Tattoos are a powerful tool. The simplest illustrations can remind us of experiences so vivid.
June 9th, 2016 – A day full of awe, excitement and achievement. One that changed Andrew Carleton’s life forever and one he’ll carry with him until the end of time.
VI.IX.MMXVI it reads in inked Roman numerals along his right chest.
“The date that I signed for Atlanta, it was my first professional contract so it was a meaningful thing to me and for my first tattoo, that’s what I wanted it to be, I wanted it to be something meaningful. Atlanta’s a special place to me so I figured if I wanted to have something written on my body for the rest of my life it had to be something important.”
Still just 17 years of age, Carleton needed parental consent in order to legally acquire the tattoo. He reached an agreement with his parents – if he had the idea and the design and still wanted it after three months, they would allow him to get the ink. Ninety days passed and sure enough, the memory from June 9th, 2016 still sent adrenaline through his veins.
“When I look at it, it reminds me of all the hard work that I’ve put in to be able to be in this position and all the work that it takes to be a professional soccer player. So it just kind of reminds me of where I came from and humbles me in the way of all the work and the grind. I didn’t have anything handed to me, you had to go out and earn it. That’s what it means to me.”
No matter what the future may hold or where his hard work and talent may take him, Carleton will always carry this mark with him, serving as an everlasting reminder of his roots in the ATL.
© 2026 Atlanta United FC
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