Atlanta United 2 Adds Academy Goalkeeper James Donaldson

Atlanta United 2 has officially secured the services of promising Academy goalkeeper James Donaldson, inking him to a contract that runs through the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign. The talented 16-year-old will transition to Homegrown Player status beginning January 1, 2027.

A Testament to Academy Development

“James exemplifies the remarkable progress we see throughout our Academy system,” commented Atlanta United Director of Methodology Javier Peréz. “His signing represents another milestone in his developmental journey. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness yet another Academy talent advance through our pathway system. We eagerly anticipate James’s continued progression from Academy level through our second team and ultimately to the First Team.”

Rising Through the Ranks

Donaldson’s journey with Atlanta United began in August 2021 when he joined the Academy from NASA Tophat as a member of their U-13 team. The Nashville native has steadily climbed through the developmental ranks, showcasing his abilities at each level.

During the 2025 season with Atlanta United’s U16 Academy team, the Woodstock resident proved his worth between the posts, recording an impressive seven clean sheets across 1,966 minutes of action.

Tournament Excellence (2025 GA Cup)

Donaldson’s abilities were on full display during the 2025 Generation adidas Cup, where he played a pivotal role in Atlanta United’s U-16 squad reaching the semifinal stage. The team’s impressive run included victories over Minnesota United’s U16 team and Liga MX powerhouse Club América. Donaldson’s exceptional tournament performance earned him the prestigious Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.

International Recognition

The young goalkeeper has already begun making his mark on the international stage, earning multiple call-ups to represent the U.S. U15 Youth National Team.

Due to his dual citizenship, Donaldson also maintains eligibility to represent England at the international level.