By Billy McGee
January 14, 2025
Charlotte FC’s offseason and transfer business is picking up, as the club announced the return of midfielder Pep Biel on another loan deal that runs through August 1, 2025.
Biel was brought in on a loan as a designated player in the 2024 summer transfer window, appearing in 11 matches in the MLS regular season and playoffs, scoring two goals and recording three assists. Biel joins The Crown from Olympiacos, where he contributed to 20 goals in 59 matches before going on loan to Augsburg prior to his move to Charlotte.
The most important aspect of the Biel signing is that it will not occupy a designated player slot, allowing Charlotte to make a big signing to bolster the roster. Biel flashed his talent at times last year, giving The Crown versatility, with the ability to play and provide creativity in the attack as both a midfielder and a winger. In the past year among midfielders and wingers, Biel was 98th percentile in assists per 90 minutes. During the later part of the season, he began to form a connection on the pitch with Karol Świderski, with chemistry that was evident by the spectacular goal they connected on early in the match against Chicago.
Another confirmed move for Charlotte FC is the departure of defender Jere Uronen. Uronen joined Charlotte in August 2023 and appeared in 38 matches in his time in the Queen City. He was a mainstay on the backline until the acquisition of Tim Ream in the summer transfer window shook up The Crown’s lineup. Uronen will join Swedish side AIK Fotboll on a permanent transfer. Charlotte will need to replace Uronen as a rotational defensive piece with a young player that could step up and take over the role, or look to sign a veteran. Some of the current options already on the team to fill Uronen’s spot include João Pedro, who was signed to the first team from Crown Legacy FC last offseason, and Jahlane Forbes, Charlotte’s second-round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft.
Charlotte made another transfer move, acquiring midfielder Eryk Williamson from the Portland Timbers, according to soccer insider Tom Bogert. Charlotte is reportedly sending $100,000 of general allocation money up-front to Portland, with more in add-ons.
The 27-year-old Williamson has made 112 appearances for Portland across all competitions, scoring six goals and 21 assists. He has also made six appearances for the United States men’s national team.
Williamson offers a player profile that Charlotte lacks: a defensive midfielder who is also a capable contributor in the attack. Among midfielders in the past year, he ranks in the 91st percentile in goals plus assists, 84th percentile in progressive carries, 78th percentile in shots on target, and 80th percentile in expected goals.
Charlotte’s transfer business is not done yet, as there are still many ways to improve the team. The acquisitions of Biel and Williamson strengthened the midfield, but they could still add another piece for depth or get a dynamic player that could help create chances, break lines, and make plays with the ball at their feet.
At the preseason press conference, head coach Dean Smith was asked about what the team still needs going into the season.
“I still feel like we probably need another goal-maker,” said Smith. When asked about the position he is looking to fill with the open DP slot, Smith said, “someone in the front part of the pitch that can create, can score goals and as I said before, double digits [goal contributions] for me. They have got to be that sort of quality that can go and produce.”
With the future of Świderski uncertain, the opening could be used on a winger to play opposite Liel Abada, with Biel playing in the midfield, or on an attacking midfielder, with Biel playing on the wing where he played during Charlotte’s unbeaten streak to end the regular season. Either option would help Charlotte create and convert more chances — an area they struggled with for much of last season. If Świderski were to leave the club, it would free up a second DP slot and Charlotte would need another center forward with Patrick Agyemang being the team’s only other player at the position.
Charlotte is not in a rush to make any transfers, as the start of the season is still over a month away and the transfer window extends into the season, but the preseason is now underway, with the club’s training camp in Miami set to run from January 19 through January 30. After Miami, The Crown will head to Cary for a friendly match with North Carolina FC on February 5. The team will then play in the Coachella Valley Invitational from February 6 through February 15, where they will have another training camp along with friendly matches against LA Galaxy and the Portland Timbers before the season opener in Seattle on February 22.
Check out the full 2025 Charlotte FC schedule.
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