The manager of Charlotte FC, Dean Smith, anticipates adding designated players prior to the start of the next campaign.
Smith’s remarks follow the departure of two of the squad’s designated players, Kamil Jozwiak and Karol Swiderski, both of Poland, prior to the 2024 season, leaving Enzo Copetti as the only DP remaining on the books for the Eastern Conference team.
Jozwiak moved permanently to La Liga team Granada, while Swiderski joined Serie A team Hellas Verona on loan for the balance of the 2023–2024 season. In his debut season with Charlotte, Copetti scored seven goals in 29 games, demonstrating promise. Smith is hoping for reinforcements before the new season starts later this month, but he can’t handle it alone up front.
“Before the season officially begins, we will most likely have one, if not two, [designated players] arrive. After preseason practices, Smith addressed the media, saying, “It’s something we’re working on.”
“I told everyone about my thoughts for Kamil before we left for Miami, and now that he’s gone, we wish him well at Granada.” I was kind of okay with Karol hinting that he wanted to return to Europe.”
Swiderski was excited to return to Europe, as that is where his professional career began in Greece, according to the former head of Leicester City and Aston Villa. A player upsetting the culture a coach is trying to establish is the last thing any coach wants, especially a new one.
“I don’t want players at the club who don’t want to be here,” Smith stated. “Players should compete for both the shirt and the title. Right now, we have players that want to be here and a really strong squad spirit. Both that and bringing in fresh talent are crucial.”
At Bank of America Stadium on February 24, Charlotte will kick off its 2024 MLS campaign against rivals from the Eastern Conference, New York City FC.