UPDATE: Erik Lopez joins ATL UTD 2 on loan from Olimpia; will move to the first team in 2021

UPDATE (7/18): Erik López has officially joined the club, but instead the deal will be an initial loan to ATL UTD 2, with the young striker joining the first team in January 2021.

“We are delighted to add a quality young forward in Erik to our club,” said Atlanta United vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra. “Although he is only 18 years old, he already has experience in the first and international team playing in the Paraguay Premier League and in the Copa Libertadores. He’s a versatile striker with great instincts and great movements. He was in high demand and we are delighted that he chose to sign with our club. We look forward to seeing it flourish in the years to come.

After a wave of rumors in recent weeks, Paraguayan reports indicate that striker Erik Lopez has signed a contract with Atlanta united for four years, including a team option for a fifth. Details of the transfer value have yet to be confirmed.

In addition to these tweets, ABC Cardinal reports that Lopez is no longer considered by Olimpia manager Daniel Garnero and that he trained alone instead of being with the team.

The 18-year-old arrives from Paraguayan giant Olimpia, where the player made his breakthrough after completing his first season in top-level football. Last year he made 15 starts in Clausura’s 22 games his side won by six points. He scored four goals in just over 1,000 minutes. Lopez went on to play twice for the Paraguayan Under-23 team in the CONMEBOL Olympic qualifiers in January, the last meaningful minutes he played in 2020.

It should be officially registered with the Five Stripes when the summer transfer window opens in August. The signing has yet to be confirmed by Atlanta United.