Major League Soccer expansion team Charlotte FC selected English center back Anton Walkes from Atlanta United in the 2021 MLS Expansion Draft on Tuesday night. Atlanta United will receive $50,000 in General Allocation Money in exchange for losing Walkes.
Walkes was part of Atlanta United’s inaugural 2017 roster as a loanee from English club Portsmouth FC. He returned to England after the 2017 season and made a permanent return to Atlanta United ahead of the 2020 season. (How was that almost two years ago? Time is broken.)
Walkes played a major role for Atlanta United throughout 2021, accumulating a team-high 2,276 minutes in 33 appearances and 32 starts in MLS play.