Enzo Copetti, of Argentine side Racing Club de Avellaneda, is set to join Charlotte FC. Copetti has been one of Racing’s stand-out players, as they narrowly missed out on winning the Copa de la Liga and the Liga Profesional last season.
Tom Bogert tweeted the news saying, “Sources: Charlotte FC have reached a verbal agreement with Racing Club for forward Enzo Copetti. Fee around $6m. Not done yet, needs medical + final details but very advanced.”
If the deal is completed, it will be another example of South American talent heading to MLS. It could be a stepping stone to Europe that many have taken recently, with Miguel Almiron the epitome of this route, going from Atlanta United to now performing very well for Newcastle United.
Despite his form, last season with Racing was a frustrating one for Copetti. His side, under former Argentina international Fernando Gago, went unbeaten during the Copa de la Liga group stage only to lose in the playoff semi-finals to Boca Juniors.
Charlotte FC are close to completing the signing of Enzo Copetti from Racing Club
Boca again pipped them at the post in the Liga Profesional, where they claimed the title on the final day of the season. Racing had a chance to win the league with a penalty in added time in their last game against River Plate, but Jonathan Galvan’s spot kick was saved by Franco Armani, which handed the title to River’s arch-rivals Boca.
Questions were asked as to why Copetti had not taken the penalty, with many fans heavily criticising him and going as far as to erect a banner outside their ground labelling him a ‘coward.’ With this treatment from his own fans, you can understand why Copetti would want to leave the club.
Copetti has played 96 times in total for Racing, scoring 31 goals and creating eight assists. He can operate as a striker or as a winger.
Charlotte was linked with a move for Aaron Ramsey last summer, so they will be pleased to bring in some attacking talent in for next season, albeit not the Welshman (who signed with Nice in Ligue 1).
The Crown finished last season, their first as a club, ninth in the Eastern Conference. The club will be hoping Copetti’s goals will help them finish in the playoffs next season.
Christian Lattanzio’s side has some South American players in the Brazilian pair of Andre Shinyashiki and Vinicius Mello, Guzmán Corujo of Uruguay, Kerwin Vargas of Colombia and Peru’s Yordy Reyna. Both of the club’s designated players are Polish, the international pair of Karol Świderski and Kamil Jóźwiak.
Copetti will be in good company at Charlotte, who also have a great fanbase that will get behind him and are unlikely to put up negative banners outside their ground about him.
He is 26 now, so he still has a bit of time to make a move to a European club. However, this time is running out and must do exceptionally well in his first season or two at Charlotte to get noticed by a top club in Europe.
Copetti is also still yet to play for his national team, but Thiago Almada of Atlanta has proved that you can get into the Argentina squad whilst playing in MLS, as he is currently with them at the World Cup. It is a great opportunity for Copetti at Charlotte and there will be big expectations as to what he can achieve.
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