Transfer Tracker

Charlotte FC sign defenders Anton Walkes, Joseph Mora to new contracts

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Extensions

Charlotte FC have signed defenders Anton Walkes and Joseph Mora to new contracts, the expansion club announced Thursday.

Walkes, an Expansion Draft selection from Atlanta United, signs a deal through 2024 with an option for 2025. Mora, an Expansion Draft selection from D.C. United, signs a deal through 2023 with options for 2024 and 2025.

Mora was out of contract following the 2021 season with D.C. United.

ā€œWeā€™re delighted to sign both Anton and Joseph to longer-term contracts ahead of our inaugural season. We have a plan in place for building this roster for the long-term and extending the deals of the two defenders from our Expansion Draft gives us stability in our backline for not just this season, but for the next few years,ā€ sporting director Zoran Krneta said in a release.

ā€œWe knew we could find incredible value in the Expansion Draft, especially in players with significant MLS experience. Anton and Joseph have proven that they are high-level players in this league across a combined seven seasons and 170 MLS appearances, and they will be important contributors on this roster.ā€

Walkes, who mainly plays center back, enters the year with four goals and three assists across 70 regular-season games (64 starts) with Atlanta. The 24-year-old is from England and originally came through Tottenham Hotspurā€™s academy.Ā 

Mora, a 29-year-old Costa Rican left back, had four assists across 97 regular-season games (81 starts) with D.C. United. Heā€™ll count as a domestic player.