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MAC Hermann Trophy winner Jon Bakero joins Charlotte

By USLLeagueOne.com Staff, 02/04/25, 3:00PM EST

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Former USL Championship, MLS midfielder becomes first Hermann Trophy winner to play in League One


Former USL Championship, MLS midfielder becomes first Hermann Trophy winner to play in League One | Image Credit: Memphis 901 FC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Independence today  announced Spanish attacker Jon Bakero will join the club’s 2025 roster, pending league and federation approval. The seven-year professional veteran and Wake Forest University alumnus has previously spent time in the USL Championship, Bulgaria, Spain and MLS.

Bakero - who won the MAC Hermann Trophy at Wake Forest in 2017 as the nation's top collegiate soccer player - will become the first Hermann Trophy winner to play in USL League One. In Charlotte, Bakero will be coached by Mike Jeffries who won the Hermann Trophy at Duke University in 1983.

Bakero will be the fourth Hermann Trophy winner Mike Jeffries has led as a head coach, joining Andrew Gutman in Charlotte (2019) and Ali Curtis and Chris Gbandi in Dallas (2003). Among former Hermann Trophy winners who went on to become head coaches in outdoor professional soccer, the only other such instance of a winner coaching a winner was Brad Friedel coaching Teal Bunbury at the New England Revolution between 2017-19.

"In Jon, we are signing a quality player and person as well as a proven goalscorer," shared Charlotte Head Coach Mike Jeffries. "Though he last played in Memphis, Jon brings significant international experience to our squad - he is both a very clean technical player and possesses a high soccer IQ which fits well with our style of play. Most importantly, he is clever in the final third and able to make plays in front of goal. Having finished his college career at Wake Forest, we are excited to have him back in North Carolina."

USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC most recently signed Bakero to a short-term contract in July 2024. He also spent time in the Championship with Phoenix Rising FC, Toronto FC II and FC Tulsa. Between the four, he totaled 12 goals and 14 assists in 91 appearances.

"Coming back to North Carolina feels like coming home, and I'm so excited to join the Charlotte Independence," expressed Bakero. "I'm incredibly thankful for this opportunity and looking forward to getting to work with the team and building something special together."

From 2022-24, Bakero had stops at Bulgarian First Professional Football League side PFC Slavia Sofia 1913 before playing with Spanish clubs Pontevedra CF and Lleida CF.

Bakero was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft by Chicago Fire FC, making his professional debut with the club that April. In July, he was traded to Toronto FC which then loaned Bakero to Phoenix Rising FC. After the 2018 season, he signed a permanent contract with the USL Championship side.

Before turning professional, Bakero was one of the most decorated athletes in Wake Forest University men's soccer history. He was the third-ever Demon Deacon to win the MAC Hermann Trophy. Bakero was the fourth player to reach the 100-point mark in his career, also finishing fourth all-time with 37 goals and sixth all-time with 26 assists. Additional accolades include Senior CLASS Award, First Team All-American, ACC Offensive Player of the Year and two National Player of the Week honors.


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