:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55490119/kunga_williamson_3.0.png)
On Wednesday morning the Charleston Battery announced the signing of 18-year-old United States youth international Lagos Kunga to a full-season USL contract. Kunga previously played for the Battery in a friendly last summer against the Nigerian Olympic Team. On June 17th, Kunga signed a professional contact with Atlanta United and will be a counted as a homegrown player as of January 1st, 2018. Kunga was born in Angola and emigrated to the Atlanta area as a child.
The Kunga bandwagon really picked up steam with his inclusion by Tab Ramos in the USA’s U-20 World Cup roster in South Korea. Kunga was a solid contributor to the side coming off the bench, making four appearances in the tournament and scoring the final goal off a nice sequence with Luca de la Torre in the USA’s 6-0 victory against New Zealand.
Kunga’s good form has continued as he’s made 21 appearances for Atlanta’s U-18 academy this season, scoring 10 goals.
In addition to signing with the Battery, Atlanta United announced today that Kunga has signed a Short Term Agreement for today’s U.S. Open Cup match against Miami FC. An MLS club may sign a player to a maximum of four short term agreements each season (maximum of 16 days).
As a result of the loan agreement, expect to see Kunga on the field tonight for Atlanta United. He will then head to Charleston where he hopes to continue his development for a Battery club that currently sit in first place in the USL’s Eastern Conference.