LEESBURG, Va. – Loudoun United FC announced on Wednesday the club had signed defender Nelson Martinez for the remainder of the 2023 USL Championship season. Martinez will be available for selection in Loudoun’s contest against San Diego Loyal SC on Wednesday night.

Martinez spent the past two seasons with USL League One’s North Carolina FC. Over the span, the El Salvadorian appeared in 52 matches, recording one goal and one assist. In 2021, Martinez was twice named to the USL League One Team of the Week and earned USL League One’s Goal of the Week in Week 21.

The 22-year-old had previously competed as a USL Academy signing in the 2019 season before signing professional terms with the club for the 2020 campaign.

“Nelson was one of the first Academy players I brought to Loudoun United FC,” said Loudoun United Head Coach Ryan Martin. “After two years in North Carolina, he’s back home. He has tremendous passing range and an aggressive urge for tackles. He has grown mentally in his time away and there’s no doubt he knows our system and the way we want to play.”

The Woodbridge, Va. native recorded 1,285 minutes of action in 17 appearances (16 starts) for United as a USL Academy signing in 2019 and scored his first professional goal during a 2-2 draw against Saint Louis FC on July 6. The 19-year-old also recorded two assists in his debut season and maintained a passing accuracy of 86.6 percent. Defensively, Martinez blocked nine shots while making 25 clearances.

“I am very excited to be playing in front of my friends and family again,” Nelson Martinez said. “I started my professional career here at Loudoun so it feels amazing to be back and I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and get the season going!”

Prior to joining LUFC, Martinez spent four years in the D.C. United Academy. During his time with the academy, the defender made 92 U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) appearances (85 starts) and scored seven goals.