Charlotte Independence Signs USLC Veteran Jon Bakero
The Spanish attacker joins a side rebuilding its offense for 2025.
Image credit Memphis 901
Charlotte Independence announced the signing of Spanish attacker Jon Bakero today. The 28 year old joins from USL Championship side Memphis 901, where he spent the second half of the 2024 season. That club folded in the off-season, making all players free agents.
Bakero had 11 appearances with seven starts with Memphis, scoring one goal in the final match of the season, just two minutes in.
Prior to his time with Memphis, he played in the Bulgarian first division and the Spanish fourth tier, as well as USL Championship sides Phoenix Rising, FC Tulsa and Toronto FC II, and MLS sides Chicago Fire and Toronto FC. He was a 5th overall draft pick by Chicago in 2018.
He has 12 goals and 14 assists over 90 appearances in the USL Championship, mostly with Phoenix Rising.
Bakero had a highly decorated college career with Wake Forest. There, he earned the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2017, awarded to the nation’s top collegiate player. He becomes the first Hermann Trophy winner to play in USL League One.
Said Head Coach Mike Jeffries via the team’s press release:
“In Jon, we are signing a quality player and person as well as a proven goal scorer. Though he last played in Memphis, Jon brings significant international experience to our squad – he is both a very clean technical player and possesses a high soccer IQ which fits well with our style of play. Most importantly, he is clever in the final third – able to make plays in front of goal. Having finished his college career at Wake Forest, we are excited to have him back in North Carolina.”
How Bakero Fits Into Charlotte’s 2025 Roster
In the off-season, Charlotte saw the loss of multiple offensive-playmakers, including Golden Boot runner up J.C. Obregón, who signed with league expansion side Westchester SC. They also lost Joel Johnson (3 goals, 4 assists) to Westchester and Miguel Ibarra to AV Alta. And while his production and minutes plummeted in 2024, the club also did not re-sign Tresor Mbuyu, who scored 21 goals over the previous three seasons.
Additionally, long time professional veteran Gabriel Obertan remains a question, neither announced as returning nor as departing. The 35 year old struggles to remain healthy through a full season, but still managed four goals and eight assists across league competitions. There’s a possibility we may not have seen the last of him.
Bakero appears to be a good start as a replacement for Obregón, as the team rebuilds the pieces up front. Winger and league Young Player of the Year nominee Luis Álvarez appears set to return at least for the first part of the season after a transfer to a Spanish third-division team fell through.
Notably, Charlotte listed Bakero as a midfielder in its signing announcements. Perhaps he’s set to become an attacking midfielder, while another new player comes in to replace Obregón up front?
Charlotte Independence: Roster So Far
Forwards: Luis Álvarez, Jon Bakero
Midfielders: Omar Ciss, Ryan Djedje, Nathan Gray, Bachir Ndiaye
Defenders: Clay Dimick, Fabrice Ngah, Anton Sorenson, Nick Spielman
Goalkeepers: Matt Levy
Charlotte will open its season hosting the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, March 15th.