CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Wednesday the club had added midfielder Diego Rodríguez as a USL Academy signing for the 2025 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Diego is the younger brother of current Battery midfielder Arturo Rodríguez and a product of the FC Dallas Academy. The 18-year-old first joined the Texas club’s system in 2018 with the U-13 team. He rose through the ranks of the academy teams and competed with various age groups until 2024. Rodríguez won the 2024 Dallas Cup with the FC Dallas U-18 ECNL White team.

“I’m looking forward to enjoying every moment with the team and developing as a player with the help of the talented players around me,” said Rodríguez. “Since arriving in Charleston, I’ve been really happy playing here and like how close of a connection there is between the team and the community. I’m also very excited to be able to play with Arturo, since he’s someone who I have looked up to, so this it’s a dream come true and I’m looking forward to fighting for a trophy here in Charleston with him.”

Rodríguez played for Frisco High School, just outside of Dallas, where he was named the District 9-5A Midfielder of the Year in 2023 and Most Valuable Player in 2024. He led the Frisco Raccoons to back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in over a decade.

“Diego has spent time with us for part of two seasons now, and his abilities are really growing,” said Battery Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “He has a great technical skill set for a young player; ball control, tidy dribbling and savvy deception. As he continues to grow physically, he will be able to impact this Club more and more.

“Diego also has an incredible attitude. He works his socks off, can play multiple positions and is tough mentally. He wants to improve, wants to win and is a massive part of this team.”