CARY, N.C. (Dec. 13, 2023) — North Carolina FC has signed veteran midfielder Collin Martin to a two-year contract through the 2025 season, the club announced Wednesday. The signing is pending league and federation approval.
Martin came up through the D.C. United Academy and has experience at the MLS and USL Championship levels over his 11-year professional career. He began his pro career with D.C. United of MLS at the age of 18.
The now-29-year-old spent the last four seasons with San Diego Loyal SC of the USL Championship. In four seasons with San Diego, Martin made 103 appearances, 91 of which were starts, racking up 7,853 minutes, four goals and five assists.
“Collin is brings a wealth of experience and quality to our midfield. On top of his vision and talent, his professionalism, work ethic, and knowledge of the game will be major assets to our team, both on and off the field. We look forward to having him and are pleased a player with his experience is excited to join what we are building here in the Triangle,”said NCFC head coach and sporting director John Bradford.
“I am very excited to be signing with NCFC at a time where the club has just won the USL league one and is now pushing to enjoy success in the USL Championship. I can’t wait to see what this club achieves in the future and to be a part of something special in North Carolina,” Martin said.
In 2023, Martin played 2,410 minutes across 33 games, winning 52.53% of his duels and 63.83% of his tackles. The midfielder also made 29 interceptions, created 30 chances and completed 89.2% of his tackles.
Martin played one collegiate season for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, where he earned 2012 All-ACC Freshmen Team honors, before singing a homegrown contract with D.C. United.
Over three seasons with his hometown club, Martin made 23 appearances across MLS league matches, U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League. During that time, Martin also played on loan for then-USL Championship Richmond Kickers, making 12 appearances.
Martin was traded to Minnesota United ahead of its inaugural MLS season. Across three seasons, Martin made 29 appearances for Minnesota and spent the 2019 season on loan with Hartford Athletic in the USL Championship. He played, and started, in seven matches for Hartford, including a pair against North Carolina FC.
Martin is the fifth new addition to North Carolina FC ahead of the club’s return to the USL Championship in 2024. The team now has 14 players under contract for next season.
ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA FC
North Carolina FC returns to play in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship (USSF Division II) in 2024. North Carolina FC enters its 18th season of competition in 2024, having played in several professional leagues as both North Carolina FC and the Carolina RailHawks. The team won the NASL (USSF Division II) regular season championship in 2011 and 2013 and won the USL League One (USSF Division III) Championship in 2023. Follow North Carolina FC on the web at www.northcarolinafc.com and on social media @NorthCarolinaFC.
