CHARLOTTE, NC (March 17, 2026) – The Charlotte Independence announced today that striker Christy Manzinga has signed with the club, pending league and federation approval.
Manzinga, 31, most recently played for Bnei Yehuda of the Leumit League in Israel in 2025, recording five goals in 17 appearances.
“Christy is an experienced and proven attacking player, capable of playing as a striker or winger,” said Charlotte Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. “He brings experience from strong international leagues, along with a powerful physical presence and strong technical ability. We expect him to be a force in front of goal, both as a scorer and a creator.”
Prior to his time in Israel, Manzinga built an extensive professional career across South Korea, Hungary, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. His standout campaign came in 2021/22 with Linfield FC, where he scored 20 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions, helping the club secure its third consecutive NIFL Premiership title. That season, he also featured in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.
Manzinga previously made seven appearances in the Scottish Premiership with Motherwell FC during the 2019/20 season.
Born in Paris, France, Manzinga has represented the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the youth international level.
“I’m very happy to join one of the top clubs in USL League One,” said Manzinga. “I’m looking forward to the season ahead and everything we can achieve together.”
ABOUT CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE:
The Charlotte Independence is a Division III professional men’s soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The club, founded in 2014, currently competes in USL League One and plays home games at American Legion Memorial Stadium and Mecklenburg County Sportsplex of Matthews. As part of the Queen City Soccer Club, our mission is to make Charlotte a better place to live through sports. For information on club news, season tickets and more, visit CharlotteIndependence.com.
