Charlotte FC’s Karol Swiderski leaving for top-level team in Italy

Charlotte FC’s leading goal-scorer in both of its MLS seasons is leaving to play in Europe.

Karol Swiderski, 27, will join Hellas Verona — which plays in Serie A, the top level of professional soccer in Italy — the Charlotte team announced Thursday.

In addition, Kamil Jozwiak has moved to Granada FC in Spain’s La Liga.

Swiderski is headed to Italy on a loan-to-buy deal, in which the Italian club would borrow the player through June 30 and then decide whether or not to buy him from Charlotte FC. The Queen City team would not receive any compensation for Swiderski’s loss in the meantime.

However, Swiderski’s departure would give Charlotte a designated player roster spot, which can be used for a player from any professional team. Swiderski was one of Charlotte FC’s three designated players, along with Jozwiak and Enzo Copetti.

Jozwiak’s departure is permanent, and Charlotte FC will gain another designated player opening in his place.

“Karol has always given his best on the pitch for us, and he was clear with his intention to pursue this opportunity,” Charlotte FC general manager Zoran Krneta said, apparently confirming reports that Swiderski had expressed a desire to return to Europe.

Swiderski played on professional teams in his native Poland and in Greece from 2016-19.

“This opportunity is in Charlotte FC’s best interest, as we reconfigure our roster under a new head coach,” Krneta said. “We now have key roster-building mechanisms available to us that we can use to bolster our squad throughout the remainder of this window and during the summer transfer window.”

Krneta also said Jozwiak’s departure will help both the player and Charlotte FC.

“Kamil will havce a great opportunity in La Liga, and we are happy to have facilitated a move with his representatives to make all parties satisfied,” Krneta said.

Thursday was the final day this season for European club teams to sign or trade for players.

But MLS teams have until April 23 to add players.

Losing Swiderski and Jozwiak leaves a big hole in the Charlotte FC attack. They accounted for nearly one-third of the team’s goal total in 2023.

The Queen City team will not have much time to make adjustments — whether with new players or using players currently in the system. Charlotte FC currently is training in California, playing a series of preseason matches. The Queen City club’s regular-season MLS opener is Feb. 24, at home against New York City FC.

Swiderski was signed by the Charlotte team in January 2022 for the equivalent of $5.4 million. In Charlotte FC’s inaugural season in 2022, he led the team with 10 goals and six assists. He totaled 12 goals and four assists in 2023.

Swiderski, from Rawicz, Poland, is a left-footed striker who played for professional teams in Poland before joining PAOK FC in Greece from 2019-21. He was named to the Polish National Team in 2022 and scored his first international goal last summer with the team.

Hellas Verona, based in the northern Italian city of Verona, is a 121-year-old franchise. The team sits 16th of 20 clubs in Serie A. However, Verona is tied with the 17th and 18th place teams in the 20-team division and battling to avoid relegation.

According to the deal, Hellas Verona will decide after June 30 whether it wants to keep Swiderski. If not, he will return to Charlotte FC, and the Charlotte team would have the option to deal him to another club.

Jozwiak had two goals and seven assists last season and was the second on the team in tackles, with 25.

Granada FC is 19th of 20 teams in Spain’s top division. Granada is in danger of relegation, sitting six points below the relegation level.