Atlanta United has loaned forward Romario Williams and midfielder Jeffrey Otoo to the Charleston Battery for the 2017 season, pending USL approval.
Williams led the Battery in scoring in 2016, tallying 10 goals in 27 games. Atlanta United acquired Williams following his successful season via a trade with Montreal Impact on December 11th. The Jamaican center forward was the third overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
Otoo signed with Atlanta United in June of 2016 and was immediately sent to Charleston for the remainder of the USL season. Otoo, 19, appeared in five USL games and the Battery’s friendlies with the Nigerian U23s and Rangers FC last summer.
Both Williams and Otoo have featured prominently for Charleston during the 2017 preseason. Williams scored an equalizing goal for the Battery during the first ever meeting between Charleston and Atlanta United in final match of the Carolina Challenge Cup and found the scoresheet again last night against Coastal Carolina University.
Williams and Otoo will be a key part of what Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser does going forward in 2017. The attacking players join O’Brian Woodbine, Quinton Griffith, Forrest Lasso, Ataulla Guerra, Neveal Hackshaw, Justin Portillo, Maikel Chang, Dante Marini, and Taylor Mueller on this season’s roster.
The Battery continues its preseason this weekend with a road match against NASL side North Carolina FC on Saturday. Following the match in Raleigh, Charleston plays Clemson University at Riggs Field on March 10th then returns home to battle University of North Florida on Sunday, March 12th. The match against UNF will be streamed on https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com. Admission is free for all remaining preseason matches at MUSC Health Stadium.
