CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Independence bolstered its back line on Tuesday as the club announced the signing of Major League Soccer veteran Abdoulie Mansally for the 2019 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval.

The 30-year-old defender, who made over 150 top-flight appearances with the New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake and Houston Dynamo, joins the Independence after spending the 2018 season with Finnish club FC Inter Turku.

“I’m happy to join the team and I’m excited to help the team achieve its goals,” said Mansally. “I always play to win, I play hard and that’s why I’m here. I’m looking forward to the start of the season and I’m happy to be here.”

During his MLS career, Mansally scored eight goals and recorded nine assists over 8,839 minutes played. He brings a winning pedigree to Charlotte, having claimed the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with New England and the 2013 MLS Western Conference championship with Real Salt Lake.

“Those are the moments you pay for and you want to be a part of,” said Mansally. “In New England, we went to the Lamar Hunt Cup final and in Salt Lake, we went to MLS Cup Final. It was a big moment and I enjoyed it. I’m excited to play in the USL and for the Independence and score big goals for the team.”

The Banjul, Gambia native began his professional career with local club Real de Banjul and has featured for his home country as well on the international stage. During the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Mansally and Gambia topped Portugal and New Zealand to reach the knockout stages. Since then, he has made 16 senior team appearances for the Scorpions.

Mansally holds a U.S. green card, which qualifies him as a domestic player as it relates to the USL Championship international roster spots.  

“You want the guys who are coming into the group to add to the mentality and competitive nature of the squad,” said Independence Head Coach Jim McGuinness. “I think Abdoulie absolutely does with his experience and quality. We want to play from the back and Abdoulie will help us do that.”

Mansally becomes the ninth player added to the team’s 2019 roster, joining USL Championship second all-time leading scorer Jorge Herrera and two-time USL Championship MVP finalist Enzo Martinez.