RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Charlotte FC have signed Ecuador international midfielder Alan Franco on loan from Brazilian Serie A champions Atletico Mineiro, U.S. Major League Soccer's newest franchise said on Tuesday.
The move reunites the 23-year-old with Charlotte's Spanish manager Miguel Angel Ramirez, who previously worked with the playmaker at Independiente del Valle in the 2019-20 season.
"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 sporting director Zoran Krneta said in a statement.
"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."
The 12-month agreement includes an option for Charlotte to secure Franco, who has been capped 18 times for Ecuador, on a permanent deal.
Charlotte will begin their debut MLS season with a match against DC United in Washington DC on February 26. Enditem
