Shortly after announcing the signing of Academy midfielder Andrew Jardines to an MLS NEXT Pro contract, Atlanta United 2 added an international signing. Brazilian forward Caio Assis will join Atlanta United 2 from América FC U-20 through the end of the 2027-2028 MLS NEXT Pro Season, with an option for 2028-2029. According to Yahoo Sports, America FC will retain 25% of Assis’s rights in the event of a future sale.
Assis joins an already crowded center forward room featuring league-leading attacker Arif Kovac, Liam Butts, and Patrick Weah. The 18-year-old center forward has worked his was through the academy systems for Fortalez and América FC before signing his first contract with América FC one year ago. He scored 3 goals in nine matches during the U-20 competition last October, plus another 5 goals at the São Paulo Junior Football Cup in January, with a total of 15 goals scored in 23 appearances for América FC.
Fans who have been closely watching the 2s center forward competition might interpret this as the club signaling an out-going move or a promotion for at least one of their current group of talented forwards. No matter what, this is another talented target for Cameron Dunbar, Enzo Dovlo, and Iggy Suarez-Couri who have united as one of the most potent attacks in the league.