Atlanta United waives Peterson

Jacob Peterson is shown in this file photo.

Jacob Peterson is shown in this file photo.

Atlanta United  waived midfielder Jacob Peterson late Monday night.

The transaction has been ongoing since the start of training camp on Jan. 22. Peterson didn’t report with other players.

Peterson, 31, scored three goals in 10 appearances last season, including a late strike to secure a draw at Sporting KC. An injury sidelined him most of the season.

The timing of the move is interesting because it comes weeks after options had to be exercised on contracts. That came in December when Atlanta United declined options on several players.

Peterson has spent his professional career in MLS, starting with Colorado (2006-09), Toronto (2010-11), San Jose (2011) and Sporting KC (2012-16).

“We want to thank Jacob for his contributions to the club and wish him luck in his future,” Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement from the team. “He scored some big goals for us last year and he’ll always be appreciated for our expansion season.”

Atlanta United added several midfielders in the offseason, including Darlington Nagbe centrally and Ezequiel Barco on the left.

The team starts a training camp stint in Orlando on Tuesday morning.