Atlanta United today announced it has signed goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard from Atlanta United 2 to a one-year contract with two additional option years.
“Ben has been a model of consistency and hard work since joining Atlanta United 2 and he’s earned an opportunity with the First Team,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said. “He’s still young for his position and has a great opportunity to learn from our current group of goalkeepers, while providing additional competition.”
Lundgaard, 25, joins Atlanta United after playing one season with ATL UTD 2. He started 13 matches and finished sixth in the USL Championship with 47 saves, two of which were penalties.
The 6-foot-6 keeper came to Atlanta after playing for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in 2019 where he was on loan from Columbus Crew SC. Lundgaard was drafted by the Crew with the 21st overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft and spent the 2018 season on loan with Indy Eleven.
Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Lundgaard played four seasons at Virginia Tech where he made 70 appearances and registered 23 shutouts, the second-most in program history. In his senior 2017 season, Lundgaard was named to the First Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference after leading the conference in saves and posting six shutouts.
Lundgaard also spent time with New York Red Bulls U-23s in the Premier Development League, now known as USL League Two, and was named the 2017 PDL Goalkeeper of the Year after making 13 appearances and allowing just 10 goals.
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Ben Lundgaard
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-6
Birthdate: Sept. 25, 1995 (age: 25)
Birthplace: Wilmington, Delaware
Citizenship: USA
Transaction: Atlanta United signs Ben Lundgaard to a one-year contract with two additional option years on March 4, 2021.
2021 Atlanta United roster (as of March 4, 2021)
Goalkeepers (3): Brad Guzan, Alec Kann, Ben Lundgaard
Defenders (10): Mikey Ambrose, George Bello, George Campbell, Franco Escobar*, Ronald Hernández, Brooks Lennon, Fernando Meza**, Efrain Morales, Miles Robinson, Anton Walkes
Midfielders (11): Mo Adams, Ezequiel Barco, Machop Chol, Jürgen Damm, Emerson Hyndman, Franco Ibarra, Marcelino Moreno, Jake Mulraney, Matheus Rossetto, Santiago Sosa, Tyler Wolff
Forwards (5): Jackson Conway, Erik Lopez, Lisandro López, Josef Martinez, Erick “Cubo” Torres
* – on loan with Newell’s Old Boys
** – on loan with Defensa y Justicia