PHOTO/CLEMSON ATHLETICS

The Charlotte Independence signed former D.C. United midfielder Paul Clowes to a contract. The Clemson alumnus was the 32nd pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.

The Charlotte Independence has signed former D.C. United midfielder Paul Clowes.

The Clemson alumnus is the 14th new player to reach agreement with Charlotte this season, and brings the roster to 21 contracted players, excluding those on loan from the MLS Colorado Rapids. He is eligible to play in Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup game against the Carolina RailHawks.

“Paul is a player we have scouted over the last couple of years, as he played at Clemson, and had our eye on at the beginning of preseason,” said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. “In addition to strong technical qualities, Paul possesses great leadership and competitiveness, both of which helped Clemson to its success over the past couple of years.”

Clowes was the 32nd overall draft pick by D.C. United in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft and was loaned to USL affiliate Richmond Kickers, where he made one appearance for 24 minutes in a 3-1 win against Harrisburg City Islanders March 26. United waived Clowes May 11 to make room for Alhaji Kamara.

A four-year starter at Clemson, Clowes appeared in 85 games for the Tigers (81 starts), scored four goals and tallied 10 assists. He earned ACC Midfielder of the Year as a senior and captained the Tigers to the NCAA College Cup Championship game, which the Tigers lost to Stanford. Clowes was named a MAC Hermann semifinalist, NSCAA second team All-America,  first team All-South Region and first team All-ACC.

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