ATL UTD 2 today announced it has signed four players to its inaugural roster in goalkeeper Nicolas Caraux, midfielder Gaston Cardozo, winger Brian Gambarte and defender Shawn Nicklaw, pending league and federation approval.
Caraux and Nicklaw have professional experience throughout Europe while Cardozo and Gambarte hail from Argentina’s Newell’s Old Boys, the former club of Atlanta United head coach Tata Martino.
“I am excited to add these four players to our roster as we continue to build the group,” ATL UTD 2 head coach Scott Donnelly said. “In Nico and Shawn, we have two players with significant experience and quality who reflect the club’s core values. With Gaston and Brian, we were able to bring in very good young talents, but also continue to strengthen the bridge toward the first team as part of the club’s unified approach.”
Caraux, 26, joins ATL UTD 2 from French club FC Versailles 78. The 6-3 goalkeeper has played professionally in France with Versailles, Athletic Club de Boulogne-Billancourt (ACBB), and Lens II. Caraux also played with Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship and League One.
Nicklaw, 28, joins ATL UTD 2 after playing professionally in Iceland, Denmark and in the United States. He most recently played with FC Edmonton since 2016 and is a veteran of the NASL and USL, carrying more than 100 appearances across all competitions in the United States’ second divisions. The offensive-minded fullback has 24 caps with the Guam national team which he has represented since 2012. Nicklaw was a standout at the University of Connecticut from 2007-10.
Cardozo and Gambarte both come from Newell’s Old Boys academy system in Argentina.
ATL UTD 2’s season begins on March 24 against New York Red Bulls II at Coolray Field for the club’s inaugural match. For the full schedule, and details on ticket information for ATL UTD 2, please visitwww.atlutd/2.
PLAYER PROFILES
Name: Nicolas Caraux
Position: Goalkeeper
Birthdate: March 4, 1991 (age: 26)
Birthplace: Versailles, France
Height: 6-3
Citizenship: France
Previous Club: FC Versailles 78
Transaction: Signed with ATL UTD 2 on Feb. 6, 2018
Name: Gaston Cardozo
Position: Midfielder
Birthdate: Jan. 21, 1998 (age: 20)
Height: 5-6
Citizenship: Argentina
Previous Club: Newell’s Old Boys
Transaction: Signed with ATL UTD 2 on Feb. 6, 2018
Name: Brian Gambarte
Position: Forward
Birthdate: March 15, 1999 (age: 18)
Height: 5-7
Citizenship: Argentina
Previous Club: Newell’s Old Boys
Transaction: Signed with ATL UTD 2 on Feb. 6, 2018
Name: Shawn Nicklaw
Position: Defender
Birthdate: April 15, 1989 (age: 28)
Birthplace: San Diego, California
Height: 6-0
Citizenship: United States, Guam
Previous Club: FC Edmonton
Transaction: Signed with ATL UTD 2 on Feb. 6, 2018