CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Wednesday the club had signed forward Diego Gutierrez ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Gutierrez joins the Battery having competed for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer during the past two seasons, along with stints with Timbers 2 in MLS NEXT Pro. Gutierrez made his MLS debut on March 12, 2022, and would make 12 appearances for the Timbers across all 2022-23 competitions, recording one assist. With T2, Gutierrez scored seven goals and added one assist across 21 matches.

“The rich history of the club attracted me, the Battery are known for doing things the right way and it will always be a top destination for players,” said Gutierrez. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the staff and my teammates during the preseason, and the Charleston fans very soon.”

A native of Omaha, Neb., Gutierrez played collegiately at the University of Nebraska Omaha and later Creighton University, shining for both programs. The 25-year-old was a two-time Big East Offensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Big East First Team  selection. In three seasons at UNO, Gutierrez entered the program record books with top-10 ranks across numerous scoring metrics and was a First Team All-Summit League selection in 2018.

“Diego is a very elusive and dynamic attacking player,” said Battery Coach Ben Pirmann. “He can take on players one-on-one and he selflessly looks to set up his teammates for chances. Diego has the drive to showcase his aggression on both offense and defense while helping the team do whatever we can to win.”

Analysis

Diego Gutierrez arrives at the Charleston Battery coming off a campaign in which he recorded five goals at a rate of almost a goal every other game for the Portland Timbers 2 in MLS NEXT Pro while being shuffled into multiple positions across the side’s lineup, including center forward, left winger and right midfielder.

The 25-year-old’s move to the Battery should provide a clearer tactical ideal and position, which in turn could allow Gutierrez to show off the attacking abilities he displayed at the college level and in USL League Two, where in 2021 he recorded seven goals in 10 appearances for Chicago FC United, helping the side advance to the postseason.