CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Thursday, February 19, 2026) – Charlotte FC today announced that the Club has signed MLS SuperDraft defender Will Cleary to a professional contract ahead of the 2026 campaign. Cleary is signed through the 2026 MLS season with a Club option for June of 2027, 2027-28 and 2028-29.
“We are excited to sign Will to his first professional contracts after impressive preseason performances with the First Team,” said Charlotte FC General Manager Zoran Krneta. The MLS SuperDraft continues to prove to be a valuable path for young players and for the Club to identify exciting talents flying under the radar. He has shown tremendous work ethic and tendencies that will translate seamlessly into our squad. We look forward to his first professional season and the depth that they will provide in an exciting 2026 season and their progression in our Pro Player Pathway that has proven to successfully develop SuperDraft selections.”
Cleary, 23, was selected by Charlotte FC in the First Round of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, taken with the 22nd overall pick out of Stanford University. He served as Stanford’s senior captain in 2025, where he led one of the NCAA’s strongest backlines to its fourth consecutive appearance in the Third Round of the NCAA tournament. The Windsor, Connecticut native made 79 career appearances with the Cardinal, 66 starts, and tallied six goals and nine assists across 6,119 minutes. Cleary also excelled off the pitch, garnering First Team Academic All-American honors in 2025, as well as conference academic nods in 2023 and 2025.
Before his collegiate career, Cleary was a highly decorated player in the New England region, earning a variety of region honors while competing with The Loomis Chaffee School and won the NEPL East Division Championship in 2021.
Transaction: Charlotte FC signs defender Will Cleary to a contract through 2026, with a Club option for June of 2027, 2027-28 and 2028-29.
Name: Will Cleary
Position: Defender
Birthplace: Windsor, Connecticut
Birthdate: 2/17/2003
Age: 23
Height: 6’2”
Last Club: Stanford University
THE PARTY IS BACK
The Crown returns to action on March 7th at 7:30 p.m. against Austin FC. The first fans to arrive will receive the limited-edition party shirt presented by Ally.
