Atlanta United 2 announced it has signed forward Erik López on loan from Paraguayan side Olimpia. Lopez will be added to the ATLUTD 2 roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa; and will join the Atlanta United first team on permanent transfer in January 2021.
The 18-year old Lopez has played his entire career with Olimpia, the most successful club in the Paraguayan Primera Division.
“We’re excited to add a quality young forward in Erik to our club,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said. “Although only 18 years old, he already has first team and international experience playing in Paraguay’s top division and in the Copa Libertadores. He is a versatile forward with great instincts and movement. He was highly sought after and we are pleased he chose to sign with our club. We look forward to watching him flourish in the coming years.”
López joined Olimpia’s youth academy when he was 13 years old. He worked his way through the youth ranks and made his senior team debut on August 25, 2019 against Deportivo Santani. The young striker scored on his debut in a 4-0 victory. The Asuncion, Paraguay native went on to score three goals in his first three appearances in the 2019 Clausura. He finished the campaign with 12 total appearances, scoring four goals and adding two assists. Olimpia finished the 2019 season in first place in both the Apertura and Clausura seasons.
López has played on the international level with the Paraguayan U-23 national team, most recently in Olympic Qualifying for the Tokyo games. He was the only 18-year old on the Paraguayan squad. He played three of the four matches, making one start, as Paraguay failed to qualify for the Olympics.
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Erik López
Position: Forward
Birthdate: Nov. 27, 2001 (age: 18)
Birthplace: Asuncion, Paraguay
Height: 5-9
Nationality: Paraguay
Transaction: Atlanta United 2 signs Erik López on loan from Olimpia Asuncion on July 18, 2020.
