CAROLINA CORE FC SIGNS IBRAHIM COVI
CCFC WELCOMES CENTERBACK, IBRAHIM COVI, TO THE SQUAD AHEAD OF THEIR INAUGURAL 2024 MLS NEXT PRO SEASON
CAROLINA CORE, N.C. – Carolina Core FC, an independent club that will join MLS NEXT Pro in 2024, has signed 23 year old, Ibrahim Covi. The French native will bring a wealth of experience to the CCFC backline for their inaugural season.
“Ibrahim is a quality central defender that has gained a lot of experience playing in Europe, specifically in France and lately in Spain. He possesses a good physical presence and works well with his left and right foot. We are excited and confident that Ibrahim will continue to develop his professional game and on to the next level,” states Roy Lassiter, Head Coach.
Covi began his playing career with Paris FC from their u6 program to their u15 program. Following his youth experience, Covi quickly excelled to Jeunesse D’Aubervilliers’ u17 National team where he played in 23 matches, scoring 6 goals. His success with Jeunesse D’Aubervilliers caught the eye of FC Metz. Covi joined the FC Metz u19s in 2017 and earned promotion to their professional second team after one year. Covi appeared in 23 matches and scored 1 goal for FC Metz’s squad from 2018-2019.
In 2020, Covi set his eyes on AC Ajaccio and played in 3 matches before the season concluded early due to COVID-19. Following the pandemic, Covi settled in with SD Pronferradina’s squad, competing in 43 matches and scoring 1 goal. Covi will bring invaluable knowledge and leadership to CCFC through his international experience.
“Ibrahim comes to us with a solid footballing foundation having come through the Paris FC youth system in France. Besides his physical prowess, he’s tactically sound, intelligent, and he reads the game well. He has the qualities that we are looking for in a center back, so we are excited to watch him grow and develop as a player,” says Eddie Pope, Chief Sporting Officer.
Covi holds a US Passport and will join Carolina Core FC in their inaugural season with MLS NEXT Pro this coming spring. His previous experience and leadership will be instrumental to the success of the club. Carolina Core FC will play their home matches at Truist Point Stadium in downtown High Point, North Carolina.
ABOUT Carolina Core FC
Founded in 2022, Carolina Core FC is an independent professional men’s soccer club that will begin play in MLS NEXT Pro in 2024. The club’s local owners are dedicated to community development through its on-field and off-field activities. Carolina Core FC has diligently worked behind the scenes to build together its experienced executive staff, including High Point Native, Eddie Pope as the Chief Sporting Officer. Eddie is a former U.S. Men’s National Team, MLS legend and USSF Hall of Famer. #CCFC will play its home matches in High Point, N.C. at Truist Point, the $38 million stadium located in the revitalized downtown social district. Supporters can join the club by securing a season seat and ordering Carolina Core FC merchandise at www.carolinacorefc.com.
ABOUT MLS NEXT Pro
Launched in March 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT, the youth academies associated with MLS, through to MLS, the top U.S. domestic league. Twenty-one clubs competed during the inaugural season with Columbus Crew 2 winning the first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Cup in October. MLS NEXT Pro continues to grow the game through innovation and diversity, bringing professional soccer to new communities across the country and creating global opportunities both on and off the field. MLS NEXT Pro then expanded to add seven more MLS-affiliated clubs in 2023: Atlanta United, Austin FC, Charlotte FC, LA Galaxy, Los Angeles Football Club, Nashville Soccer Club (Huntsville City FC) and New York Red Bulls. Additional MLS-affiliated and independent clubs, will join in the years ahead, including Carolina Core FC in 2024. Beginning in 2023, MLS NEXT Pro matches became available to be streamed live on the Apple TV platform as part of the partnership between Apple and Major League Soccer. For more information about MLS NEXT Pro, visit mlsnextpro.com.