Major League Soccer's rapid expansion process continues as the league announced on Tuesday that Charlotte have been awarded an expansion team for 2021.
Charlotte will become the 30th franchise to join the league, with Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper paying a reported record-breaking $325 million (£247m) to become the latest franchise to join MLS. A number of cities had been vying for that highly-coveted spot, with Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Diego, Detroit, Tampa Bay, Indianapolis and Raleigh among those looking to find a place in MLS.
The league confirmed the new franchise at an event on Tuesday that featured Tepper, MLS commissioner Don Garber and Charlotte mayor Viola Lyles.