CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Thursday, February 19, 2026) – Charlotte FC today announced that the Club has signed MLS SuperDraft defender Will Cleary to a professional contract ahead of the 2026 campaign. Cleary is signed through the 2026 MLS season with a Club option for June of 2027, 2027-28 and 2028-29.

“We are excited to sign Will to his first professional contracts after impressive preseason performances with the First Team,” said Charlotte FC General Manager Zoran Krneta. The MLS SuperDraft continues to prove to be a valuable path for young players and for the Club to identify exciting talents flying under the radar. He has shown tremendous work ethic and tendencies that will translate seamlessly into our squad. We look forward to his first professional season and the depth that they will provide in an exciting 2026 season and their progression in our Pro Player Pathway that has proven to successfully develop SuperDraft selections.”

Cleary, 23, was selected by Charlotte FC in the First Round of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, taken with the 22^nd overall pick out of Stanford University. He served as Stanford’s senior captain in 2025, where he led one of the NCAA’s...