Charlotte FC announced the signing of American goalkeeper Chituru Odunze on Jan. 18, 2024. Odunze joined the Club’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, Crown Legacy FC, on Aug. 2, 2023.
In 2024, Odunze primarily appeared with Crown Legacy FC, featuring in 18 contests, keeping two clean sheets and making 56 saves on the year. Odunze was invited to MLS All-Star to participate in the second iteration of Goalie Wars. The American keeper kept two clean sheets to claim victory in the event and brought home the championship belt for the second consecutive year for the Club.
A Raleigh native, Odunze joined Crown Legacy during the summer transfer window of 2023. He made his debut with the Club on Aug. 19 in an away matchup against Inter Miami CF II. Odunze made nine saves during the 2023 campaign and registered one clean sheet.
Prior to joining the club, Odunze was at Leicester City during their spell in the English Premier League, starting in 20 matches and keeping four clean sheets for the U-21 side during the 2022/23 Premier League 2 season. The keeper spent much of his childhood in England and Canada, where he featured in the Academy systems of Chelsea FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC before he moved to Leicester at 16.
On the international stage, Odunze was a staple of the Unites States Youth National Team system. He represented the United States at the U-23 Pan-American Games in Chile in 2023. He also been called up to the United States Men’s National Team in November 2020 and March 2021.
2024 (Crown Legacy FC): MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season – Appeared in 25 matches, making 19 starts, totaling 1,734 minutes. Recorded a goal and five assists in the 2024 campaign. Posted a record of 6W-6D-6L. U.S. Open Cup – Started in the Club’s matchup against South Carolina United Heat.
2023 (Crown Legacy FC): MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season – Appeared in three matches, making three starts, tallying nine saves. Made his debut with Crown Legacy on Aug. 17 against Inter Miami CF II. Kept a clean sheet against New England Revolution II on Sept. 17. Posted a record of 2W-1D-0L.
International: Called up to the United States Men’s National Team in November 2020 for friendly matches against Wales and Panama and in March 2023 for friendlies against Jamaica and Northern Ireland. Most recently represented the USA at the U-23 Pan-American Games in Chile in 2023. Started in two matches in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He is also eligible to represent Canada, England and Nigeria.
