TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
Charlotte FC have signed attacking midfielder Riley McGree from Adelaide United, the club announced Monday. McGree will spend 2020/21 on loan with Birmingham City in England's Championship.
McGree, 21, originally began his career with Adelaide through their academy but moved to Belgium's Club Brugge before returning to Adelaide. He has made 76 appearances in Australia's A-League, including a breakout campaign last year with 10 goals and five assists over 23 matches played.
“Riley is a young international player who has already proven to be an impressive goal scorer,” sporting director Zoran Krneta said in a club statement. “We are building our team with young talent that matches the aggressive style of play, and intensity in the game, that our fans will love to watch. Riley is a perfect fit for us, and we are thrilled to secure his signature for Charlotte FC with so many clubs in Europe fighting for him. His loan move to Birmingham City in England’s Championship, one of the top competitive soccer leagues in the world, will help Riley get to the top of his game and ready for our start in 2022.”
McGree has represented Australia at the youth level and is Charlotte's second-ever signing, following Sergio Ruiz earlier this summer. Ruiz is currently on loan in Spain's second tier. Birmingham finished 20th (of 24) in the Championship last season but have yet to lose in four games so far this season (one win, three draws).
“I’m so excited to be part of something special with Charlotte FC,” said McGree. “The opportunity to play in a fast-growing league like MLS is perfect for me and I’ll give everything I have to make our fans proud. After speaking with Zoran and learning about the club’s ambitions and goals, I couldn’t be more thrilled to join this team.”
Charlotte will join MLS in 2022.
