Charlotte FC Defender Hamady Diop Picked by San Diego FC in MLS Expansion Draft
Diop, a former Clemson Tiger, was the first-overall selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft
On Wednesday night, Major League Soccer’s newest team drafted five players into their ranks - including Charlotte FC defender Hamady Diop - in the MLS Expansion Draft.
Diop, a former Clemson Tiger, was the first-overall selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. He played three games for Charlotte FC and 11 for the club’s MLS NEXT Pro team Crown Legacy FC before being loaned to FK Čukarički in Serbia.
Charlotte FC will receive $50,000 General Allocation Money (GAM) for having a player selected. According to a source with knowledge, with Diop being on loan for the season he “wasn’t really a factor” for Charlotte FC.
San Diego FC also drafted Heine Gikling Bruseth from Orlando City SC; Jasper Löffelsend from the Colorado Rapids; Hosei Kijima from St. Louis CITY SC; and Thiago Andrade from New York City SC. Kijima was traded to DC United, while Andrade was transferred to Toronto FC
Charlotte FC had to choose to 12 players to protect from the Expansion Draft, in addition to homegrown players and other young players automatically protected by MLS rules.
Homegrown players Nimfasha Berchimas, Brandon Cambridge, Jack Neeley, and Brian Romero were automatically protected.
Charlotte FC elected to protect 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Kristijan Kahlina, designated player Liel Abada; the club’s 2024 top goal scorer Patrick Agyemang; captain Ashley Westwood; U.S. Men’s National Team member Tim Ream; starting defenders Nathan Byrne, Adilson Malanda, and Andrew Privett; midfielders Brandt Bronico, Djibril Diani, and Nikola Petkovic; and winger Kerwin Vargas.
Meanwhile, in addition to Diop, Charlotte FC’s unprotected list raised eyebrows by including designated player Karol Świderski, defensive stalwart Jere Uronen, fan favorite midfielder Ben Bender. However, Świderski’s salary expectations made him an unlikely pick in the Expansion Draft.
Other unprotected players included goalkeepers David Bingham, George Marks, and Chituru Odunze; young forwards Tyger Smalls and Iuri Tavares; free agents Pep Biel, Júnior Urso, and Jamie Patterson, whose contract options were declined by the club; and other lest frequent players including players including Jahlane Forbes, João Pedro, Nick Scardina, Idan Toklomati, Bill Tuiloma.
With the expansion draft concluded, Charlotte FC’s current roster for 2025 is as follows:
Goalkeepers (4): David Bingham, Kristijan Kahlina, George Marks, Chituru Odunze
Defenders (9): Nathan Byrne, Jahlane Forbes, Adilson Malanda, Jack Neeley, Joao Pedro, Andrew Privett, Tim Ream, Bill Tuiloma, Jere Uronen
Midfielders (8): Ben Bender, Brandt Bronico, Brandon Cambridge, Djibril Diani, Nikola Petkovic, Brian Romero, Nicholas Scardina, Ashley Westwood
Forwards (8): Patrick Agyemang, Nimfasha Berchimias, Liel Abada, Tyger Smalls, Karol Swiderski, Iuri Tavares, Idan Toklomati, Kerwin Vargas