Jack Neeley signs homegrown deal with Charlotte FC

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Jack Neeley (second from right) and Nimfasha Berchimas are two of three homegrown players signed to Charlotte FC's first team. Brian Romero, who signed last year, was the first.

Charlotte FC has signed another homegrown player to the first team.

The Crown and center back Jack Neely, 18, agreed to terms Monday on a deal that will keep him in Charlotte through 2026 with an option for 2027. Neeley, who joined the first team for the preseason and played in a friendly against the Los Angeles Galaxy, is the Charlotte’s third homegrown signing. Brian Romero and Nimfasha Berchimas preceded him.

“I’m very excited to get to continue doing what I love to do on a professional level with Charlotte FC,” Neeley said in a statement. “I’ve had a love for the game and today is one of the best days of my life. I’m ready to represent the Carolinas on the Major League Soccer stage and wouldn’t want to begin my career anywhere else.”

Neeley was an inaugural class member of Charlotte FC Academy in 2020 after spending most of his youth career at Charlotte Soccer Academy. CLTFC Academy coach Patrick Daka was his CSA coach.

“We’re excited to welcome Jack as the third homegrown signing in Charlotte FC history. He’s a player we’re delighted to promote to the professional level and he’s eager to continue developing under the leadership of our technical staff,” sporting director Zoran Krneta said. “In his first two games this preseason, he was tasked with facing Mexico’s all-time leading goal scorer in Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez and then Christian Benteke, who has scored more than 100 goals across the Premier League and on the international level with Belgium. Those performances undoubtedly showed us he deserved to be part of our squad and we look forward to working with him to mold him into the player we know he can be in the future.”

As part of Charlotte FC’s “Carolina Homegrown Commitment” the club will give $10,000 to Charlotte Soccer Academy, as it did with CSA for Romero and NC Fusion for Berchimas. The commitment program rewards clubs that have a hand in developing a Charlotte FC homegrown player. To qualify for a donation, the club must be located in North or South Carolina and the player registered with the club at least 12 months between the ages of 12-15 before joining Charlotte FC Academy.

“Jack’s journey to earning a professional deal is a testament to his commitment to pursuing his dream and we’re extremely happy for Jack and his family. As an academy, we strive to develop the next generation of soccer players throughout the Carolinas, and to promote three players to the first team in less than 12 months is an accomplishment we can all be proud of,” Charlotte FC Executive Academy Director Bryan Scales.

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