Charlotte FC’s biggest signing yet

They spent around $5 million on Polish striker Karol Świderski from Greek side PAOK.

Why it matters: Świderski is Charlotte’s equivalent of a franchise quarterback. Expect to see him score a lot of goals. The 25-year-old scored 35 goals during his three years with PAOK. 

Details: Świderski is Charlotte’s first designated player.

• Designated players aren’t subject to standard MLS salary cap rules, meaning they could spend as much as owner David Tepper was willing to shell out to sign him. 
• His contract runs through 2025 with a 2026 option.

Between the lines: Fans have been impatient for a marquee signing, and they finally have one. 

Here are four things to know about him:

1. Świderski and Charlotte FC teammate Jan Sobocinski were childhood schoolmates in Poland. 

2. He’s made 14 appearances for the Polish national team, scoring six goals.

3. He’s left footed.

4. He and his wife, Martyna, have a son, Antos, who was born in December 2019. 

• He’ll be able to give Charlotte FC teammate Sergio Ruiz a few tips on balancing football and fatherhood, as Ruiz and his wife Paula are expecting their first child the day of Charlotte FC’s inaugural home match; March 5.

Bottom line: Major League Soccer is brewing in Charlotte. 

What’s next: Charlotte heads to Florida for the next leg of preseason. They’ll return to Charlotte for an open training session before heading to Charleston, SC for the Carolina Challenge Cup. Think of it like Fan Fest for the Panthers or Purple and Teal Day for the Hornets. Details about the session are TBD. Charlotte’s Challenge Cup schedule:

• Feb. 12 vs. Charleston Battery at 7 pm.
• Feb. 15 vs. Columbus Crew at 5 pm.
• Feb. 19 vs. Inter Miami at 8 pm.

1 fun thing: Charlotte’s opener, Feb. 26 at D.C. United, coincides with World Pistachio Day. 

Go deeper: Exclusive: 11 things to know about Charlotte FC’s first head coach