PHOTO | TROY HULL

Jorge Herrera, 39, the first player to sign with Charlotte Independence, announced his retirement to take a front office position with Charlotte MLS franchise.

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Jorge Herrera is joining Charlotte MLS.

Sources confirm that the longtime USL player will join the latest Major League Soccer franchise’s front office staff. The team begins play in 2021, and is owned by Tepper Sports and Entertainment, which also owns the Carolina Panthers.

Herrera was initially expected to play another season with the Charlotte Independence in USL Championship. However, they officially announced his retirement today. He was their inaugural signing in 2015.

Herrera, who turns 40 on Sept. 11, seemed to get better with age, and retires as the third-oldest goal scorer in USL Championship history. Even the eternal optimist did not expect his playing career to last this long.

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“Honestly, I never thought I would play for this many years,” Herrera said in a statement. “If you do stuff the right way, it’s most likely that good things are going to happen.”

Herrera’s name is synonymous with Charlotte soccer. He moved to the United States from Colombia in 1999 and spent most of his USL career with the Charlotte Eagles, who currently play in USL League Two. He retires with 231 appearances, 15,833 minutes played, 72 regular-season goals and 35 career assists, second most in USL history across each category.

“I just love the guy,” Independence President Jim McPhilliamy said in a statement. “He’s a tremendous father and husband and figure in this community. I’m so excited for his next chapter and I thank him for everything he’s mean for this team.”

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