CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Independence today announced the signing of 19-year-old forward Nelson Pierre on a season-long loan from Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union, pending league and federation approval. The Union Homegrown player represents Haiti at the youth international level and most recently spent time in the Swedish second division.

"We are excited to add another young, talented attacking player in Nelson Pierre," Charlotte Head Coach Mike Jeffries explained. "Having developed in the Philadelphia Union system, Nelson offers pace, power, the ability to take players on, and finishing quality. We appreciate and thank Ernst Tanner and the Union for loaning Nelson to us and trusting us with his continued development."

The Lebanon, Penn. native began his career in the YSC Academy before signing a Homegrown contract on Feb. 21, 2023 with Philadelphia Union. 

Across the 2022 and 2023 MLS NEXT Pro regular season and postseason, Pierre scored nine goals and tallied six assists in 48 appearances for Philadelphia Union II. Pierre was loaned to Skövde AIK in the Swedish Superettan where he has made three appearances in the Svenska Cupen earlier this year.

Pierre made his debut with the Philadelphia Union first team as a 17-year-old in the side's 1-0 international friendly victory against Liga MX side CF Pachuca on Sept. 24, 2022.

Pierre made his international debut with the Haiti youth national team in July, recording a trio of appearances for les Grenadiers in the 2024 Concacaf Men's U-20 Championship.

"I want to show the world why they should take a chance on me," Pierre said. "My biggest goal for the season is to be proud of the work I put out on the field, score goals, and put smiles on our fans' faces."