George Bello
{{short description|American soccer player (born 2002)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = George Bello
| image = FC RB Salzburg gegen LASK 77.jpg
| caption = Bello with LASK in 2024
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|1|22}}
| birth_place = Abuja, Nigeria
| height = {{convert|1.73|m|order=flip}}
| position = Left-back
| currentclub = LASK
| clubnumber = 2
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2011
| youthclubs1 = Southern Soccer Academy
| youthyears2 = 2011–2016
| youthclubs2 = Alpharetta Ambush
| youthyears3 = 2016–2018
| youthclubs3 = Atlanta United
| years1 = 2018–2020
| clubs1 = Atlanta United 2
| caps1 = 19
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2018–2021
| clubs2 = Atlanta United
| caps2 = 52
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2022–2023
| clubs3 = Arminia Bielefeld
| caps3 = 31
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2023–
| clubs4 = LASK
| caps4 = 53
| goals4 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2017
| nationalteam1 = United States U15
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2017–2019
| nationalteam2 = United States U17
| nationalcaps2 = 7
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 2021–2022
| nationalteam3 = United States
| nationalcaps3 = 7
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| club-update = June 11, 2025
| nationalteam-update = June 10, 2022
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}
{{Medal|Winner|CONCACAF Gold Cup|2021}}
}}
George Oluwaseun Bello (born January 22, 2002) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left-back for Austrian Bundesliga club LASK.
Early years
Born in Abuja, Nigeria, Bello moved with his family to Douglasville, Georgia, when he was a year old.{{cite news |last1=Patrick |first1=Joe |title=George Bello: Atlanta United's 16-year-old wonderkid on the brink of a breakthrough |url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2018/8/10/17673820/george-bello-atlanta-uniteds-16-year-old-wonderkid-on-the-brink-of-a-breakthrough |access-date=February 19, 2020 |work=Dirty South Soccer |date=August 10, 2018}} 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. While playing at Alpharetta Ambush, he played with future Atlanta United academy teammate Zyen Jones.
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. 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.
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.{{cite news |title=George Bello named US Soccer Development Academy Player of the Year |url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/7/14/15969756/george-bello-named-us-soccer-development-academy-player-of-the-year |access-date=February 19, 2002 |work=Dirty South Soccer |date=July 14, 2017}} 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.
Club career
=Atlanta United=
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.{{cite news |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Alicia |title=Atlanta United FC sign three Homegrown players for 2018 season |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/06/17/atlanta-united-fc-sign-three-homegrown-players-2018-season |access-date=February 19, 2020 |work=Major League Soccer |date=June 17, 2017}} 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.{{cite web |title=Charlotte Independence 2–2 Atlanta United 2 |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/04/01/united-states/mls-reserve-league/charlotte-independence/atlanta-united-2/2719518/ |website=Soccerway}}
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.{{cite web |title=D.C. United 3–1 Atlanta United FC |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/09/03/united-states/mls/washington-district-of-columbia-united/atlanta-united/2710621/ |website=Soccerway}} 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.{{cite web |title=Atlanta United 2–1 New England Revolution |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/10/06/united-states/mls/atlanta-united/new-england-revolution/2710667/ |website=Soccerway}} 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.{{cite web |title=Atlanta United 3–1 New York City FC |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/11/11/united-states/mls/atlanta-united/new-york-city/2931515/ |website=Soccerway}}
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.{{cite web |title=Herediano 3–1 Atlanta United FC |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2019/02/22/nc-america/concacaf-champions-league/cs-herediano/atlanta-united/2943572/ |website=Soccerway}} In May 2019, it was confirmed that he would miss two to three months of the season with an injury to his right adductor.{{cite news |last1=Huntle |first1=Sydney |title=George Bello out for 2-3 months with injury to right adductor |url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2019/5/3/18528290/george-bello-atlanta-united-injury |access-date=February 19, 2020 |work=Dirty South Soccer |date=May 3, 2019}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Patrick |first1=Joe |title=George Bello cleared from hospital after head injury; says injury not "as bad as feared" |url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2020/2/8/21129886/george-bello-cleared-head-injury |access-date=February 19, 2020 |work=Dirty South Soccer |date=February 10, 2020}}
=Arminia Bielefeld=
On January 31, 2022, Bello joined German Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld on a four-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlutd.com/news/atlanta-united-transfers-defender-george-bello-to-arminia-bielefeld-in-german-bu|title=Atlanta United Transfers Defender George Bello to Arminia Bielefeld in German Bundesliga | Atlanta United FC|website=atlutd}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.arminia.de/neues/schlagzeilen/detail/dsc-arminia-verpflichtet-george-bello|title=DSC Arminia verpflichtet George Bello|website=www.arminia.de|date=January 31, 2022 }}
=LASK=
On July 14, 2023, Bello signed a contract as a free agent for Austrian Bundesliga side LASK until 2026.{{cite news |title=LASK SIGNS US INTERNATIONAL GEORGE BELLO |url=https://www.lask.at/de/m/news/lask-verpflichtet-us-nationalspieler-george-bello |access-date=July 16, 2023 |work=US Soccer |date=July 14, 2023}}
International career
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.{{cite news |last1=Sciaretta |first1=Brian |title=U.S U-17 standout George Bello eyeing a breakthrough with Atlanta |url=http://americansoccernow.com/articles/u-s-u-17-standout-george-bello-eyeing-a-breakthrough-with-atlanta |access-date=February 20, 2020 |work=American Soccer Now |date=August 15, 2018}} On October 10, 2019, he was named in the under-17 squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.{{cite news |title=HEAD COACH RAPHAEL WICKY NAMES USA ROSTER FOR 2019 FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2019/10/head-coach-raphael-wicky-names-usa-roster-for-2019-fifa-u17-world-cup-in-brazil |access-date=February 20, 2020 |work=US Soccer |date=October 10, 2019}}
In January 2021, Bello was called into the United States national team for their friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.{{cite news |last1=Usry |first1=Rob |title=Miles Robinson, George Bello named to USMNT senior roster for friendly |url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2021/1/5/22215363/miles-robinson-george-bello-named-to-usmnt-u-23-january-training-camp-roster |access-date=September 18, 2021 |work=Dirty South Soccer}} He made his debut in the match on January 31, coming on as a 64th-minute substitute in the 7–0 victory.{{cite web |title=United States 7–0 Trinidad and Tobago |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2021/02/01/world/friendlies/united-states-of-america/trinidad-and-tobago/3446355/ |website=Soccerway}} On July 17, 2021, he was named by head coach Gregg Berhalter into the 23-man squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.{{cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=Andy |title=23-man USMNT roster for Gold Cup |url=https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2021/07/17/berhalter-names-23-man-usmnt-roster-for-gold-cup/ |access-date=September 18, 2021 |work=NBC Sports |date=July 17, 2021}} 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.{{cite web |title=United States 1–0 Mexico |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2021/08/02/nc-america/concacaf-gold-cup/united-states-of-america/mexico/3506355/ |website=Soccerway}}
Personal life
Bello is named after his grandfather, Georgie.{{cite web |title=George Bello |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/players/b/george-bello |website=US Soccer}} His father was an amateur player in Nigeria and helped Bello develop his interest in the game. Bello also ran track and field in high school and helped his school win the 2016 Georgia team state championship. 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.
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played June 1, 2025}}{{soccerway|george-bello/497194}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes DFB-Pokal, Austrian Cup}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Atlanta United 2
|2018 |6 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 6 | 0 | ||||
| 2019
|USL |12 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 12 | 0 | ||||
| 2020
|USL |1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!19 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 19 | 1 | ||||
| rowspan="5"|Atlanta United
|2018 |MLS |3 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 3 | 1 | ||||
| 2019
|MLS |colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=CCL|Appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2020
|MLS |20{{efn|Includes two appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage}} | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 1{{efn|name=CCL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 21 | 1 | |||
| 2021
|MLS |29 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 4{{efn|name=CCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=PO|Appearance in MLS Cup Playoffs}} | 0 | 34 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!52 | 3 | colspan="2"|– | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 59 | 3 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Arminia Bielefeld
|10 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 10 | 0 | ||||
| 2022–23
|21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 2 | 0 | 25 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!31 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 2 | 0 | 35 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="3"|LASK
|24 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 33 | 0 | ||
| 2024–25
|Austrian Bundesliga |29 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 8{{efn|Two appearances in UEFA Europa League, six appearances in UEFA Conference League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 42 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!53 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 2 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!155 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 188 | 6 |
{{notelist}}
= International =
{{updated|match played June 10, 2022}}{{cite web |title=George Bello |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/81217/George_Bello.html |website=National Football Teams}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"|United States
|2021 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 7 | 0 |
Honors
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.atlutd.com/players/68/george-bello Profile] at Atlanta United
- {{MLS player}}
- {{USL player}}
- {{U.S. Soccer player|b/george-bello}}
{{LASK squad}}
{{United States squad 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bello, George}}
Category:Footballers from Abuja
Category:Sportspeople from Douglasville, Georgia
Category:Soccer players from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:United States men's international soccer players
Category:United States men's youth international soccer players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Austria
Category:American expatriate men's soccer players in Germany
Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Austria
Category:American expatriate men's soccer players
Category:African-American soccer players
Category:American sportspeople of Nigerian descent
Category:Nigerian men's footballers
Category:Nigerian emigrants to the United States
Category:2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup players
Category:Arminia Bielefeld players
Category:Men's association football fullbacks
Category:Atlanta United FC players
Category:Atlanta United 2 players
Category:Austrian Football Bundesliga players
Category:CONCACAF Gold Cup–winning players
Category:Homegrown Players (MLS)
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:USL Championship players