Charlotte FC Offseason Departures: Who Stays, Who Goes?

By: Sebastian Quiroz-Gutierrez

Photo Courtesy of TopBin90

Charlotte FC's 2025 campaign ended the same way it did a year ago — full of promise in the regular season, but short of expectations in the playoffs. Under Dean Smith, now finishing his second season in charge, Charlotte surged late with a nine-game MLS win streak to clinch fourth in the Eastern Conference and home-field advantage in round one of the playoffs.

However once again, postseason goals proved elusive. After scoring just one goal in their 2024 first-round exit to Orlando City, Charlotte managed only one goal across three games against New York City FC in 2025. That brings Smith’s playoff record to two first-round exits and two goals in six postseason matches — a frustrating ceiling for a side that continues to progress during the regular season.

With the offseason underway and roster decisions looming, several key questions surround which familiar faces will return and who could be on the move ahead of 2026.

Confirmed Departure: Adilson Malanda

The only major confirmed exit so far came back in August when center back Adilson Malanda joined Middlesbrough on August 20. His departure opens the door for Andrew Privett to step into a starting role alongside veteran Tim Ream, but depth remains a concern.

As Tom Bogert, a Senior Writer for The Athletic noted on the Soccerwise podcast, “Charlotte will need to sign a serious center back to compete and have cover for Privett and Ream.” Expect center-back reinforcements to be high on the club’s offseason priority list.

Likely Departures and Contract Situations

Beyond Malanda, several other players could be on their way out as Charlotte reshapes their roster.

• Nikola Petkovic – Contract through 2026 (option 2027). The young U22 midfielder never cemented a place in the first team despite opportunities down the stretch. Bogert summed it up bluntly: “That experiment has to be over.” A departure looks highly probable.

• Eryk Williamson – Contract through 2025, no option year. Limited minutes this season make his exit a near-certainty.

• Djibril Diani – Contract through 2025 (option 2026). Showed flashes of quality but inconsistency leaves his future uncertain; could depend on whether the club exercises his option year for 2026.

• Bill Tuiloma – Contract through 2025 (option 2026). Another case where the club’s decision on the option year will dictate his future.

• Liel Abada – Contract through 2026 (option 2027). Began 2025 brightly but faded in the second half, losing form and confidence. His Designated Player slot may be key to Charlotte’s roster flexibility, making him a possible candidate to move if the club opts to reset in attack.

• David Bingham – Contract through 2025, no option year. At 36 and serving as one of the backup goalkeepers, he is expected to depart when his deal expires.

One To Watch

Photo Courtesy of Topbin90

Kerwin Vargas is another player who could see a move abroad in the upcoming transfer window. The Colombian winger was the subject of a late bid this summer that Charlotte FC rejected. Multiple teams are monitoring Vargas’ situation at the club, and according to a source, at least two more clubs could make a bid for the winger this winter.

The Designated Player and U22 Initiative Puzzle

Roster mechanics will shape Charlotte’s offseason as much as individual performances. MLS clubs must choose one of two models next season:

1. Standard DP Model: 3 Designated Players + 3 U22 Initiatives

2. Enhanced U22 Model: 2 Designated Players + 4 U22 Initiatives + up to $2 million in extra General Allocation Money (GAM)

   
   

In 2025, Charlotte operated under the second model with two DPs — Wilfried Zaha and Liel Abada — plus four U22 Initiatives: Kerwin Vargas, Idan Toklomati, Baye Coulibaly, and Nikola Petkovic.

Next year, Pep Biel returns from injury as a Designated Player, joining Zaha and Abada. That temporarily gives Charlotte three DPs while still holding the same four U22 contracts — one too many under MLS rules.

To comply, the club must either:

• move to the 3 DP + 3 U22 structure (likely meaning Petkovic’s exit), or

• stay with 2 DP + 4 U22s and shed one of the Designated Players — possibly Abada, if a suitable offer arises.

  
  

While not the central storyline of this offseason, Charlotte’s core is aging fast. Ashley Westwood (36), Tim Ream (38), Nathan Byrne (33), Kristijan Kahlina (33), and Wilfried Zaha (32) bring experience but also underscore the need for succession planning.

What’s Official, and What’s Next

The only confirmed piece of business this offseason is Brandt Bronico’s contract extension through 2027 (option 2028), announced on November 12. Everything else remains fluid.

With roster decisions due in the coming weeks, the main storylines are clear:

• How will Charlotte balance its DP and U22 slots?

• Who among Petkovic, Abada, Diani, and Tuiloma stays?

• And can Dean Smith finally pair regular-season momentum with postseason breakthroughs?

  
  

Charlotte FC will enter 2026 with one of the most flexible rosters in MLS and perhaps their most pivotal offseason yet.