Charlotte (NC) — On Monday, the Charlotte Independence professional soccer team announced forward Guido Vadalá (GEE-doe vuh-DAL-uh) has signed for the 2020 USL Championship season, pending league, federation and P-1 visa approval. The 23-year-old forward most recently played for Club Deportes Tolima in the Columbian first division while on loan for Boca Juniors.

“We’re excited to be able to bring in Guido,” said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. “Having competed with some of the biggest clubs in the world, he brings a pedigree and mentality of a player beyond his age. He’s got dynamic one-vs-one and attacking abilities, but certainly technical abilities which makes a good fit for how we want to play.“

A native of Rosario, Argentina, Vadalá joined the Boca Juniors youth system in 2012. As a 19-year-old, Vadalá was a piece of a blockbuster transfer deal which sent Argentinian international forward Carlos Tevez to Boca Juniors. In exchange Vadalá joined world-renowned, Italian club Juventus on a two-year loan. Following the 2016 season, Vadalá returned to the Argentina first division, this time on loan to Unión de Santa Fe. He made his Superliga Argentina debut for Boca Juniors during the 2018-19 season, and would go on to make four appearances and score one goal. For the next two seasons, Vadalá competed in the Chilean first division and Colombian first division with Universidad de Concepción and Deportes Tolima, respectively.

Vadalá marks the 19th player added to the 2020 Charlotte Independence roster. The club exercised team-options on four players’ contracts, reached new contracts with three returning players, made eight new signings, added two academy contract players, and received one player on loan as the team prepares for the 2020 Season Opening match versus Sporting Kansas City II on Sunday, March 8th.

Current Charlotte Independence roster:

Forward: Enzo Martinez, Dane Kelly, Guido Vadalá

Midfielder: Jake Areman, Kevan George, Valentin Sabella, Junior Etou, Oscar Ramsay, Derek Gebhard, Rey Ortiz

Defender: Clay Dimick, Joel Johnson, Hugh Roberts, Casey Penland, Duke Lacroix, Owen Barber, Joey Skinner

Goalkeeper: Brandon Miller, Austin Pack

The Charlotte Independence will open the 2020 USL Championship season at Sporting Kansas City II on Sunday, March 8th. The Independence will open the 2020 home schedule the following weekend on Saturday, March 14th against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at the Sportsplex at Matthews. For more information on 2020 Season Memberships, please visit charlotteindependence.com or call the Independence front office at 704-206-1515.