Zoran Krneta General Manager | Charlotte Football Club Website
Zoran Krneta General Manager | Charlotte Football Club Website
Charlotte FC announced today the signing of Alan Franco from Brazilian champions Atlético Mineiro on a one-year loan deal with an option to buy. The move is pending the receipt of a P-1 visa and ITC.
The 23-year-old midfielder will occupy one of the international slots in the Club's inaugural lineup. Franco will reunite with Head Coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez in Charlotte. The midfielder was a key part of Ramírez's Independiente del Valle squad that triumphed in the 2019 Copa Sudamericana, starting all 11 matches and scoring two goals in the 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," said Charlotte FC Sporting Director Zoran Krneta. "Alan has been consistently part of Ecuador's national team, which is on track to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in a very challenging region. With this addition, we continue to add title-winning talent to our lineup as we approach our inaugural season, and we look forward to seeing Alan in Charlotte soon."
Franco has 18 international caps and one goal with Ecuador's national team, including appearances in nine of the 14 matches during the current CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying cycle. Ecuador is currently in third place and holds an automatic qualification spot with four matches remaining.
The Ecuadorian debuted with his childhood club, Independiente del Valle, at age 17 in 2016, making 75 appearances with five goals and six assists. After his success at Independiente, Franco moved to Atlético Mineiro in Brazil's top division in 2020. Over two seasons, he accumulated 47 appearances and scored three goals.
Transaction: Charlotte FC signs Alan Franco on a one-year loan from Atlético Mineiro with an option to buy.
Name: Alan Franco
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 160 lbs
Date of Birth: August 21, 1998
Age: 23
Place of Birth: Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador
Previous Club: Clube Atlético Mineiro
How acquired: One-year loan with an option to buy
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