CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Wednesday the club had signed defender Josh Drack to a multi-year contract ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Drack becomes the 14th member of the Battery’s 2024 roster, with the 24-year-old full back offering versatility in attack and defense to Charleston’s left side as the club aims to defend its Championship’s Eastern Conference title.

“I am beyond excited to join the Battery,” said Drack. “From the city to the fans to the team, I think there's something very special being built here. The team had a very good year in 2023 and I am itching to bring value and make an impact to help the club build on that success this last year.

“My interest in Charleston first came about two years ago, when I first played against them my rookie year [in 2021]. I thought the environment was great and the city was beautiful. Ben Pirmann and the club have shown great belief in me and that was what ultimately drew me to make my decision to take this next step in my career in Charleston.”

Drack previously spent two seasons in the Championship with the LA Galaxy II where he made 52 appearances and recorded five goals, 10 assists and 35 chances created. Defensively, Drack also posted a 52.9 percent duel success rate and 67.6 percent tackle success rate while notching 90 interceptions, 196 recoveries and 89 clearances. This past season he competed for Huntsville City FC in MLS NEXT Pro, where he recorded one goal and three assists in 25 appearances.

“Josh is a high-level, modern-day left fullback,” said Battery Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “He is intense and aggressive and gets up and down the left channel. He also has high-level abilities on offense to break down opponents and help finish off attacks in the final third.

"Josh has had tremendous experiences in MLS clubs throughout his young professional career and that will help increase the standard of play for our club. He is eager to fight and does not back down."

Analysis

Josh Drack arrives in Charleston as the ostensible replacement for the departing Deklan Wynne, but the 24-year-old might prove a younger upgrade given the numbers he’s already produced in the Championship over his career. Drack burst onto the scene with Los Dos in 2021 with nine assists – which put him tied for fifth in the league that season – as he provided plenty of service for Preston Judd up top, but his all-around game has been solid while making 75 professional appearances across his first three campaigns.

With the emphasis Head Coach Ben Pirmann has placed on having aggressive full backs both at the Battery and in previous stop Memphis 901 FC, this would appear to be an ideal fit, and could push Drack further into the spotlight as he enters his prime.