In the buildup to Charlotte FC’s inaugural season, members of the inaugural roster will earn valuable game time with other clubs around the world. Every month before first kick, CharlotteFootballClub.com will check in with our Loan Stars to report on their progress…
Sergio Ruiz (Las Palmas)
Charlotte FC’s first-ever signing capped off a highly successful season on loan with Las Palmas, in Spain’s second division, with six excellent performances in May. In Las Palmas’ penultimate game of the campaign, a 3-2 win over Albacete, Ruiz assisted the second goal with a superb ball over-the-top to bypass the defense.
The 26-year-old played in 37 of Las Palmas’ 42 games this season, notching five goals and six assists. Per FotMob, the central midfielder created 43 chances this season, while completing 32 interceptions and 35 clearances.
Riley McGree (Birmingham City)
Australian midfielder McGree closed out his season on loan with Birmingham as a regular presence in coach Lee Bower’s starting XI.
McGree played 15 times for Birmingham over the course of the English Championship season, and scored his first goal for the club in a 2-1 win over Preston North End in October.
As a reward for his efforts in the English Midlands, the 22-year-old was rewarded with an extension to his loan contract at the conclusion of the Championship season.
Furthermore, McGree was given a call-up to the Australian National Team for a series of World Cup qualifiers this June. The midfielder is in line for a senior-team debut in Australia’s qualifier against Kuwait on Friday, June 4.
Brandt Bronico (Charlotte Independence)
North Carolina native Bronico is spending the 2021 season in the Queen City, playing with the Charlotte Independence.
The USL side played the first four matches of the season in May, during which Bronico was ever-present in central midfield.
In the away game at the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on May 23, the 25-year-old earned the Man of the Match award, with 39 accurate passes, four duels won and a shot on target (per FotMob).
Jan Sobociński (ŁKS Łódź)
Charlotte FC’s most recent roster addition is helping ŁKS Łódź chase promotion to the Polish top division. At the time of writing, Łódź sit in fifth spot in the Polish I Liga, with a six-point cushion in the playoff spots and four games remaining.
In May, Sobociński played two full league matches, against promotion rivals Miedź Legnica and Chrobry Głogów.
