Soccer America - Paul Kennedy
12/29/21

Charlotte FC, which will begin its first MLS season in 2022, signed Croatian goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina from Bulgarian champion Ludogorets Razgrad to a contract until 2024 with an option for 2025.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper started 10 of 17 Bulgarian league games this season as well as 14 of 16 games in the UEFA Champions League qualifying and Europa League group stage.

He is the ninth player Charlotte FC has signed to occupy an international roster slot on its inaugural roster. It has traded for three more international roster slots it give it 11 in 2022. MLS allows teams to have eight international players in addition to an unlimited number of players who hold green-cards.

The international players represent eight different countries: Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Poland, Spain and Uruguay in addition to Croatia. Charlotte FC also has green-card holders from Austria, Costa Rica, England and Ghana. Goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega was born and raised in Mexico but also holds U.S. and German citizenship.

Goalkeepers (2): *Kristijan Kahlina (Ludogorets Razgrad/BUL, transfer), Pablo Sisniega (LAFC, trade).

Defenders (8): Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, free agent), Adam Armour (Nuremberg/GER, free agent), *Guzman Corujo (Nacional/URU, free agent), Christian Fuchs (Leicester City, free agent), Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting KC, trade), Joseph Mora (D.C. United, Expansion Draft), *Jan Sobociski (LKS Lodz/POL, transfer), Anton Walkes (Atlanta United, Expansion Draft).

Midfielders (5): *Jordy Alcívar (LDU Quito/ECU, transfer), Brandt Bronico (Chicago Fire, free agent), *Alan Franco (Atlético Mineiro/BRA, loan), *Riley McGree (Adelaide United/AUS, transfer), *Sergio Ruiz (Racing Santander/ESP, transfer).

Forwards (3): McKinze Gaines (Austin FC, Expansion Draft), *Vinicius Mello (Internacional/BRA, U22 Initiative), *Yordy Reyna (D.C. United, free agent).

*Will occupy international roster slot.

Note: Charlotte FC, which has signed nine players to international roster slots, acquired three to give them 11 in 2022.)