CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Independence today announced the return of 2024 USL League One All-League First Team selection and Young Player of the Year runner-up Luis Álvarez.

"Having Luis back with us for another season is extremely important and exciting. His energy, cleverness on the ball and ability to make plays in the final third impacted our team greatly," shared Charlotte Head Coach Mike Jeffries. "I look forward to seeing him continue his development with us and making a further mark in League One. He is a joy to work with - always with a smile, and a tremendous passion for the game."

"I am very happy to return to the team for my third year," said Álvarez. "We are working hard to make this year better than the previous two. I am very happy for the trust that the coach has given me and I hope to do things in the best way."

The 22-year-old midfielder developed collegiately at Instituto España Jesús Milla Selva before joining the youth ranks of top-flight Honduran side Lobos UPNFM. Álvarez made his professional Liga Betcris de Honduras debut in August 2021 and made 18 appearances with UPNFM between 2021 and 2022. On the international stage, Álvarez has previously been called into Honduras youth national team training camp.

Álvarez moved to the United States and signed with the Charlotte Independence in January 2023. Averaging just over 19 minutes per match across 32 appearances with the Jacks in 2023, Álvarez earned a starting spot in the Queen City in 2024 and enjoyed a breakout campaign. Across the USL League One regular season and postseason, the USL Jägermeister Cup Group Stage and Knockouts and U.S. Open Cup play this season, Álvarez recorded nine goals and four assists through 34 appearances.

In addition to his consistent play through both seasons in Charlotte, Álvarez has shown up in the biggest moments for the Independence across his 65 appearances for the club thus far. The Honduran converted both of his penalties in shootouts against Union Omaha and North Carolina FC in the 2023 USL League One Playoffs, leading his side to the 2023 USL League One Final. Last season, Álvarez tallied a goal and an assist against USL Championship side Rhode Island FC in the Third Round of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup and also registered a goal in a 2024 USL Jägermeister Cup Semifinal clash against Forward Madison FC.