Charlotte FC confirms Pep Biel transfer, Nikola Petkovic loan

CHARLOTTE FC

Charlotte FC midfielder Pep Biel will remain with the Crown for at least two more seasons after the team acquired his services from Olympiacos on a permanent transfer.

Charlotte FC’s keeping a core midfielder on the roster and shipping another to an MLS West rival. 

The Crown announced earlier in the week that midfielder Pep Biel has been acquired from Olympiacos on a permanent transfer. Biel’s contract makes him a Designated Player and runs through 2027, with a club option for an extra year. 

Charlotte FC sent midfielder Nikola Petkovic to Seattle Sounders FC on a season-long loan in exchange for Seattle’s 2027 third round pick in the MLS SuperDraft and up to $250,000 in 2027 general allocation money if certain performance-based benchmarks are met.

Biel, 29, tallied 12 goals and 15 assists in 35 league matches over two seasons, including 10 goals and a team-best 12 assists in 26 matches in 2025 – making him one of 11 MLS players to reach the 10/10 plateau. His goals tally tied Wilfried Zaha for second among Charlotte players. Biel was shelved by knee and hamstring injuries that forced him to miss the postseason.

“Pep proved that he is a difference maker in this league and one of the key attacking players with a good work rate at this club and we’re delighted to welcome him permanently on a long-term contract,” Charlotte general manager Zoran Krneta said in a statement. “We hope to see him bounce back from his late-season injury and return to the MVP-caliber form we saw last year.” 

 
Petkovic, 22, played in eight games across all competitions last season, with a goal and an assist. Moving him to Seattle gives Charlotte roster flexibility to improve depth.

“It is crucial for young players to earn minutes to continue their development,” Krneta said. “We are happy to partner with Seattle on a loan opportunity for Nikola to earn more first team minutes this year. This move opens up a U22 Initiative slot and international roster spot which gives us more options to improve the squad at other positions.”

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