CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Independence on Friday announced the signing of Senegalese midfielder Bachir Ndiaye for the 2023 season, pending league and federation approval. Ndiaye was drafted with the 47th overall selection in the second round by Major League Soccer side Inter Miami CF in the MLS SuperDraft 2023 following a successful collegiate career at the University of North Carolina Wilmington where he earned All-Colonial Athletic Association and United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic First Team honors. 

“We are delighted to be the first stop on Bachir’s professional career,” Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries said. “Bachir is a physical central midfielder – a very capable ball-winner with clever passing ideas and the ability to break down defenses on the dribble. He impressed us during his trial and continues to show why we believe he has a ceiling every day at training.”

Ndiaye joined UNCW as a sophomore in 2020. In three seasons he accumulated 2,434 minutes across 36 games played. In 2022 - his senior season - Ndiaye was named to the CAA Men's Soccer Championship All-Tournament team.  

Prior to transferring to UNCW, Ndiaye played one season at NJCAA Louisburg College in Louisburg, N.C. where he scored six goals and had three assists with the Hurricanes. 

Ndiaye played high school soccer at Northside High School in Roanoke County, Va. and earned a 3A All-State distinction. He was born in Dakar, Senegal and moved with his family to Jacksonville, N.C. in 2016. 

“I am very excited to start my professional career with the Charlotte Independence,” Ndiaye said. “It’s such a great club with an amazing background. I can’t wait to get started in blue.”