Atlanta United Signs Defender Nyk Sessock and Midfielder Cooper Sanchez Ahead of Leagues Cup Match

ATLANTA — Atlanta United today announced that it has signed defender Nyk Sessock through the end of the 2025 season with an option for 2026. The 25-year-old joins the First Team from the club’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, Atlanta United 2.

Sessock has been a consistent presence on the backline since joining ATL UTD 2 on Feb. 24, 2025. He has made 14 appearances this season, all starts, logging 1,182 total minutes while ranking third on the team with 18 key passes. The defender has also earned multiple First Team call-ups, making his MLS debut on June 12 as a substitute against New York City FC and later appearing in his first Leagues Cup match on Aug. 2 against Pumas.

A native of Philadelphia, Sessock came through the Philadelphia Union youth academy before beginning his collegiate career at Pittsburgh. He later transferred to Indiana University, where he played a pivotal role in the Hoosiers’ success. At Indiana, Sessock won both the Big Ten Regular Season and Tournament Championships in 2020 and helped lead the program to NCAA National Championship appearances in 2020 and 2022.

Earlier today, Atlanta United also announced the signing of 17-year-old midfielder Cooper Sanchez to an MLS Homegrown Contract through the 2026 season, with club options for 2027 and 2028. Sanchez, a standout from Atlanta United’s Academy, is immediately eligible for selection in Wednesday’s Leagues Cup clash against Atlas FC. He will serve as an Off-Roster Homegrown Player for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Sanchez joined the Atlanta United Academy in 2018 and was a key member of the 2023 U-16 squad that went 22-1-1 and won the MLS NEXT Cup, where he scored in the final. After signing with ATL UTD 2 in July 2024, Sanchez quickly established himself, recording 23 professional appearances to date and starting 12 of 14 MLS NEXT Pro matches this season with two assists.

Both additions bolster Atlanta United’s depth as the club looks to finish Phase One of the Leagues Cup on a strong note. The team (0-2-0, 0 points) returns to action Wednesday, Aug. 6, hosting Atlas FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in its final group stage match (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor).