The Fire announced on Monday that it had loaned homegrown striker Kellen Gulley to the NASL Atlanta Silverbacks. Coach Frank Klopas said during training camp the club was looking to loan out the 18-year old striker in order to get him more playing time.
“This loan is a great opportunity for Kellen to earn consistent playing time,” Fire President of Soccer Operations Javier Leon said in a team statement. “Kellen is a young player with great potential. We are looking forward to monitoring his development and progress while he is in Atlanta.”
The team still has high hopes for him, but with Gulley still developing the club has clearly indicated it doesn’t feel he could help them this MLS season.
Gulley is the second homegrown player in Fire history having played with the Mississippi Fire Juniors. He signed with the Aug. 11, 2011.
He participated in the U.S. Soccer U-17 residency program and scored four goals in eight international appearances for the U-17 team in 2009 and 2010.
