CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Saturday the club had signed midfielder Laurent Kissiedou to a multi-year contract ahead of the 2026 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Kissiedou returns to the club where he recorded his professional debut in 2017, turning pro out of the Atlanta United Academy. The 27-year-old most recently plied his trade in Europe for FK Pardubice of the Czech First League from 2024 to 2025, with brief loan stints at USL Championship side Detroit City FC in 2024 and Czech club FK Příbram in 2025. He made 26 appearances for Pardubice.

“I’m beyond excited to be back where it all started, Charleston will always have a special place in my heart, and coming home means everything to me,” said Kissiedou. “I’m really looking forward to everything. Ben Pirmann knows me well, both as a player and as a person, and I have a great deal of respect for his vision and leadership. I believe our previous experience together will help us hit the ground running.”

After two seasons at Atlanta United 2 between 2018-19, Kissiedou’s breakout as a professional came during his time at Memphis 901 FC from 2021 to 2023, with his first two seasons in Tennessee coming under current Battery Head Coach Ben Pirmann’s guidance. During his three years at Memphis, Kissiedou recorded 16 goals, 14 assists and 103 chances created in 90 matches across all competitions. He also reunites with former Memphis teammates Chris Allan, Jeremy Kelly and Graham Smith in Charleston.

For his career in the Championship, Kissiedou has amassed 22 goals and 17 assists in 144 appearances across the regular season and playoffs. Most recently, he recorded two goals and one assist in 404 minutes for Detroit City during his loan spell in the 2024 season.

“Laurent is a wonderful player and great person that I have been able to work with in the past, he is hungry and will give his all for his teammates and this club,” said Pirmann. “His energy and bravery are what will get the fans out of their seats. Laurent can play a few positions, but is an incredible on-ball midfielder. Whether he is deep in the build-up positions, scheming in attacking pockets, or arriving from wider areas, Laurent will impact each match.

“Laurent has a unique flair on the ball with the ability to make plays with both feet and when out of possession. He will team up very well with other returning midfielders in this squad to continue to push this team on the field.”