Charlotte FC has acquired goalkeeper Drake Callender from Inter Miami CF in a deal worth $750,000 in General Allocation Money. The payment will be split, with $400,000 allocated for 2025 and $350,000 for 2026. Inter Miami could also receive an additional $75,000 in conditional General Allocation Money and will keep a percentage of any future transfer or trade involving Callender.
“Drake joins our squad with three-plus years of MLS experience and is entering a great stage for goalkeeper development,” said General Manager Zoran Krneta. “His MLS experience and recent national team call-ups make him a key piece to help strengthen our goalkeeping core as we continue to build the strongest squad possible for the run-in, but also an eye towards the future.”
Callender, who is 27 years old, played as a full-time starter for Inter Miami between 2022 and 2024. He appeared in 118 matches and recorded 19 clean sheets across all competitions. In his first season as a starter in Major League Soccer in 2022, he was named a finalist for Goalkeeper of the Year after tallying four clean sheets and conceding 37 goals. He made significant saves during crucial moments late in matches against Columbus Crew and D.C. United, followed by keeping a clean sheet against Toronto FC.
In the following season, Callender achieved career-high numbers with seven clean sheets and 123 saves over 33 matches. He played an important role when Inter Miami won the inaugural Leagues Cup in 2023 after saving two penalties and scoring one during the shootout. For this performance, he was awarded best goalkeeper of the tournament and Man of the Match honors. In 2024, Callender helped lead Inter Miami to win the Supporters’ Shield with five clean sheets, 104 saves, and a personal best goals-against average of 1.41.
He was selected for the United States Men’s National Team roster in both 2023 and 2024 for Concacaf Nations League semifinals and final matches.
Before joining Inter Miami ahead of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft through a trade involving his homegrown rights from San Jose Earthquakes, Callender played college soccer at Cal where he kept 16 clean sheets over four seasons.
The transaction marks Charlotte FC’s latest move to strengthen its roster as it prepares for upcoming competitions.
