MLS

Charlotte FC close to signing Tim Ream from Premier League side Fulham

The American defender is set to end a long career with Fulham to strengthen the North Carolina franchise.

JUSTIN TALLISAFP

Charlotte FC are close to signing center back Tim Ream for the second half of Major League Soccer 2024.

The U.S. National Team defender is reportedly set to end a lengthy career with Premier League side Fulham to bolster the back line of the franchise from Bank of America Stadium.

As Tom Bogert reports for The Athletic, following TopBin90′s initial report, talks between the North Carolina side and the 36-year-old are well underway. Ream’s performances in England have been important for the Cottagers, but his contract expires in mid-2025 and this season he already shown physical problems that kept him away from the pitch.

Right now, the defender is training with the USMNT ahead of the Copa América 2024, although the way they lined up towards the end of the season, it is expected that Chris Richards and Cameron Carter-Vickers will be the first options for Gregg Berhalter for the tournament between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF: Ream will play the role of backup defender.

Charlotte FC are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference under Dean Smith, a coach who had his managerial training in the Premier League. In the case that Ream lands in North Carolina, the objectives would be clear: make the playoffs. Having only conceded 18 goals so far, Charlotte FC are the fourth best defence in MLS this season.

Looking at how Fulham have performed within England’s top tiers over recent years with Ream in the side, the defender became a key part of the Cottagers’ return to the English top flight on as many as three occasions. He was also voted the best player of the 2017-18 season, a year in which they achieved promotion to the Premier League.

His strong showing in 2022 led Berhalter to start him during the Qatar World Cup, which saw him play 90 minutes in all four USMNT games at the World Cup. Now, however, he is likely to have a secondary role in Copa América, but he would definitely be one of the most important figures in the dressing room due to the advantages he can bring to a young squad away from the pitch.

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