CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced Tuesday the club had acquired forward Tristan Trager from MLS NEXT Pro side Atlanta United 2 via transfer for an undisclosed fee and signed him to a new multi-year contract ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Trager was selected 47th overall by Atlanta in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft out of the Air Force Academy and later signed with Atlanta United 2 after completing his degree.

“I’m looking forward to taking on a new challenge, setting new goals, in a new city, with new teammates,” said Trager. “The opportunity to play in a beautiful city with a tremendous fanbase, under Coach Ben Pirmann with his attacking style of play, made this a very appealing destination for me.”

Trager was among Atlanta’s top performers last year, scoring eight goals and tallying two assists across 22 appearances. He was named the Championship’s Player of the Week for Week 17 and selected to the Team of the Week in Week 31.

“Tristan was one of the top breakout performers in the USL last season,” said Battery Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “He showed his ability to impact the final third and is one of the most dangerous attackers in our league. Tristan is a top person in addition to being a high-level footballer. He understands teamwork and selflessness and has lived that daily. His work on and off the pitch will be instrumental in our club's successes.”

A native of San Clemente, Calif., Trager had a standout collegiate career at Air Force, racking up 27 goals and 13 assists across 57 matches with the Falcons. He was the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year after his senior season and was twice named to the All-Western Athletic Conference First Team.

Trager graduated with a degree in geospatial science from the Air Force and has received a waiver from the Secretary of Defense to fulfill his service commitment after he completes his professional sports career.