Atlanta United bolstered their attacking options Monday by signing former Columbus Crew SC forward JJ Williams from the USL Championship’s Birmingham Legion FC.
The 22-year-old’s arrival comes roughly one week after star Atlanta striker Josef Martinez sustained a season-ending ACL injury.
“JJ is someone that had been on our radar over the off-season and we’re pleased to add him to our roster,” Atlanta United vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a club statement. “He is coming off a strong season with Birmingham and will provide additional competition to our attack.”
Williams joined the Crew after being selected 18th overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft out of Kentucky as a Generation Adidas player. Williams, a native of New Mexico, scored 24 goals over 57 appearances in college for the Wildcats.
In Columbus, he appeared in seven games with the Crew and then went on loan to Birmingham, where he recorded seven goals in 21 appearances.
Columbus waived Williams at the end of last season, but retained his MLS rights because of his status as a Generation Adidas player. The league subsequently loaned Williams back to Birmingham in February.
Atlanta United’s striker corps now includes the injured Martinez, plus Williams and Adam Jahn. The team is fresh off a 2-1 victory over FC Cincinnati and visits Liga MX’s Club America for a Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals clash Wednesday.