Charlotte FC has signed midfielder Aron John to a short-term agreement from its MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, Crown Legacy. The club announced that John will be available for the match against Austin FC at Bank of America Stadium.
John, who is 19 years old, has been involved with the senior team during preseason and regular training sessions this year. He recently recorded an assist in Crown Legacy’s season-opening 4-1 victory over Chattanooga.
Last season, John had a standout performance with Crown Legacy FC, earning MLS NEXT Pro Best XI honors after scoring eight goals and providing ten assists. These ten assists tied him for third in goal contributions in the league and matched the single-season record for assists. In June, he was voted MLS NEXT Rising Star of the Month before signing his first professional contract on July 12. He continued his form into this year with one goal and three assists in thirteen games.
John began gaining professional experience during the 2023 season by appearing in six matches as a substitute. His debut came on June 11, 2023, against Columbus Crew 2 when he was 17 years old.
A native of Charlotte, John joined the Charlotte FC Academy at age sixteen and became the first recipient of the club’s Academy Player of the Year award after scoring six goals and making six assists during the 2022/23 season.
According to Major League Soccer rules, clubs can sign players from their MLS NEXT Pro affiliates on short-term agreements for participation in competitions such as MLS matches, U.S. Open Cup games, Concacaf Champions League fixtures, Canadian Championship contests, and exhibition matches.
Charlotte Football Club is based in Charlotte, North Carolina and competes as a professional soccer team in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference according to its official website. The club was established as an expansion franchise with its inaugural season taking place in 2022 as stated on its official website.
