Atlanta United has shifted to depend more on young talent under manager Tata Martino. The trend continues as the Five Stripes add FC Barcelona midfielder and US Youth National Team international Adrian Gill.
Gill, 20, is a product of La Masia, FC Barcelona’s famed academy, which has produced some of the best midfielders in soccer history, including Pep Guardiola, Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta. Originally from Denver, CO, Gill joined the Catalan club’s academy in 2018, having spent a year at UE Cornellà. He signed a professional contract with the club in 2022 and played with Barça’s U-18 side and their second team. Gill also has 10 caps with the US U-17 national team.
Following Bartosz Slisz’s departure, Atlanta United needed to reinforce its midfield. It also sought to transform its identity under Tata Martino. Gill helps in both departments, adding competition to the squad and bringing an intimate knowledge of the Barcelona identity, which emphasizes positional fluidity and quick passing movements.
This likely isn’t a signing that will come in and instantly take a starting spot, but rather a long-term project as Gill takes the solid foundation he acquired at La Masia and adds competitive MLS experience under Tata Martino.
What do you think of this signing? Let us know in the comments below.
Every week, Scarves and Spikes brings you original interviews, on-site coverage, live shows/podcasts, and the analysis you won’t find at the bigger national outlets. With 2026 being a World Cup year, Atlanta United facing yet another important transfer window, the U.S. Soccer National Training Center setting up shop in the Atlanta area, and NWSL Atlanta kicking off in 2028, your support helps us do even more.
What you get on Patreon:
- Atlanta United training ground updates
- Discord access — talk Atlanta soccer with the SnS team and other supporters
- Patreon-only mailbags
- Grey Gowder’s analytical deep-dives on roster construction, the academy, ATL UTD 2, and more
Start your free trial
Approve
This signing seems a bit strange, wonder if there is history or connections out there we’re not aware of. Either way, Henderson says “We’re pleased to welcome him to the club and add more competition to our group of midfielders.”
I don’t want to read too much into this, but it could simply mean a way to bring someone in cheap who has potential to remove some of the more senior players from the roster or give Tata more flexibility in his formations.
He’s definitely not a Slisz replacement though.
20 years old and has apparently only ever played games in the Spanish 4th and 5th tier. I’m not sure this is so much the replacement for Slisz. He’s listed as having been on Barca’s B team, but I can’t find anything that says he ever played a game with them, just with Cornella. Sounds like he may be more of an investment in the future.
Yeah, from what I can see on Transfermarkt, came up through Barca’s academy and U- teams, graduated to the B team for 4 months before being loaned to Cornella, then came to us directly afterward. Looks like there’s technically 8 games that Barca B played before they loaned him, but no clues as to whether he played in any of them.
Would not be surprised if he ends up playing more with the 2s, but definitely still good depth. Still looking for more CB depth to be added before preseason ends.
On supplemental spot so its basically a freeroll