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George Bello
George Bello
from Wikipedia

George Oluwaseun Bello (born January 22, 2002) is a professional soccer player who plays as a left-back for Austrian Bundesliga club LASK. Born in Nigeria, he has played for the United States national team.

Key Information

Early years

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Born in Abuja, Nigeria, Bello moved with his family to Douglasville, Georgia, when he was a year old.[2] During his early career, he played for Southern Soccer Academy, a youth soccer club affiliated with English club Chelsea, and the Alpharetta Ambush, where he played for five years.[2] While playing at Alpharetta Ambush, he played with future Atlanta United academy teammate Zyen Jones.[2]

After spending five years with the Alpharetta Ambush, Bello moved to the academy side at Atlanta United FC, a new expansion club for Major League Soccer.[2] His former coach, Tony Annan, now at Atlanta United as their academy director, was the one to reach out to Bello to join his side.[2]

In 2017, a couple of months after signing a professional contract with Atlanta United FC, Bello helped Atlanta United's under-16 side win the U.S. Soccer Development Academy U16 Championship.[3] His performance during the season saw him named 2016–17 East Conference U15/16 Player of the Year and also included in the East Conference U15/16 Best XI.[3]

Club career

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Atlanta United

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On June 17, 2017, Bello, alongside teammates Lagos Kunga and Patrick Okonkwo, was signed by Atlanta United FC to a homegrown player contract which would start in 2018.[4] He made his professional debut on March 31, 2018, for Atlanta United 2, the club's reserve team, against Charlotte Independence. He started and played the whole match in a 2–2 draw.[5]

On September 2, 2018, Bello made his debut for the Atlanta United FC senior side in their Major League Soccer match against D.C. United. He came on as a 76th-minute substitute for Héctor Villalba as Atlanta United FC were defeated 3–1.[6] He scored his first professional goal a month later on October 6 against the New England Revolution. He scored his team's opening goal in the 17th minute of a 2–1 Atlanta United FC victory.[7] During the 2018 MLS Playoffs, Bello featured for Atlanta United FC twice from the bench but did not play as Atlanta United FC won the 2018 MLS Cup.[8]

The next season, Bello made his international club debut for Atlanta United FC in the CONCACAF Champions League against Herediano on February 21. He started as a left-wide back as Atlanta United FC were defeated 3–1.[9] In May 2019, it was confirmed that he would miss two to three months of the season with an injury to his right adductor.[10] Returning in August, Bello went on to only play 12 matches with Atlanta United 2 in the USL Championship and none with Atlanta United FC during the 2019 season.[11]

Arminia Bielefeld

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On January 31, 2022, Bello joined German Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld on a four-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[12][13]

LASK

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On July 14, 2023, Bello signed a contract as a free agent for Austrian Bundesliga side LASK until 2026.[14]

International career

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Bello has represented the United States at both the under-15 and under-17 level. He was part of the under-15 squad that won the Torneo Delle Nazioni in 2017. The United States won every match in which he started.[15] On October 10, 2019, he was named in the under-17 squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.[16]

In January 2021, Bello was called into the United States national team for their friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.[17] He made his debut in the match on January 31, coming on as a 64th-minute substitute in the 7–0 victory.[18] On July 17, 2021, he was named by head coach Gregg Berhalter into the 23-man squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[19] He started in two matches for the United States as they made it into the final against Mexico. Bello was named as a starter for the match and played 65 minutes as the United States won 1–0 after extra-time.[20]

Personal life

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Bello is named after his grandfather, Georgie.[21] His father was an amateur player in Nigeria and helped Bello develop his interest in the game.[15] Bello also ran track and field in high school and helped his school win the 2016 Georgia team state championship.[21] His favorite soccer players growing up were Neymar and Lionel Messi but he also was interested in the left back position and watched videos of David Alaba and Marcelo.[15]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played November 9, 2025[22]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Atlanta United 2 2018 United Soccer League 6 0 6 0
2019 USL 12 1 12 0
2020 USL 1 0 1 0
Total 19 1 19 1
Atlanta United 2018 MLS 3 1 3 1
2019 MLS 0 0 1[b] 0 1 0
2020 MLS 20[c] 1 1[b] 0 21 1
2021 MLS 29 1 4[b] 0 1[d] 0 34 1
Total 52 3 6 0 1 0 59 3
Arminia Bielefeld 2021–22 Bundesliga 10 0 10 0
2022–23 2. Bundesliga 21 0 2 0 2 0 25 0
Total 31 0 2 0 2 0 35 0
LASK 2023–24 Austrian Bundesliga 24 0 3 0 6[e] 0 33 0
2024–25 Austrian Bundesliga 29 1 5 1 8[f] 0 42 2
2025–26 Austrian Bundesliga 12 1 2 0 0 0 14 1
Total 65 2 10 1 14 0 0 0 89 3
Career total 167 6 12 1 20 0 3 0 202 7
  1. ^ Includes DFB-Pokal, Austrian Cup
  2. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions League
  3. ^ Includes two appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
  4. ^ Appearance in MLS Cup Playoffs
  5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Europa League, six appearances in UEFA Conference League

International

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As of match played June 10, 2022[22][23]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
United States 2021 6 0
2022 1 0
Total 7 0

Honors

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
George Bello is an American professional soccer player of Nigerian descent who plays as a left-back for Austrian Bundesliga club LASK. Born on January 22, 2002, in Abuja, Nigeria, Bello moved to Douglasville, Georgia, at a young age and holds dual citizenship in the United States and Nigeria. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall, he is known for his speed, defensive tenacity, and ability to contribute offensively from the left flank. Bello began his youth career with local clubs in Georgia, joining the Atlanta United Academy in 2016 after stints with Southern Soccer Academy and Alpharetta Ambush. He signed as a homegrown player with club Atlanta United on June 17, 2017, effective January 1, 2018, becoming one of the club's earliest academy products to turn professional. Bello made his MLS debut on September 2, 2018, against , and scored his first professional goal just a month later on October 6, 2018, against the , marking him as the sixth-youngest goalscorer in league history at the time. During his tenure with Atlanta United from 2018 to 2021, Bello established himself as a key starter, appearing in 29 matches with 26 starts in 2021 alone, during which he recorded three assists and earned selection to the . That year, he also contributed to the ' victory in the , starting two matches including the final against . Bello made his senior international debut for the USMNT on January 31, 2021, against , and has since earned seven caps as of November 2025. After transferring to in the German in January 2022, he joined Austrian club on a three-year contract in July 2023, later extended in 2025.

Early Life and Background

Early Life

George Bello was born on January 22, 2002, in Abuja, Nigeria, to Nigerian parents. He was named after his grandfather, Georgie Bello, an amateur soccer player in Nigeria. At the age of one, Bello relocated with his family to Douglasville, Georgia, in the United States, where his parents pursued professional opportunities in the financial industry, supported by the presence of extended family members already in the country. Growing up in Douglasville, he initially showed interest in athletics beyond soccer, participating in track and field during high school and contributing to his team's victory in the 2016 Georgia state championship. Bello's early exposure to soccer occurred casually through observing family members play, with his —an player in —playing a key role in fostering his interest in the sport from a young age. This familial influence laid the groundwork for his later involvement in organized youth programs.

Personal Life

Bello holds dual citizenship in the United States and . His , an soccer player in , significantly influenced Bello's early interest in the sport by introducing him to it and encouraging his development. Bello's full name, George Oluwaseun Bello, honors his grandfather, after whom he is named, reflecting the importance of heritage in his life. Bello shares close family ties, with relatives both in the United States and ; his household in Douglasville has long served as a hub for these connections, including gatherings to watch Nigerian national team matches during events like the . As of 2025, Bello resides in with , but maintains strong roots in the Douglasville community and returns to visit family. Outside of soccer, Bello pursued during high school, helping his team secure the 2016 Georgia state championship—a pursuit that echoed his mother's own background in the sport. This interest highlights his athletic versatility and balanced approach to beyond the pitch.

Club Career

Atlanta United

Bello joined the United Academy in 2016 after developing through local youth clubs, including Southern Soccer Academy from U-12 to U-13 and Alpharetta Ambush from U-14 to U-15. In his first season with the academy's U-15/16 team, he contributed to their victory in the 2016-17 National Championship, a historic title for the club in its inaugural academy year. Bello was also recognized as the East U-15/16 Best Player of the Year for 2016-17, highlighting his rapid rise as a promising left-back. On June 17, 2017, at age 15, Bello signed a Homegrown Player contract with Atlanta United, set to take effect on January 1, 2018, alongside academy teammates Lagos Kunga and Patrick Okonkwo. He made his professional debut with Atlanta United 2 in the on March 31, 2018, against . Bello's senior MLS debut came on September 2, 2018, as a substitute against , marking him as one of the league's youngest players at 16 years old. Later that season, on October 6, 2018, he scored his first MLS goal in a 2-1 home win over , becoming the sixth-youngest goalscorer in league history at 16 years and 258 days. Bello was part of Atlanta United's squad during their 2018 MLS Cup-winning campaign, though he did not feature in the playoffs. Over his MLS tenure from 2018 to 2021, he established himself as a key left-back prospect, making 52 regular-season appearances with 3 goals and 4 assists, primarily in 2020 and 2021 when he became a regular starter. His development emphasized defensive solidity and attacking contributions from the flank, drawing interest from European clubs by 2021.

Arminia Bielefeld

On January 31, 2022, George Bello transferred from Atlanta United to in the German for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract until June 2026. The move marked Bello's first venture into European football, where he aimed to adapt to the higher tactical demands and physicality of the as a 20-year-old left-back. Bello made his debut for on February 5, 2022, coming on as a substitute in the final 20 minutes of a 1–1 home draw against . His first start came on March 12, 2022, in a 1–0 away loss to , a match he later described as a "dream come true" despite the defeat, highlighting his excitement at facing top-tier opposition. During the season, struggled in the relegation zone, and Bello served as a rotational option at left-back, appearing in nine league matches without scoring or assisting as the team ultimately suffered relegation after losing the playoff to Jahn . In the 2022–23 season, now in the , Bello continued in a backup role amid competition from other defenders, featuring in 22 league appearances with no goals. Notable moments included a challenging performance in May 2022, where he scored an in a 2–1 loss to during the relegation battle, underscoring adaptation difficulties. No major injuries hampered his tenure, though the team's poor form contributed to limited starts. Overall, across both seasons, Bello recorded 31 appearances and zero goals for . Bielefeld's consecutive relegations—finishing 16th in the in 2021–22 and 16th in the in 2022–23, losing the relegation playoff to Wehen —compounded Bello's rotational status and desire for consistent minutes. In July 2023, the club mutually terminated his contract early, allowing him to depart as a to pursue opportunities with more playing time.

LASK

George Bello joined on a free transfer from on July 14, 2023, signing a three-year contract until June 2026. His prior experience in the German helped facilitate his transition to the Austrian . Bello made his debut for on August 19, 2023, starting as left-back in a 1–1 league draw away to . In his debut 2023–24 season, Bello became a consistent starter, appearing in 24 Bundesliga matches and accumulating 1,867 minutes while providing 1 assist. He also contributed to LASK's European efforts, playing 6 matches across the UEFA Europa League qualifiers—where the team advanced past qualification before dropping down—and the subsequent UEFA Conference League group stage. These outings highlighted his versatility in high-stakes continental play, including defensive solidity against teams like AZ Alkmaar. The 2024–25 campaign marked Bello's most prominent season to date, with career-high playing time of 2,443 minutes over 29 appearances, including 1 scored. Defensively, he averaged 1.56 clearances per 90 minutes and recorded 0.23 tackles per 90, aiding LASK's mid-table finish while featuring in 6 UEFA Conference League group stage matches, such as starts against St. Patrick's Athletic and . His offensive runs and crossing added balance to LASK's attack, with reports noting his growing influence in set-piece situations. In the 2025–26 season, Bello has appeared in 12 matches, scoring 1 goal and providing 1 assist, continuing his role as a regular starter. As of November 2025, Bello has made 65 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists across all competitions for LASK. In September 2025, the club extended his contract through June 2027, reflecting his established role as a defensive leader and regular starter. His market value stood at €2.00 million as of June 2025. Bello's adaptation to Austrian football has been marked by improved positional discipline and leadership in the backline, contributing to LASK's competitive edge in both domestic and European fixtures.

International Career

Youth International Career

Bello earned his first call-up to a U.S. youth national team with the U-14 Boys' National Team in 2014, though his breakthrough came at the U-15 level in 2016, where his standout performances in the United academy system caught the attention of national team coaches. His selection was influenced by consistent displays as a dynamic left-back in academy matches, demonstrating speed, defensive awareness, and crossing ability that aligned with U.S. Soccer's development pathways. In 2017, Bello became a fixture for the U-15 Boys' National Team (BNT), starting all five matches at the U-15 Boys’ Championship in , where the secured second place after a loss to in the final. He also featured prominently at the prestigious Torneo delle Nazioni in Gradisca, , starting four of five games and scoring the opening goal against in a 3-1 group stage win, contributing to the team's tournament victory. Additionally, Bello played every minute of the three matches at the Nike International Friendlies against , , and , helping build his reputation through high-intensity international exposure. These appearances highlighted his growth in positional play and transition defense during training camps and friendlies. Bello progressed to the U-17 Men's National Team (MNT) later in 2017, participating in initial training camps that focused on tactical integration and fitness. By 2018, he had earned 11 caps at the U-17 level, including one goal, with key contributions in multiple tournaments that underscored his evolution into a reliable left-back capable of overlapping runs and set-piece delivery. He helped the U-17s win the Sportchain Cup in Benicassim, , starting matches and maintaining defensive stability in the title-clinching final. In October 2018, Bello scored the tournament-winning free-kick goal against at the U-17 International Youth Tournament in , securing a 2-1 victory in the final. He also featured at the 4 Nations Tournament in the , assisting in a dramatic last-minute win over through solid defending and forward surges. These experiences in friendlies and invitational events refined his decision-making under pressure. Bello's form earned him a spot on the U-17 MNT roster for the in , where he made two starts in the group stage, logging approximately 180 minutes, as the team finished last in Group D and did not advance. His academy-to-youth international trajectory positioned him for higher-level consideration by 2020, with invitations to U-18 training camps emphasizing his readiness for senior pathways.

Senior International Career

George Bello earned his first senior cap for the men's national team (USMNT) on January 31, 2021, entering as a substitute in the 64th minute during a 7-0 friendly victory over at Exploria Stadium in . This appearance marked his debut in a match that served as preparation ahead of qualifying, where Bello played as a left-back providing defensive support. Bello's breakthrough came during the , where he was part of the USMNT squad that won the tournament title. He made two appearances in the competition, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a 6-1 group stage win against on July 15, 2021, at in . Bello also started in the final against on August 1, 2021, at in , , contributing defensively for 65 minutes before being substituted in the eventual 1-0 extra-time victory that secured the championship. Following the Gold Cup, Bello added to his international experience with appearances in World Cup qualifying and other competitions. He played in two CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers: 45 minutes as a substitute against on September 8, 2021, and a full 90-minute start against on October 10, 2021. Additionally, he featured in a 1-0 friendly win over on December 18, 2021, playing 84 minutes, and made his final senior appearance on June 10, 2022, substituting in for 30 minutes during a 5-0 victory against . Across these seven senior caps, Bello recorded no goals while serving primarily as a defensive left-back option in squad selections. Bello participated in several USMNT training camps during 2021 and 2022, including the January 2021 camp for his debut, the July 2021 Gold Cup preparation, a September 2021 qualifying camp, and a 2022 qualifying camp where he was added to the roster but did not feature in matches. These non-competitive sessions helped integrate him into the senior setup as a versatile defender. However, Bello has not received a senior call-up since 2022, amid his club commitments with in the German and later in the Austrian from 2023 onward. As of 2025, Bello has expressed ongoing aspirations to return to the USMNT, emphasizing hard work and humility in pursuit of a spot in the 2026 World Cup squad, despite being projected for but not selected in recent camps under coach . He views his European experience as preparation to compete for a defensive role in future national team considerations.

Career Statistics and Honors

Club Statistics

George Bello has accumulated 202 professional club appearances, scoring 7 goals and recording 11 assists, along with 27 yellow cards and no red cards, totaling 14,015 minutes played as of November 16, 2025. These figures include all competitions such as domestic leagues, cups, and continental tournaments. Below is a breakdown of his statistics by club across all competitions.
ClubAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played
5935604,889'
Atlanta United 21911401,346'
3500201,407'
89351507,373'
Total20271127014,015'
The following table provides a seasonal breakdown of Bello's appearances in domestic league competitions, highlighting his progression from MLS to . In MLS with Atlanta United, he recorded 3 goals and 4 assists across 52 appearances from 2018 to 2021. With in and (2021–2023), he made 31 appearances without goals or assists. At in the Austrian (2023–2025, ongoing), he has 65 appearances, 2 goals, and 2 assists to date.
SeasonClubCompetitionAppearancesStartsMinutesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
2018Atlanta UnitedMLS32177'1000
2018Atlanta United 266412'0020
2019Atlanta United 21211885'1020
2020Atlanta United 21145'0000
2020Atlanta UnitedMLS20191,643'1120
2021Atlanta UnitedMLS29262,435'1330
2021-22103434'0000
2022-23216772'0010
2023-24Austrian 24221,867'0140
2024-25Austrian 29272,443'1050
2025-26Austrian 12121,001'1140
Total167135**12,114'66230

International Statistics

George Bello has represented the at various youth international levels and earned senior caps with the USMNT between 2021 and 2022. As of November 16, 2025, he has accumulated 5 caps and 0 goals at the U-15 level, 7 caps and 1 goal at the U-17 level, and 7 senior caps with no goals, with no further appearances since June 2022 due to lack of call-ups.

Youth International Statistics

Bello's youth career included participation in key tournaments such as the 2017 U-15 Championship (where he started 5 matches) and the Torneo delle Nazioni (4 starts), contributing to a second-place finish in and a tournament title in . At the U-17 level, he featured in events like the 2018 U-17 International Youth Tournament in (scoring the winner vs. on a ) and the in Brazil (3 appearances).
Youth TeamCapsGoals
U-1550
U-1771

Senior International Statistics

Bello debuted for the senior USMNT in a January 2021 friendly against Trinidad & Tobago and went on to appear in the (winning the tournament), 2021–2022 , and 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. His appearances totaled 595 minutes across these competitions, primarily as a substitute after his initial starts. No further senior call-ups have occurred since his last match in June 2022.
CompetitionCapsGoalsMinutes
Friendlies20110
20155
1045
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers20110
Total70595

Honors

George Bello has earned several team and individual honors throughout his professional and youth career. With Atlanta United, Bello was part of the squad that won the 2018 MLS Cup, marking the club's first major trophy in Major League Soccer. On the international stage, he contributed to the United States men's national team's victory in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he started in the final match against Mexico. During his youth career with Atlanta United's academy, Bello helped the U-15/16 team secure the 2016–17 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Championship. That same season, he was named the East Conference U15/16 Player of the Year for his standout performances. No additional major team or individual honors have been recorded for Bello with or through 2025.

References

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