Major League Soccer has announced that Atlanta has been awarded the competition's 22nd franchise.
Franchise owner Arthur Blank, of Atlanta Falcons and The Home Depot fame, will see his team enter MLS play in 2017.
The Atlanta side will play their home games in a 29,000-capacity downtown stadium which will be shared with NFL's Falcons.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber made the announcement, saying he was thrilled to welcome a brand new franchise into one of America's strongest sporting landscapes.
"We are thrilled to welcome Atlanta to Major League Soccer as our 22nd team," Garber said in a statement.
"Atlanta is one of the largest and most diverse markets in North America and has a rich tradition in sports and culture.
"And with Arthur Blank joining our ownership group, we are adding one of the most respected owners in professional sports. Arthur is deeply passionate about soccer and our quest to become one of the top professional soccer leagues in the world. We look forward to working with him and the entire Falcons organization on achieving this important goal."
Atlanta franchise owner Blank added: "We are very excited to bring a Major League Soccer team to Atlanta.
"We are going to build a first-class organization on and off the field that will be a source of pride for the entire community, and we believe our downtown stadium will become a destination for soccer fans throughout the Southeast for many years to come."
Additionally, MLS posted the following on Twitter:
Welcome on board, @MLSAtlanta2017. Number 22: http://t.co/mrYf4LDaI9#MLSAtlantapic.twitter.com/NNUu1bNZoY
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 16, 2014
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