18-year-old Charlottean becomes the Club鈥檚 third player to be promoted from the Academy to sign a professional contract
CHARLOTTE, NC (Friday, March 24, 2023) 鈥 Charlotte FC today announced the Club has signed defender Jack Neeley as a Homegrown player through 2026 with an option for 2027.听
The center back becomes the Club鈥檚 third Homegrown signing following in the footsteps of Brian Romero and Nimfasha Berchimas.听
鈥淚鈥檓 very excited to get to continue doing what I love to do on a professional level with Charlotte FC,鈥 said Neeley. 鈥淚鈥檝e had a love for the game and today is one of the best days of my life. I鈥檓 ready to represent the Carolinas on the Major League Soccer stage and wouldn鈥檛 want to begin my career anywhere else.鈥澨
Neeley, who turned 18 earlier this year, joined the Charlotte FC First Team for preseason in 2023 and made his unofficial debut in the Club鈥檚 friendly against the Los Angeles Galaxy.听
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to welcome Jack as the third Homegrown signing in Charlotte FC history. He鈥檚 a player we鈥檙e delighted to promote to the professional level and he鈥檚 eager to continue developing under the leadership of our technical staff,鈥 said Sporting Director Zoran Krneta. 鈥淚n his first two games this preseason, he was tasked with facing Mexico鈥檚 all-time leading goal scorer in Javier 鈥淐hicharito鈥 Hernandez and then Christian Benteke who has scored more than 100 goals across the Premier League and on the international level with Belgium. Those performances undoubtedly showed us he deserved to be part of our squad and we look forward to working with him to mold him into the player we know he can be in the future.鈥澨
Neeley joined the Charlotte FC Academy in 2020 as part of the inaugural class of players after spending most of his youth career at Charlotte Soccer Academy where he was coached by current CLTFC Academy coach Patrick Daka.听
鈥淛ack鈥檚 journey to earning a professional deal is a testament to his commitment to pursuing his dream and we鈥檙e extremely happy for Jack and his family. As an Academy, we strive to develop the next generation of soccer players throughout the Carolinas, and to promote three players to the First Team in less than 12-months is an accomplishment we can all be proud of,鈥 said CLTFC Executive Academy Director Bryan Scales. 鈥淲e continue to be very appreciative of the cooperation with clubs throughout our Homegrown territory and thank Charlotte Soccer Academy for their role in Jack鈥檚 development.鈥澨
As part of Charlotte FC鈥檚 鈥淐arolina Homegrown Commitment鈥 the Club will gift $10,000 to Charlotte Soccer Academy. Previous gifts to local clubs include the signing of Brian Romero (CSA) and Nimfasha Berchimas (NC Fusion).听
The 鈥淐arolina Homegrown Commitment鈥 rewards clubs who play a significant part in the development of a Charlotte FC Homegrown player. In order to be eligible to receive a donation, the club must be in the Carolinas and the player must have been registered with the club for a minimum of 12-months between the ages of 12-15 immediately prior to joining the Charlotte FC Academy.听听
Transaction:听Defender Jack Neeley signs first profession contract as a Homegrown player through 2026 with an option for 2027.听
听
Name:听Jack Neeley听
Position:听Defender听
Height:听6鈥1鈥
Weight:听170 lbs
Date of Birth:听March 11, 2005听
Age:听18
Birthplace:听Loxahatchee, Florida听
Hometown:听Charlotte, North Carolina听
Last Club:听Charlotte FC Academy
How Acquired:听Homegrown Signing
