CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Independence today announced the re-signing of midfielder Miguel Ibarra for the 2024 season, pending league and federation approval.

"Since we moved to League One, Miguel has been the heartbeat of our roster," Charlotte Head Coach Mike Jeffries expressed. "I am excited to welcome him back to the Independence for 2024 and look forward to watching him dictate the tempo of games and make the players around him better through his distribution and knowledge of the game. In addition, Miguel continues to be a great leader and mentor for the younger players on the roster – showing up every day with intensity, desire and professionalism."

2024 will be Ibarra's third year with the Independence. He led the team with seven assists in 2022 and 2023 - this total ranked fifth in the league in 2023. He has a total of five goals across the two years. Ibarra played in all 35 games during the club's run to the 2023 USL League One Final and posted a stellar 91% passing accuracy.

"I'm excited to be back for another season," Ibarra shared. "Last year we came up short of bringing a trophy to Charlotte, so that itself was a little motivation to come back and work towards that same goal. I'm excited to see the fans and coaching staff again and get to work. I know it's going to be a good year, and I'm excited for 2024."

Before joining the Independence, Ibarra played with USL Championship side San Diego Loyal SC in 2021 and scored two goals in 28 appearances. He made 12 appearances with Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders FC during the 2020 season and played in the Concacaf Champions Cup against Honduran side C.D. Olimpia. 

Ibarra began his experience in MLS with Minnesota United FC during the club's inaugural season in 2017. He appeared in 84 games and scored 11 goals over three seasons. Ibarra began his time with MNUFC in 2012 in the North American Soccer League (NASL). In four seasons, he was named to the NASL Best XI (2013, 2014), NASL Player of the Month (2014) and was awarded the Golden Ball (2014) as the league's best player at the conclusion of the season.

He spent time in Mexico with Club Léon in Liga MX from 2015 to 2017 and scored one goal in eight appearances.

Ibarra began his soccer career at Taft College and was named Central Valley Conference MVP. He then transferred to UC Irvine before his junior year. In his senior season, Ibarra earned All-Big West First Team honors and was awarded the Big West Offensive Player of the Year. 

The Lancaster, Calif. native was called up to the United States Men's National Team on three occasions between 2014 and 2015.