Former Manchester United starlet Ravel Morrison has joined Liga MX side Atlas on a one-year loan from Lazio, the club confirmed on Thursday.
Morrison was regarded as a future star at Old Trafford, but fell from grace and went on to play for West Ham, Birmingham, Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff before signing for Lazio, where the 24-year-old didn't start a game in Serie A play and ended last season back on loan at QPR.
Struggling Liga MX side Atlas has been plagued by injuries and the absence of Rafa Marquez this season and is facing a battle against relegation.
Proveniente del @OfficialSSLazio, hacemos oficial la llegada de @morrisonravel a los Rojinegros 🔴⚫️#WelcomeRavel pic.twitter.com/CewdEzGWDB
— Atlas FC (@atlasfc) August 31, 2017
Coach Jose Guadalupe Cruz said on Wednesday that he knew about Morrison's past reputation, but said the midfielder deserves another chance and is confident the Englishman will succeed in Mexico.
"I believe it is a risky bet, but in life you have to take certain risks," said 49-year-old Cruz. "I think you have to value the person and give them the benefit of the doubt.
"In that sense we are convinced that the boy can help us a lot and we are very clear that he's going to be on optimal behavior."
Morrison's first game in an Atlas shirt could be against Tigres on Sept. 8, with Los Rojinegros looking for their first win in six games.