Charlotte FC have their new Designated Player. The club signed forward Allan Saint-Maximin, most recently of French Ligue 1 side RC Lens, to a contract that runs through the 2028-29 season. He steps into the DP slot vacated by Wilfried Zaha, who left Charlotte in May when his loan from Galatasaray ended.
What he brings
GM Zoran Krneta called Saint-Maximin “an elite attacking talent” with a track record at the highest levels, including the Premier League, and framed the move as landing a proven creator in his prime to sharpen Charlotte’s attack. The winger’s game is built on speed and dribbling flair off the wing.
Global pedigree
Saint-Maximin brings a well-traveled résumé. Across 384 professional matches, he’s recorded 50 goals and 60 assists for clubs including boyhood side Saint-Étienne, Newcastle United, Nice, Hannover 96 and Liga MX’s Club América. The 29-year-old was a fan favorite on Tyneside and helped Newcastle reach the 2023-24 Champions League. A former French youth international, he won this year’s Coupe de France with Lens.
Back in action
The timing lines up with Charlotte’s return from the 2026 World Cup break. The club hosts Atlanta United on July 22 at 8:15 p.m. ET on Apple TV, FS1 and FOX Deportes. Charlotte sits sixth in the Eastern Conference at 21 points (6-6-3) and is chasing a third straight Audi MLS Cup Playoffs berth under head coach Dean Smith.
