Up:
Catch Suarez and Atlanta’s U-16 squad Tuesday at 9 a.m. ET as they face Club América in the Generation adidas Cup Premier Bracket. The match will stream on MLS’s YouTube page, along with the U-18s’ clash with Inter Milan at 4:30 p.m. ET.
