KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - One Knoxville SC has announced the signing of midfielder Charlie Machell, pending league and federation approval.

The 29-year-old Newcastle, England native joins One Knoxville SC after captaining Lexington SC in 2023. Across two seasons in the USL League One - one with Lexington and one for FC Tucson - Machell has racked up 3,726 minutes in 54 appearances, bringing more experience to OKSC's midfield. 

After developing in the Newcastle United FC and Darlington FC youth systems, the midfielder moved to the United States to play collegiately at Wingate University (2013-15) and East Tennessee State University (2016).

After college, Machell returned to Europe and began his professional career with Thisted FC in the second-tier Danish 1st Division in 2017. In 2018, Machell moved to Faroe Islands Premier League side 07 Vestur, making nine appearances with the club.

Between 2019 and 2022, Machell took his career to Asia, spending time with Cambodian Premier League sides Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC (2019) and Visakha FC (2021), Singapore Premier League club Hougang United FC (2020), Malaysia Super League side Perak FC (2021) and the Oman Professional League's Al-Ittihad Club (2022).

"Charlie brings a presence in the middle of the field along with versatility and an ability to control the flow of games," Knoxville Head Coach Mark McKeever said. "Charlie has a lot of quality in his deliveries which will help us tremendously from set-pieces." 

"I'm delighted to be joining One Knoxville SC this season," Machell said. "It was a really easy decision for me as I know I am joining a very talented squad that is run by an extremely successful coach in Mark McKeever.

"Tennessee is my second home, so I always hoped at some point in my career I could come back. It will be an amazing feeling to be back surrounded by my in-laws and friends seven years after leaving college here."