Atlanta United announced today that it has signed free agent goalkeeper Clement Diop to a one-year contract through 2023 with a club option until 2024. Diop started last season with Inter Miami CF before a mid-season trade. The New England Revolution.
“Clement brings additional MLS experience to our roster and goalkeeping group,” Atlanta United vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a press release. “We are confident in the group as we add Brad, Quentin and now Clement to the mix.”
The goalkeeping room leaves three players with MLS experience at manager Gonzalo Pineda’s disposal. The knock-on effect refers to the idea that the team’s two brightest goalkeeping prospects in Justin Garces and Vicente Reyes will be options as reserve keepers – both of whom are expected to continue to gain experience between the posts with Atlanta United 2 in MLS Next Pro.
Born in Paris, France, Diop started his career in Amiens, France. After playing for Amiens II, Diop joined LA Galaxy II of the USL Championship prior to the 2015 season. He started 28 games and recorded 10 clean sheets as LA Galaxy II reached the USL Championship final before falling to Rochester in extra time. Diop signed with LA Galaxy’s first team after the season and made his MLS debut on August 20, 2016. NYCFC.
He made 15 starts for the LA Galaxy in the 2017 season before moving to CF Montreal via the waiver draft ahead of the 2018 campaign. He spent four seasons with Montreal, with the 2020 season being the one in which he saw the most playing time. He started 20 games and had a career-high 73 saves. Prior to the 2022 season, Diop signed with Inter Miami CF before a mid-season trade to New England.
Diop, who holds a United States green card, represents Senegal on the international stage. He made a senior international appearance for Senegal in 2017, playing in a friendly against Uganda.
