CHARLOTTE, NC (Tuesday, December 21, 2021) – Charlotte FC today announced the Club has signed Alan Franco from Brazilian champions Atlético Mineiro on a year-long loan deal with an option to purchase. The move is pending receipt of a P-1 visa and ITC.
The 23-year-old central midfielder will occupy an international roster slot on the Club’s inaugural roster.
Franco will reunite with head coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez in Charlotte. The midfielder was an instrumental part of Ramírez’s Independiente del Valle squad that triumphed in the 2019 Copa Sudamericana, starting all 11 matches and adding 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 Sporting Director Zoran Krneta. “He has become a regular in the Ecuador national team, who are on pace to qualify for the World Cup in a very challenging region. 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 has 18 caps and one goal for the Ecuadorian National Team, including appearances in nine out of 14 games during the current CONMEBOL World Cup Qualification cycle. Ecuador currently sit in third place and an automatic qualification spot with four games remaining.
The Ecuadorian debuted for his boyhood club, Independiente del Valle, as a 17-year-old in 2016, going on to make 75 appearances with five goals and six assists.
After his success at Independiente, Franco moved to Atlético Mineiro in Brazil’s first division in 2020. Across two seasons he accumulated 47 appearances while scoring three goals.
Transaction: Charlotte FC signs Alan Franco on a year-long loan from Atlético Mineiro with an option to purchase.
Name: Alan Franco
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 160 lbs
Date of Birth: August 21, 1998
Age: 23
Birthplace: Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador
Last Club: Clube Atlético Mineiro
How Acquired: One year loan with option to purchase
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