32-year-old with a decade of Premier League experience joins CLTFC on a free transfer
CHARLOTTE, NC (Saturday, January 7, 2023) – Charlotte FC today announced the Club has signed midfielder Ashley Westwood to a contract until 2024 with a Club option for 2025. The move is pending receipt of a P-1 visa and ITC.
The 32-year-old midfielder will occupy an international roster slot on the Club’s 2023 roster.
Westwood has made 286 career Premier League appearances over 10 total seasons with stints at Burnley FC and Aston Villa, scoring 12 goals and adding 32 assists. In the 2018-19 season, during which he made five Europa League appearances, he was named Burnley’s Player of the Year by both his teammates and supporters.
Since that season, the veteran Englishman was pivotal for Burnley in the Premier League, eclipsing 30 appearances and two goals in each of the next two seasons. He made 27 appearances in 2021-22 before his season was cut short by injury.
“Ashley is a versatile, hard-working midfielder who comes to Charlotte after a successful ten-year career in the Premier League, where he has been a pivotal player for both of his clubs,” said Sporting Director Zoran Krneta. “His experience at the highest level will provide valuable leadership in our locker room, and his ability as a set piece specialist will add quality in a key phase of the game. Acquiring a former Premier League player of his quality on a free transfer is a big achievement and demonstrates that players believe in what we are building at Charlotte FC and see the Carolinas as an attractive destination.”
Westwood began his career at Crewe Alexandra of League Two, breaking into the first team as a 19-year-old with a 6-goal, 36-appearance campaign. He went on to make 123 total appearances in League Two for Crewe Alexandra.
After helping them earn promotion in 2012-13 to League One via the playoffs, Westwood caught the eye of Aston Villa, who brought him to the Premier League when he was 22. He established himself as a key piece immediately, making 30 appearances and contributing seven assists in his first year for the club.
He continued as a stalwart in the Premier League for four years with Aston Villa before they were relegated to the Championship. After less than a year and 23 appearances in the English second division, Burnley acquired the Englishman and he returned to England’s top division.
Related Article: Ashley Westwood: Setting Tempo in the Midfield | Mind the Pitch
Transaction: Charlotte FC sign midfielder Ashley Westwood to a contract until 2024 with a Club option for 2025
Name: Ashley Westwood
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 160 lbs
Date of Birth: April 1, 1990
Age: 32
Birthplace: Nantwich, England
Last Club: Burnley FC
How Acquired: Signed on a free transfer from Burnley
