Charlotte FC in advanced talks to sign Uruguay U-20 World Cup hero Luciano Rodriguez in club-record transfer

The striker, who helped Uruguay win the U-20 World Cup in Argentina in 2023, is being pursued by the third-year MLS team. While certain specifics are still being worked out, Charlotte is in talks to sign the 20-year-old forward to a Young Designated Player contract. If successful, the payment would rank among the highest in MLS history. According to sources, the fee would be at least $12 million and rank in the top five in MLS history. At $16 million in transfer fees, Atlanta United signed Thiago Almada, the current record holder in Major League Soccer.

After Charlotte lost two of their three DPs this summer, a possible trade has emerged. Kamil Jozwiak moved permanently to Granada, while Karol Swiderski left the team to take an initial loan at Hellas Verona. With Rodriguez expected to sign, Charlotte will have a youthful striker to assist in spearheading the offense, leaving Enzo Copetti as the only DP for the team.

Rodriguez is the most recent Uruguayan to join Major League Soccer (MLS), which is still a breeding ground for promising young players from the continent. Following their own early-career migrations to the US, Diego Rossi and Facundo Torres have emerged as stars in Major League Soccer (MLS), and iconic Luis Suarez recently joined with Inter Miami to reunite with old teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.

At Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte FC will welcome New York City FC on February 24 to kick off the MLS season—the team’s first under new coach Dean Smith. After making the playoffs for the first time in 2023 and losing to the New York Red Bulls in their opening game, the team is now in its third season.