Charlotte FC Introduces “Carolina Homegrown Commitment”
October 24, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Charlotte FC News Release
Charlotte FC is committed to collaborating with clubs across the Carolinas in an effort to develop players who can succeed at the highest levels of the domestic and international game. In acknowledgment and appreciation for their involvement in Brian Romero’s development as an MLS Homegrown Player, the Club gifted $10,000 to Charlotte Soccer Academy with the hope to support their effort in providing access to young players across the Charlotte region.
“We are very appreciative of the relationships and collaboration with clubs throughout our Homegrown territory of North and South Carolina,” said CLTFC Executive Academy Director Bryan Scales. “This acknowledgement of CSA’s role in Brian’s professional pathway is well-deserved. As our club and academy continue to grow, we expect there will be many more young players, representing clubs across the Carolinas, who put on the Charlotte FC kit when they begin their professional soccer careers.”
The $10K gift to CSA is the first of Charlotte FC’s “Carolina Homegrown Commitment” that rewards clubs who play a significant part in the development of a Charlotte FC Homegrown player. In order to be eligible to receive a donation, the club must be in Carolinas and the player must have been registered with the club for a minimum of 12-month between the ages of 12-15 immediately prior to joining the Charlotte FC Academy.
“We are proud to start the “Carolina Homegrown Commitment” and recognize the work of the clubs in the region,” said CLTFC Technical Director Bobby Belair. “We have an extremely talent rich region throughout the Carolinas, and we know that the signing of Brian Romero and our commitment to honor CSA is just the tip of the iceberg. We are looking forward to developing our relationships further with youth clubs across the Carolinas to produce more Homegrown talents and show the undeniable quality in this region.”
Charlotte FC players Brian Romero and Jaylin Lindsey both greatly benefited from their time in CSA, and both clubs hope it’s just the start of a fruitful relationship.
“We at Charlotte Soccer Academy are extremely appreciative of the support we have been given by Charlotte FC since their inception,” said CSA Executive Director Brad Wylde. “We were excited about the opportunity to finally have an MLS team in our great city and during the bid process we hope we did our part to help Mr. Tepper and his team validate the popularity and interest soccer has here in Charlotte.
“We have a great relationship with all of the staff at Charlotte FC and to see former CSA players like Jaylin Lindsey turn professional, and now have another former player in Brian Romero, sign the first home grown contract makes everyone at the club proud to be a part of Charlotte FC’s player development process.
We feel Brian, and Jaylin before him, are the first of many CSA players that will be coming through the ranks and representing our city MLS and we look forward to more great seasons with Charlotte FC.”
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