Brooks Lennon Bio
Brooks Howard Lennon (born September 22, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a winger or right-back. He most recently represented Major League Soccer clubs Atlanta United and Columbus Crew, having begun his professional career in 2017 after developing in the youth systems of Real Salt Lake and Liverpool.
Standing 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) tall and born in Paradise Valley, Arizona, Lennon has built a reputation as a versatile wide player capable of contributing in both attack and defense. He is a full international with the United States and won the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship with the U.S. youth setup.
Early Life and Background
Brooks Howard Lennon was born on September 22, 1997, in Paradise Valley, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix known for producing a range of sporting talent. Growing up in Arizona gave him early access to competitive youth soccer, and he quickly developed a profile as an athletic and tactically aware wide player.
As a teenager, Lennon joined the Real Salt Lake youth academy in Arizona, training under the club’s renowned development pathway between 2012 and 2015. During that period, he impressed enough with his combination of pace, work rate, and technical comfort on the ball to attract the attention of top European clubs.
His progress in the Real Salt Lake AZ system laid the foundation for a move abroad. In 2015, at the age of 17, Lennon signed with English powerhouse Liverpool, marking a major step in his development as a young American prospect.
Path to Soccer
After signing with Liverpool in 2015, Lennon integrated into the club’s youth teams, training alongside some of the most highly regarded young players in England. The move to Merseyside represented his first experience of professional European football and helped sharpen his understanding of the game’s tactical and physical demands.
He returned to Real Salt Lake in early 2017, ahead of agreeing a season-long loan with the Major League Soccer club. Initially expected to play a developmental role, Lennon was thrust into the starting lineup as injuries sidelined key starters, and he soon established himself as a regular contributor.
On December 20, 2017, it was announced that Lennon would join Real Salt Lake on a permanent basis, ending his stint as a loanee. The transition from European youth football to a first-team role in MLS marked the real beginning of his professional career in the United States.
Brooks Lennon Career
Early Career (2017)
Lennon’s first full professional season came in 2017 on loan at Real Salt Lake. Stepping into the starting XI after injuries to key players, he seized the opportunity with a string of mature performances that convinced the club to make the move permanent at the end of the year.
Across his early appearances in MLS, Lennon demonstrated the defensive responsibility and attacking instinct that had marked him out as a youth prospect. His composure under pressure and willingness to take on opponents in wide areas earned him a long-term commitment from Real Salt Lake.
Real Salt Lake Breakthrough (2017-2019)
After signing permanently with Real Salt Lake in December 2017, Lennon continued his development during the 2018 season. Early in the campaign, he made an appearance at right-back in a defeat before eventually establishing himself as the club’s starter at the position, a role that became his primary occupation in MLS.
Defensively sound and dangerous in the final third, Lennon provided balance down the right flank for Real Salt Lake. His consistency and fitness through 2018 and 2019 made him one of the most reliable wide players in the squad and caught the attention of clubs with更大的 ambitions.
During the 2019 season, he also made appearances for Real Monarchs, Real Salt Lake’s developmental affiliate in the USL Championship, continuing to build minutes and match sharpness. By the end of that year, it was clear Lennon was ready for a step up in competition and profile.
Atlanta United Era (2020-2025)
On December 2, 2019, Atlanta United acquired Lennon from Real Salt Lake in exchange for $150,000 in General Allocation Money and $150,000 in Targeted Allocation Money. The move signaled a fresh chapter in his career and an opportunity to compete for trophies in one of MLS’s most ambitious organizations.
He made his competitive debut for Atlanta in early 2020, appearing in a 3-0 victory over Motagua in the opening stages of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Lennon quickly established himself as a starter, growing into a more advanced leadership role by the time he reached his third season with the club in 2022. In November 2022, he signed a three-year contract extension with Atlanta, underscoring his importance to the team’s project.
His time in Atlanta featured regular starts, consistent wide production, and increased responsibility within the locker room. In November 2025, the club declined a further contract option, and Lennon became a free agent, closing a five-year chapter in Georgia.
Columbus Crew Move (2026)
On June 9, 2026, Lennon signed a one-year deal with Columbus Crew as a free agent, continuing his MLS career with another of the league’s flagship organizations. The short-term contract reflected both his experience and the club’s interest in adding a versatile, top-level wide player to its roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lennon is recognized for his tactical flexibility, comfortable operating as a traditional right-back or pushing higher up the pitch as a winger. His endurance, defensive awareness, and willingness to overlap make him a balanced option for coaches seeking width and reliability down the right side.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Lennon’s signature moments are his senior international call-up for a January 2018 friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, his 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship triumph with the United States, and his 2022 contract extension with Atlanta United following a long run of first-team football.
Brooks Lennon Career Wins
Brooks Lennon’s most significant team honor came at youth international level, lifting the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship with the United States. In club competition, his career has been defined more by consistency and longevity than by trophy-winning headlines, with sustained starting roles at Real Salt Lake and Atlanta United.
Real Salt Lake and Atlanta United Highlights
With Real Salt Lake, Lennon became the first-choice right-back and was a near-ever-present figure through parts of three seasons, helping the club maintain defensive structure while contributing in attack. His form there was a key factor in Atlanta United’s decision to invest in him at the end of 2019.
At Atlanta United, he grew into a leadership role and was rewarded with a three-year contract extension in November 2022, reflecting several seasons of dependable performance. Across his time in MLS, he has been a reliable starter rather than a frequent goalscorer, focused on width, defensive cover, and chance creation from wide positions.
Other Wins and Performances
Lennon also represented the United States at U-17, U-18, U-20, and U-23 level, building a broad international résumé before graduating to the senior team. He was called into his first senior World Cup Qualifying camp in January 2022, underscoring his standing within the U.S. player pool.
Brooks Lennon Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information on Brooks Lennon’s immediate family is limited. He is identified in official sources as an American professional soccer player from Paradise Valley, Arizona, with no widely documented parental or sibling background tied to professional sport.
Personal Life
Lennon has kept much of his personal life private, and no spouse or children are publicly listed in verified sources. He maintains a public presence on social media, including on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where he shares updates from his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked the final year of Brooks Lennon’s Atlanta United contract, following the three-year extension he signed in November 2022. He continued to feature as an experienced wide option within the squad, providing depth and leadership during the campaign.
Despite his established role in prior seasons, Atlanta United declined a further contract option in November 2025, allowing Lennon to enter free agency. The decision ended a five-year stretch with the club that began with his December 2019 trade from Real Salt Lake.
Heading into 2026, Lennon remained a free agent with a strong MLS résumé, and on June 9, 2026, he signed a one-year deal with Columbus Crew. His 2025 form and veteran status positioned him for a quick return to the league, where his versatility as a winger and right-back continues to attract interest.