According to GOAL, Charlotte FC is in early talks to capture Liverpool Montevideo’s Uruguayan sensation Luciano Rodriguez.
The striker, who helped Uruguay win the U-20 World Cup in Argentina in 2023, is being pursued by the third-year MLS team. While certain specifics are still being worked out, Charlotte is in talks to sign the 20-year-old forward to a Young Designated Player contract. If successful, the payment would rank among the highest in MLS history. According to sources, the fee would be at least $12 million and rank in the top five in MLS history. At $16 million in transfer fees, Atlanta United signed Thiago Almada, the current record holder in Major League Soccer.
After Charlotte lost two of their three DPs this summer, a possible trade has emerged. Kamil Jozwiak moved permanently to Granada, while Karol Swiderski left the team to take an initial loan at Hellas Verona. With Rodriguez expected to sign, Charlotte will have a youthful striker to assist in spearheading the assault, leaving Enzo Copetti as the only DP for the team.
Rodriguez’s achievements with Uruguay’s young national teams have helped him explode into the spotlight in the last year. He was his nation’s hero at the U-20 World Cup, helping Uruguay win the trophy for the first time by scoring the game-winning goal against Italy in the championship.
With six goals in as many games for Uruguay’s U-23 team, Rodriguez has also excelled. In January, the team announced Rodriguez’s inclusion in the CONMEBOL Olympic qualifying roster. Rodriguez regretfully saw Uruguay lose, even though he scored goals against Peru and Argentina and put on a hat-trick against Paraguay.
After rising through the levels at Progreso, Rodriguez joined Liverpool Montevideo in 2023. He led the team in goals scored in his debut season, going on to win the Uruguayan League’s Young Player of the Year award in 2023. He was also included on the Uruguayan Primera Division Team of the Year roster.
The likes of River Plate and Feyenoord have already expressed interest in the striker.
WHAT NEXT FOR CHARLOTTE FC?
Charlotte FC will open the MLS season, the club’s first under new coach Dean Smith, on February 24 at Bank of America Stadium as they host New York City FC. The club is entering its third season having made the playoffs for the first time in 2023 before falling to the New York Red Bulls in their first match.
