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Atlanta adds Tottenham Hotspur's Darren Eales as club president

#INSERT type:image caption:Atlanta added Tottenham exec Darren Eales as the MLS expansion club begins to build its front office. END#

Atlanta, the Major League Soccer's expansion club set to debut in 2017, announced the appointment of Tottenham Hotspur executive director Darren Eales as club president.

Eales, a former USISL and A-league player, will join Atlanta later this year, following a transition period from Tottenham. For Spurs, Eales helped to negotiate transfers, including playing a key role in the 2013 sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid. He also helped negotiate transfers involving MLS players Robbie Keane, Clint Dempsey and Jermain Defoe and recently helped to complete negotiations for the transfer of Seattle Sounders' DeAndre Yedlin. 

"Soccer is a lifetime passion of mine, and to have the chance to come to Atlanta and build a club from the ground up is extremely exciting," Eales said via press release.

"I'm going to have the rare experience of getting to know the fans from the outset, and I'm eager to engage them in the process, from naming the team to creating an incredible atmosphere at our matches. It's also a fantastic opportunity to have the support of a respected owner in Arthur Blank and the chance to field a team in a brand new state-of-the-art facility. MLS is going from strength to strength, and really making its mark, so it's a privilege to be part of its expansion. I'm looking forward to being a part of MLS Atlanta and helping to make this a great success story."

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