PHOTO | TROY HULL

Brian Romero, a 16-year-old from Concord, signed a homegrown deal with Charlotte FC's first team, a first for the MLS expansion franchise. The contract is good through the 2026 season with a team option for 2027.

Charlotte FC has its first homegrown player to a contract.

The club signed Concord native Brian Romero, 16, to a contract through 2026 with a team option for 2027. The transaction is part of Charlotte’s initiative to create a pipeline of youth talent for the MLS side.

Romero, a midfielder, joined Charlotte FC’s academy in 2020 from Charlotte Soccer Academy. He started with the U-15s before moving up to the U-17 side and was one of two academy players to train with the first team during preseason and has been invited to continue throughout the season.

“Becoming Charlotte FC’s first homegrown signing is a dream come true,” Romero said in a statement. “It’s an emotional moment for me and my family and I’m very excited for what is to come as a professional.”

Romero made his first team debut last month in a friendly against Premier League side Chelsea FC when he came off the bench late to draw a penalty that was converted by Daniel Rios to level the game at 1-1. Charlotte won on penalty kicks. 

“Brian is a tremendous young man who loves to play football and has a hunger to become the best player he can be. He’s shown his talent at the academy level and for the youth national team and has the potential to become one of the country’s top talents,” Charlotte sporting director Zoran Krneta said. “This is a signing for our future. Brian still has to grow and adjust to senior football, but we have a specific plan for his development, and he will be learning under coaches with a true passion for mentoring and developing young players.”

Romero, who is expected to play a major role for Charlotte’s inaugural MLS Next Pro team next season, earned an invitation to next week’s MLS Next All-Star Game in St. Paul, Minn.

“Youth development is at the core of our club philosophy, and it has long been our goal as a club to develop the top talent in the Carolinas,” said Charlotte technical director Bobby Belair. “This milestone is a testament to the hard work from everyone in the academy across talent identification, coaching, off-field education and beyond.”
 

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