New MLS expansion team Charlotte FC have signed Leicester City defender Christian Fuchs as a Domestic Player on a one-year contract with a club option for 2023.
The 35-year-old player will move to North Carolina in January 2022 ahead of their inaugural season, the team announced Sunday.
The former Austrian national team captain lived a successful career in Europe, famously winning the 2015/16 Premier League title and the 2020/21 English FA Cup.
“As we continue to add to our Charlotte FC roster, we are proud to welcome Christian to the club. He is an experienced and proven leader, who has played consistently at a very high level,” said Charlotte FC Sporting Director Zoran Krneta. “As a versatile defender who can cover several positions in our defense, Christian will have an integral role in building a competitive team from the beginning.”
Fuchs made 152 appearances over the course of his six-year career at Leicester City, most prominently lifting the trophy in 2016 after a whirlwind Cinderella story for the Premier League side. Before making his way to England, the defender played for Bundesliga’s Bochum, Mainz and Schalke.
I’m excited to join @CharlotteFC and get to work in the Queen City! 2022 can’t come soon enough. #ForTheCrown pic.twitter.com/HVDwTvk2W4
— Christian Fuchs (@FuchsOfficial) June 6, 2021
“I’m impressed with Charlotte FC’s vision for building a successful team,” said Fuchs. “This is an extraordinary opportunity to build upon the pillars of progressive, collective and ambitious that are already ingrained in the Queen City.
"Alongside a diverse staff who make up this club, we can lean on the soccer community from all over the world to create even more of a competitive and hardworking CLTFC family. I look forward to starting from day one to help make Charlotte FC a winning club.”
Fuchs joins players Sergio Ruiz, Riley McGree, Jan Sobocinski and Brandt Broncio as part of Charlotte FC’s inaugural roster for 2022.
Off the pitch, the Austrian defender became the first Premier League player to kick-start his own esports academy and the Foxes Sports Foundation, which aims to help children through soccer.
Source: 90min
