Atlanta United sign 19-year-old midfielder Dion Pereira from Watford

Tom Bogert

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Transfer

Atlanta United have acquired 19-year-old midfielder Dion Pereira from Watford, the club announced Tuesday. He is a product of the Premier League side's academy, which he joined when he was 9-years-old.

Pereira made two appearances for the senior side and excelled at the U-23 level, being named Watford’s Young Player of the Season for 2016/17. In 2017/18, he scored 13 goals for the U-23 side across 28 appearances.

Preseason just started.
But 5-Stripes don't stop.#ATLUTD signs Watford product @dion_pereira10 ➡️https://t.co/js9Ln0WAyT pic.twitter.com/tcRKrfUacF
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) January 15, 2019

“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 in a media release. “We identified him as a young, technical player who we believe will adapt well to Atlanta United and MLS.”

The announcement came not long after ATL president Darren Eales teased a "DP" signing, leading many to believe that long-rumored target Pity Martinez might be made official.