Talented US youth prospect Will Vint has joined Atlanta United’s academy after his move to Manchester United failed to reach fruition due to visa issues, a move originally reported by ESPN FC.
Vint, 16, is a slick-passing midfielder who rose through the academy system at youth club Real Colorado before catching on with Man U last summer after undergoing trial stints with the Red Devils in addition to Fulham and Everton. His father Peter, a former U.S. Olympic Committee executive, ran Everton’s academy for several years.
His father’s departure from Everton last year eventually led to the expiration of his UK work visa, which forced Vint to leave Manchester United earlier this year. After visiting several MLS youth academies, he selected Atlanta and began working at the club on Friday.
“I'm really excited to really just start playing again, and I think Atlanta is a club that can challenge me and really bring me to my full potential,” Vint told ESPN FC’s Jeff Carlisle. “The people here are really nice and really supportive and I think I'll really be able to improve ... in this environment.”
Atlanta academy director Tony Annan told Carlisle that he expects Vint to soon be accelerated up to ATLUTD2, the Five Stripes’ USL side.
“I think Vint's got a really high ceiling. We'll push him to the USL team really quickly to give him a test and see what he's got," said Annan. “He'll factor into the USL, if not this season in October, then definitely at the beginning of the next season he'll be involved. Based on his ability and the environment he's come from, he should be tested, but he has to earn that right.”
