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CHARLOTTE – Charlotte FC’s latest signing, forward Andre Shinyashiki, has already gotten a taste of what it’s like to train under his new coaching staff and alongside his new teammates. 

“It’s been amazing honestly, I think I was ready for a new challenge, a new opportunity. When Charlotte came knocking on my door, I didn’t think twice. I heard great things about the club, the facilities. I know there are a lot of investments being made and I just want to be a part of it. 

“Obviously, there are some challenges that come with being an expansion club, but I feel like they have addressed those really well. I just can’t wait to get started and help the team get some wins.” 

Shinyashiki has a unique perspective on Charlotte FC with his experience playing against the Crown. Just a little over a week ago, he was on the opposing side when the Club faced the Colorado Rapids. 

“It’s actually funny, because I was talking to Miguel [Ramírez] about it, he asked me what do you think about how we play and things like that. I just love the way they play, I think they caused a lot of problems for us with their positions and where they were getting the ball. And to be fair they probably should have won the game.  

“For me I like the attacking football style they play, the press, really putting teams on the back foot. I was really impressed by the first trainings I’ve already had. It’s really intense and I think, in the long term, it will be very successful.” 

Something that has stood out specifically to 2019 Rookie of the year about his new coach’s system is that it focuses on putting players in threatening positions. An appealing aspect, especially for attackers like him. 

“I think a lot of what Miguel does is put players in positions that cause uncertainty and cause problems for the other team. As a striker, as a winger, I think that the collective of the group of attackers is just the intensity. There is a lot of intensity and a lot of sharpness in what we do.  

“When you put players in positions that make the opposition uncomfortable, you create a time edge. When you have that time edge it’s really hard for teams to stop you. If we can be sharp in the final third I think we will score a lot of goals. I think with the quality of the players we have here, I don’t think that will be a problem.” 

While playing for the Rapids, Shinyashiki’s versatility and work ethic were valued more than his potential attacking output, and as a result, was normally played in more defensive positions and roles. It was the prospect of playing in his more favored attacking roles that really attracted him to Charlotte.  

“After talking to Miguel, some of the assistant coaches, and even Zoran, a lot of it is my ability to read plays on the ball and with the ball and being close to goal. To score goals and get assists and things like that. So, I think you guys can expect me to play a little higher up the field than I did in Colorado. 

“That’s what I wanted to do and what I came here for. That’s one of the reasons I decided to come to Charlotte, was because the coaching staff, not just Miguel, they all believe that I can score goals and that’s what I believe I can do as well."