CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Wednesday an extension of their affiliation with 2017 MLS expansion side Atlanta United FC. The partnership renewal comes after a successful first season as affiliates. With Atlanta preparing for its first season of competition in 2017, the Battery provided its players with a competitive, professional home during the 2016 USL season.

“We’re excited to extend our partnership with Atlanta for the 2017 season,” said Charleston Battery President Andrew Bell. “They sent us some quality players who did well here last year. They’ll have a full roster for the 2017 season, so we’re expecting another successful year.”

Atlanta’s first signing in club history, goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, spent the entire 2016 season with the Battery, starting 21 regular-season matches and earning six shutouts. Forward Jeffery Otoo and U17 USMNT star Andrew Carleton later joined Tambakis on the Battery roster. 

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Romario Williams, who completed a move to Atlanta from the Montreal Impact this offseason, also had a successful season on loan in 2016 with the Battery. The Jamaican led Charleston with 10 goals as the side reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs.

“Our mutually-beneficial partnership with Charleston made perfect sense for us to continue,” said Atlanta United President Darren Eales. “Our players were able to gain valuable professional experience last season and we look forward to having the opportunity to utilize the partnership even more in 2017 with having a full roster.”

Atlanta selected Syracuse University and former PDL standout Miles Robinson and Providence University midfielder Julian Gressel in the first round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft last Thursday. The two rookies will join Atlanta’s growing roster, which includes notable players Miguel Almiron, Kenwyne Jones, Tito Villalba and Chris McCann.

With both teams competing in their respective leagues and the close proximity of the clubs, players may travel back and forth more frequently than last season. Those who arrive in Charleston on loan from Atlanta will join Justin Portillo, Maikel Chang, Quinton Griffith, O’Brian Woodbine, Neveal Hackshaw, Ataulla Guerra, and Forrest Lasso, all of whom are signed for the 2017 USL season.

United and the Battery will meet on the final day of the 2017 Carolina Challenge Cup at MUSC Health Stadium, with the game set to kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 25, one week before Atlanta plays its first MLS match in history at home against the New York Red Bulls.