Brooks Lennon traded to Atlanta United for GAM, TAM

The moves have begun, and with that, one might imagine that more than just that is in progress.

Real Salt Lake has traded Brooks Lennon to Atlanta United FC for $150,000 in general allocation money and $150,000 in targeted allocation money. Perhaps most meaningfully, should Lennon leave MLS, RSL retains a sell-on fee.

It’s an interesting move, because Lennon’s status as a homegrown player has made him a fairly important figure in the club’s roster-building. He’s also proven an important player, having been deployed out of position at right back repeatedly, often when there were injury crises defensively.

In a club-issued release, Real Salt Lake interim general manager Elliott Fall said the move allows RSL to “further improve our roster.”

“Brooks has been an integral part of the RSL family for years, starting with our Academy and excelling at every level along the way. To be able to get an offer of this value speaks to his development as a player. We are in the fortunate position that we have enough depth to make a trade like this and the Allocation Money we acquired creates an opportunity to further improve our roster.”

Lennon played at the Real Salt Lake academy, where he was repeatedly scouted by Liverpool. He later signed for Liverpool and played as high as their U-23 squad before returning to RSL.