Atlanta United 2 Adds Future Homegrown James Donaldson
Atlanta United 2 has officially announced the signing of Academy goalkeeper James Donaldson to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through the 2026 season. The Woodstock native and U.S. Youth National Team prospect will become a Homegrown player effective Jan. 1, 2027, marking the latest step in Atlanta United’s commitment to developing top young talent through its Academy pipeline.
“James has displayed tremendous growth since his arrival at the Academy, and this is another step forward for him as he continues his development,” said Javier Peréz, Atlanta United Director of Methodology. “We are very excited to see another exciting Academy prospect take the next step forward in their career. We are looking forward to watching James continue on the pathway from the Academy, to the second team and on to the First Team.”
Who Is James Donaldson?
Donaldson, just 16 years old, joined the Atlanta United Academy in 2021 from NASA Tophat, a well-respected Georgia youth soccer program. Since then, he has consistently impressed with his shot-stopping, composure, and maturity beyond his years.
- Birthdate: March 20, 2009 (16 years old)
- Hometown: Woodstock, GA (born in Nashville, Tenn.)
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Citizenship: United States, England
- International Experience: U.S. U-15 Youth National Team, with eligibility to represent England as well
During the 2025 Academy season, Donaldson posted seven shutouts in 1,966 minutes played for Atlanta United’s U-16 side. His standout moment came at the 2025 Generation adidas Cup, where he helped lead the team to the semifinals with key wins over Minnesota United U-16 and Mexican giants Club América. His performance earned him Goalkeeper of the Tournament honors, a distinction that places him among the top prospects in his age group nationwide.
Atlanta United’s Homegrown Pathway on Display
Atlanta United’s player development model continues to show results, with Donaldson the latest in a growing list of Academy players transitioning to Atlanta United 2 and eventually the First Team.
Donaldson’s pathway mirrors that of other Atlanta Homegrowns, such as Cooper Sanchez’s recent rise with ATL UTD 2 and Patrick Weah’s impact in MLS NEXT Pro. By signing with ATL UTD 2 now, Donaldson gains valuable professional experience while preparing for a long-term future with the senior squad.
Atlanta United 2’s Current Roster
Following Donaldson’s addition, Atlanta United 2’s roster as of Sept. 2, 2025 includes:
- Goalkeepers (1): James Donaldson
- Defenders (4): Ronan Wynne, Toto Majub, Salvatore Mazzaferro, Kaiden Moore*
- Midfielders (5): Javier Armas, Santiago Pita, Ignacio Suarez, Moises Tablante, Adyn Torres^
- Forwards (4): Ryan Carmichael, Arif Kovac, Rodrigo Neri, Patrick Weah
(^ Season-long loan from Atlanta United · *On loan with Philadelphia Union II)
What This Means
For Atlanta United fans, this signing is more than just a roster move — it’s another investment in the future of the 5-Stripes Academy pipeline. Donaldson’s presence in MLS NEXT Pro will accelerate his development and give Atlanta a long-term solution in goal, while also strengthening the team’s depth in a position that requires confidence and consistency.
If his trajectory continues, Donaldson could follow the path of former Academy graduates who earned Homegrown contracts and became key contributors at the MLS level.
What’s Next
Atlanta United 2 continues its MLS NEXT Pro campaign, and Donaldson will now be available for selection as he begins his professional career. Fans should keep a close eye on his development over the next two seasons as he prepares for his Homegrown promotion in 2027.
Catch Atlanta United 2 on MLS Season Pass (Apple TV) and stay updated on ASN for the latest Academy and First Team news.
What do you think of Atlanta United 2 signing James Donaldson — the next big goalkeeper from Georgia? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the discussion on social media using #ATLUTD and #ATLUTD2.
