Done deal!
Ahead of their first-ever season, Major League Soccer expansion side Charlotte FC have added Ecuadorian midfielder, Alan Franco. The 23-year-old midfielder arrives on loan from the Brazilian side Atlético Mineiro. Charlotte will have an option to make the deal permanent for around $2 million next winter. Furthermore, the MLS club will be paying Franco’s full wages, which are understood to be in the region of $200,000.
“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,” sporting director Zoran Krneta said in a club 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.”
Atlético Mineiro signed Franco for $2.31 million from Independiente de Valle in July 2020. Franco managed 47 games (three goals) at Atlético Mineiro overall but only had five appearances in the Série A this season. At Charlotte, Franco will reunite with head coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez with whom he won the Copa Sudamericana in 2019. With a market value of $2.75 million, Franco is now the most valuable signing ahead of the 2021 season (overview of all transfers).
