Charlotte FC made a stunning acquisition as they successfully negotiated the transfer of winger Liel Abada from Celtic, overturning the Scottish club’s initial stance of refusal. The young star, who recently made the move to the MLS outfit, caught the attention of Brendan Rodgers following concerns about his mental state amid the conflict in his homeland of Israel. Reports suggest that Charlotte FC broke their own transfer record with an estimated fee of around $8 million (£6.2m), surpassing the previous high of $6.3 million paid for Enzo Copetti.
Zoran Krneta, the General Manager of Charlotte FC, expressed his delight over securing Abada’s services, emphasizing how the circumstances surrounding the player facilitated the change in Celtic’s position. Krneta highlighted Abada’s potential impact on the team’s performance, citing his impressive track record despite being just 22 years old.
The move signifies a rare occurrence in the MLS, with a promising young talent from Europe making the leap across the Atlantic. Krneta underlined the significance of this transfer, noting that it contrasts the usual trend of older players transitioning to the MLS towards the latter stages of their careers. Reflecting on the negotiation process, Krneta admitted that without the unique circumstances at play, Charlotte FC might not have been able to secure Abada’s signature from Celtic, given their previous resolute stance against a transfer. The GM revealed that discussions with Celtic began a year prior, with the Scottish club initially adamant about retaining the player.
In conclusion, the successful acquisition of Liel Abada represents a major coup for Charlotte FC, showcasing their ability to navigate complex transfer negotiations and land a highly sought-after talent in the competitive world of football.
