Atlanta United signs their first-round SuperDraft pick
Atlanta United has signed 2024 SuperDraft first-round pick Jayden Hibbert to a contract with Atlanta United 2 for the 2024 season and to the MLS roster beginning January 1st, 2025.
From a Husky to a 5-Stripe
Welcome to the A, Jayden
— ATL UTD 2 (@atlutd2) January 12, 2024
Hibbert, 19, appeared in 20 matches over two seasons as a goalkeeper for UConn, including starting all 14 games for the Huskies in 2023. In his second season, he made 56 saves, with three shutouts and three career-high five-save matches against Yale (Sept. 8), Villanova (Sept. 29), and Georgetown (Nov. 9). He also had nine games with at least three saves and was named BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week twice.
The best way to describe Hibbert is a high-character player with freakish athleticism, a hungry and humble excitement to learn everything he can from his experienced teammates, and a willingness to be a selfless leader and teammate with the young defenders who will be developing with him. He has decent size for a goalkeeper standing 6-foot 2-inches (1.88 m) and has the mobility and agility to consistently challenge for balls in the air and at his feet.
His favorite goalkeepers to model himself off of include USMNT legend Tim Howard and Philadelphia Union’s Andre Blake. This makes a lot of sense as he is a quick-reflex player with great comfort with the ball at his feet while playing out of the back in the Red Bull style of possession game.
Based on our draft night breakdown and analysis of Hibbert and the other SuperDraft picks, we are all very excited by what Hibbert can bring to Atlanta United and Atlanta United 2 as a promising young goalkeeper with a lot of upside who can become an option for the first team while also serving as a bridge to younger talent still in the academy.
Hibbert joins a rebuilt Atlanta United 2 alongside veteran goalkeeper John Berner who arrived from Huntsville. Hibbert should be expected to compete from day 1 and could work his way into contention to be Atlanta United’s future starter by 2026.
Welcome to Atlanta, Jayden!
Atlanta United 2 Roster (as of Jan. 12, 2024)
Goalkeeper (2): John Berner, Jayden Hibbert
Defender (2): Matthew Edwards, Daniel Russo
Midfielders (4): Alan Carleton, Matías Gallardo, Noble Okello, Jacob Williams
Forwards (1): Karim Tmimi