PHOTO | CHARLOTTE FC

Charlotte FC signed striker Karol Swiderski from Greek side PAOK to a Designated Player contract through the 2025 season with an option for 2026.

Charlotte FC finally landed the attacker they’ve been looking for.

The club has signed striker Karol Swiderski from Greek team PAOK to a Designated Player contract through the 2025 season with an option for 2026. Swiderski, whose addition is pending receipt of a visa, will occupy an international roster slot.

Swiderski, 25, who joined PAOK in 2018, scored 35 goals in 135 appearances while adding 14 assists. In Greece, he won three trophies, including the 2018-19 Super League Greece and two Greek Cups.

Swiderski was called to the Polish national team last year and earned a spot on the roster for last summer’s European Championship, where he scored off the bench in a 3-0 World Cup Qualifier win against Andorra.

“We’re delighted to welcome a player of Karol’s caliber to Charlotte FC to spearhead our attack. He’s proven to be a lethal goal scorer at both the club and international level, and to secure his signing as our first Designated Player is an excellent achievement for our club,” Charlotte Sporting Director Zoran Krneta said in a statement. “Karol’s profile as a striker is everything we need in a number nine and he is a player who is entering the prime of his career.”

Swiderski is the second Polish player on CLTFC’s roster, along with childhood schoolmate Jan Sobocinski.

Swiderski made nine total appearances during the European Championship qualifiers, tallying five goals to help Poland to a runner-up finish in Group I and the UEFA World Cup qualifying playoffs in March.

“His performances for Poland on the international stage speak for themselves and we’re confident Karol will be one of the toughest strikers to defend in the league,” Krneta said. “Additionally, he has a high work ethic, a title-winning mentality, and will bring excellent leadership and character into the locker room.”

Swiderski began his professional career in his native Poland with Jagiellonia Bialystok, where he scored 25 goals in 128 appearances before being bought by PAOK.

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