Major League Soccer can’t name off this transaction.
USL Championship facet Charlotte Independence introduced Friday that American defender and Hermann Trophy winner Andrew Gutman will join the membership on a mortgage from Scottish side Celtic FC for the 2019 season.
Gutman, 22, has been training with the membership considering that Feb. 8.
The deal puts each of Celtic’s current American signees on loan in the state of North Carolina. Manny Perez is spending this season with North Carolina FC, a club based in Cary.
“I’m excited to sign up for the Independence,” Gutman stated in a statement. “While I’m right here, I need to contribute as a good deal as I can. I want to do everything I can to help the group win. Being an expert brings new dreams and new challenges, so I’m placing the Hermann Trophy behind me and looking to achieve new goals.”
The assertion of this transaction comes about three weeks after MLS vetoed Gutman’s loan to Nashville SC. Nashville agreed to terms with Celtic and introduced the flow; however, less than days later, the membership released an announcement that said “MLS does not aid the transaction,” Nashville opted not to continue with the loan.
Nashville will compete in the USL Championship in 2019. However, it could be an MLS club in 2020. The club has already signed gamers to MLS contracts.
What complex Gutman’s flow to Nashville becomes that he’s a Chicago Fire academy product, and the membership nevertheless holds his MLS rights. An MLS group looking to sign Gutman, or convey him in on the mortgage, might need to collect his powers from the Fire.
Chicago presented Gutman a homegrown agreement, but he grew to become it down. In advance this month, sources instructed Pro Soccer USA that the Fire has been not worried about Gutman’s mortgage to Nashville falling through. A representative from the Fire and Nashville declined to comment. Since Charlotte no longer has an association with MLS, the league doesn’t have jurisdiction to step in on this loan.
Gutman performed in the Fire’s academy from 2012 to 2015 and then embarked on a college career with the Indiana Hoosiers. He started each in shape he performed in at Indiana, became named Big Ten Defender of the yr, and racked up 20 goals and 17 assists. As a senior, he helped the Hoosiers attain the College Cup semifinals.
After Indiana, Gutman went on trial with Celtic’s rival, Glasgow Rangers, but he didn’t signal there and slightly inked a 3-and-a-half-12 months deal with Celtic.
Charlotte’s head educates, Jim McGuinness, worked with Celtic in advance this decade as an assistant coach overall performance consultant.
“It’s truly wonderful to get Andrew,” McGuinness said in an assertion. “He’s the whole thing that we’re seeking out, along with his strength, his dynamic capability, and his attacking mentality. You want guys with a great attitude and a herbal work ethic, and I assume he’s got all the one’s things.”
Gutman has already joined Charlotte and is educated with the club.
“I intend to get back to Celtic,” Gutman stated. “Having Jim right here, he knows the Celtic manner very well. I’m excited to research underneath him, so I’m looking forward to getting the season going.”
The Independence will start their USL Championship regular season on March 15 at domestic versus Indy Eleven.
