CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Thursday, August 6, 2026) – Charlotte FC announced today it has named Dries Van Meirhaeghe as the Club’s Head of Player Development and Transition. Van Meirhaeghe will spearhead The Crown’s talent identification across all levels of the organization, focusing on pushing players and coaches through the Club’s development pathway.
“We are incredibly happy to welcome Dries into the Club to further add to our development systems for our players and coaches,” said Charlotte FC Technical Director Tommy Wilson. “He has a proven track record in identifying and developing talent in MLS and abroad. Dries will certainly prove his value to the Club as we look to progress players and coaches through our development systems and unify our style across the First Team, Crown Legacy and the Academy. We look forward to welcoming him to Charlotte and
Together with Wilson, Karl Hooper and other members of the sporting department, Van Meirhaeghe will work in collaboration on creating a management team focused on finding high-potential players and catering to their individual development. These management teams will have representatives from various levels of the Club, including medical, psychology, individual development coaches and others to ensure every player is supported in their journey with CLTFC.
Van Meirhaeghe will also oversee the development of the Club’s coaching staff across all levels, further building on the Charlotte FC's intention to identify talent and promote from within. Recently, the Club has seen the likes of Gary Dicker earn an Assistant Coach role with the First Team after helming Crown Legacy FC for the 2025 season, while his assistant, Kevin Sawchak, earned the role following his promotion. Van Meirhaeghe will be more present on the pitch with coaches in training sessions to mentor and build further uniformity across the organization.
Prior to arriving in the Queen City, the Dutchman served as an Assistant Manager and eventual Interim Head Coach for Belgian side RWDM Brussels, which he joined in June 2025. He was the primary support for First Team training session, match preparation and player development and implemented Individual Development Plans for all players. Van Meirhaeghe also has experience developing talent within MLS, overseeing First Team individual development with Real Salt Lake from July 2024-June 2025, including the likes of USMNT midfielder Diego Luna, forward Zavier Gozo and midfielder Emeka Eneli. Before his experience in MLS, he served in a variety of roles for clubs across Belgium, Denmark and Italy where he got his start in player development and coaching.
Van Meirhaeghe holds his UEFA A License and is fluent in Dutch, French, English, Danish, German and Spanish.
Along with the hiring of the Belgian, Charlotte FC’s Academy will see minor tweaks to its structure. The Academy will no longer have a formal Head of Academy position, and all responsibilities will be spread over existing Academy staff, as well as the newly formed high potential management team. This change will further collaboration between Academy teams and the rest of the organization as Charlotte FC continues to align its style and development across all of its levels.
Further off the pitch changes include improved education programs and additional teachers which allow teams to gain more training sessions and access with their players.
