Charlotte FC grows its MLS roster, adding Uruguayan center back as its 7th player
Charlotte FC has added Uruguayan center back Guzmán Corujo to its roster ahead of the team’s inaugural Major League Soccer season in 2022.
Corujo, 25, has signed a pre-contract with Charlotte, meaning the club will not have to pay his transfer fee. Charlotte FC announced Wednesday that Corujo will join the team on a three-year contract with a one-year option, pending a medical evaluation and receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate.
He joins from Club Nacional, a first division team in his home country that has produced high-caliber players such as MLS Cup winner Nicolás Lodeiro (Seattle) and New York City FC midfielder Santiago Rodríguez.
Corujo appeared in more than 100 matches for Club Nacional over the last four years. He won two league titles with the team and made five appearances in Copa Libertadores this year (22 overall).
“We’re very excited for Guzmán to be part of our inaugural roster,” Charlotte FC Sporting Director Zoran Krneta said in a statement. “And to sign a player of his quality from a top team in South America for free is a tremendous success. He is an experienced defender with a competitive, winning mentality who is entering the prime of his career.”
Corujo’s contract was set to expire at the end of the season, but his former team announced earlier this week that it terminated the final months of his deal due to the pre-contract with Charlotte.
Unless Corujo obtains a green card prior to his Charlotte move (a date which remains fluid), he will fill one of the team’s eight international player slots, joining Polish defender Jan Sobociński, Spanish midfielder Sergio Ruiz and Australian midfielder Riley McGree in a similar situation.
Corujo becomes the expansion team’s seventh signed player. Charlotte FC’s roster also includes defenders Christian Fuchs and Adam Armour as well as midfielder Brandt Bronico.
“Guzmán is a well-rounded center back that brings a physical style to his defending and is excellent in winning aerial duels,” Krneta’s statement said. “He complements the defenders we currently have on our roster and is an excellent addition to the spine of our team as we continue to build towards 2022.”
Spanish coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez was named the club’s inaugural head coach.
This story was originally published September 1, 2021 at 11:27 AM.
