*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 August 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of January 27, 2023
Efraín Andrés Morales Badillo (born March 4, 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Atlanta United. Born in the United States, he is a youth international for Bolivia.
Career
Born in Decatur, Georgia, Morales joined in the youth academy of Major League Soccer club Atlanta United in 2016.[1] Morales began at the under-12 level but quickly progressed to the under-17 side.[1] After impressing coaches in the youth setup, Morales signed a professional homegrown player contract with Atlanta United on August 13, 2020, which will come into effect on January 1, 2021.[1]
On August 15, 2020, Morales made his professional debut for Atlanta United 2, Atlanta United's reserve team in the USL Championship, against Charleston Battery. He came on as a 22nd-minute substitute for Patrick Nielsen and scored his first professional goal in the 51st minute. Despite the goal, Atlanta United 2 lost 3–2.[2]
Morales signed a contract extension with Atlanta United on November 29, 2023.[3]
Personal life
Born in the United States, Morales is the son of a Bolivian father and a Puerto Rican mother.[4]