Charlotte FC adds international player familiar with team’s first head coach
Charlotte FC continues to add international players to its growing roster.
The Major League Soccer club has signed Ecuadorian midfielder Alan Franco on a year-long loan deal from Brazil’s Atlético Mineiro with an option to purchase, Charlotte FC announced Tuesday.
The move is pending the receipt of Franco’s P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate to ensure eligibility for MLS competition.
Franco, 23, most recently competed in the country’s top-tier Brasileirão league with Atlético Mineiro. Prior to joining Atlético in 2020, he played for Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle, which was formerly coached by Charlotte FC head coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez. Together they won the 2019 Copa Sudamericana, with Franco starting all 11 matches and scoring two goals during that tournament.
“Alan is a versatile midfielder who knows the system and style of football we want to play and was very productive during his time with Miguel at Independiente del Valle,” Charlotte FC sporting director Zoran Krneta said in a statement.
Franco will occupy an international slot on Charlotte FC’s roster, which is now up to 17 players. The club last week added two MLS free agents, former Columbus Crew fullback Harrison Afful and former D.C. United forward Yordy Reyna.
Charlotte FC has not announced any of its three allotted designated players, as Franco will not occupy one of those spots.
“(Franco) has become a regular in the Ecuador national team, who are on pace to qualify for the World Cup in a very challenging region,” Krneta said. “With this addition, we continue to add title-winning talent to our roster as we approach our inaugural season, and we look forward to seeing Alan in Charlotte soon.”
Franco joined Independiente del Valle in 2016 when he was 17 years old. He totaled 75 appearances for the club, tallying five goals and six assists. He also has 18 caps and one goal for Ecuador’s men’s national team, which currently sits in position to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with four games remaining.
Charlotte FC’s inaugural season begins on Feb. 26, 2022 with a match against D.C. United in Washington, D.C. The full regular season schedule can be found here.
Charlotte FC player profile
- Player: Alan Franco
- Position: Midfielder
- Height: 5’7”
- Date of Birth: August 21, 1998
- Age: 23
- Birthplace: Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador
- Last Club: Clube Atlético Mineiro
This story was originally published December 21, 2021 at 12:05 PM.
