Just over a week after the dramatic end to Atlanta United 2’s season, the club announced the signing of academy goalkeeping prospect and 2s starter Jonathan Ransom to his first professional contract. He will return to Atlanta United 2 for the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season before becoming a Homegrown Player in 2027. The contract is guaranteed through 2028 with options for 2029 and 2030.
After making his 2s debut during the 2024 season, Ransom has impressed with Atlanta United’s second team, cementing himself as a regular starter during the team’s successful late-season run, including becoming the youngest Atlanta United goalkeeper to earn a clean sheet in a professional competition. He also earned call-ups from the Canadian youth national teams. This comes after an already long and accomplished academy career with the club, from Atlanta United’s U-12 team to a Homegrown Player contract.
From his first honors as the 2019 U-12 Generation Adidas Cup Golden Glove winner to the 2025 MLS NEXT All-Star Game, Ransom has excelled at each level. But the honor that may be the most meaningful for Ransom is the 2025 Christian Carillo award, made in honor of Ransom’s former teammate and goalkeeper union partner, who was tragically lost in an auto accident in 2022. This award, voted on by Academy coaches, recognizes the player recognized as the best teammate.
“Jonathan has been another excellent example of the importance of the link between the Academy and the First Team,” said Director of Methodology Javier Peréz. “It has been incredible to witness Jonathan’s accomplishments with the Academy and his growth with the second team, and we can’t wait to see how he continues to progress through the Club’s pathway.”
Just a few weeks ago, Ransom was our top academy candidate to be the next Homegrown Player signing:
At the top of my list of current academy players is the unsigned member of Atlanta United’s highly talented goalkeeper trio of Jayden Hibbert, James Donaldson, and Ransom. With Brad Guzan and Josh Cohen’s contracts coming to an end after the 2025 season and 2024 SuperDraft pick Jayden Hibbert the heir apparent, the club looks ready for a reset at the position. Ransom continues to look very promising as he strings together a respectable series of starts in MLS NEXT Pro for the 2s this season. Though he may not be ready for MLS for another year or two, that should not be a problem with Hibbert ready to take on lead goalkeeping duties with the MLS side in 2026.
One important thing to watch when evaluating goalkeepers is their feet. Their hands can do a lot, but they won’t be effective if the feet are in the right place. Good footwork when defending can help a keeper overcome height limitations and can make their shot-stopping abilities skyrocket. Ransom has some of the best footwork we have seen from this academy. That also translates to when he has the ball at his feet, with consistent improvement in his passing and distribution.
With Ransom’s academy teammate James Donaldson already under contract, Ransom and Donaldson represent a compelling young depth chart at the goalkeeping position as the club prepares to move on from club legend Brad Guzan. With Jayden Hibbert as the presumptive starting goalkeeper for 2026 and with a lot of opportunity for young talent behind him in the depth chart, the Atlanta United goalkeeping depth chart has never looked more exciting.
Congratulations to Jonathan Ransom!
[…] group of players departing and the first multi-player announcement of the offseason. Santiago Pita, Jonathan Ransom, and James Donaldson all signed their first contracts and have been active in preseason training […]
Good for him. How tall is he?
His current height is irrelevant. He is only 17, so you have to assume he is still growing.
If he’s 5’8 at 17, it is unlikely he will get to 6 feet. If he were 15, you’d be right about his current height not meaning much. But he’s not.
I was just curious anyway and couldn’t find anything online right away listing his height.