The former Algeria U-18 and U-20 international will don the number 9 jersey for Chattanooga Football Club next season.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Feb. 2, 2024) — Chattanooga Football Club (CFC) today announced it has signed forward Mehdi Ouamri to a one-year deal with a club option for a year extension, pending league and federation approval. Ouamri will join CFC pending receipt of his P1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
The French-born 24-year-old striker most recently played in the Croatian second division for NK Solin. Before his time with Solin, Ouamri spent two seasons with PFC Montana in the second tier of Bulgarian football.
Ouamri also spent time with F91 Dudelange in Luxembourg, where he played in qualification matches for the UEFA Europa League. He spent his academy years with Belgian powerhouse Standard de Liege and Paris FC.
At the international level, Ouamri made appearances for the Algerian U-18 and U-20 national teams.
“Mehdi’s a player we’ve really tracked for a bit,” said Head Coach and Sporting Director Rod Underwood. “We’ve been looking for a striker and for someone who can bring us some goals and add some dimensions to the game in terms of playing in the wide areas, in the midfield and also up front, all within the flow of the game.
“He’s a striker who can play in the box and one that can float wide and take players on. He can come into the midfield, help there and keep the ball. His workrate and pressing are really top level.”
Ouamri expressed his excitement on joining the club for its inaugural season competing in MLS NEXT Pro.
“I am very honored to be able to be part of this great club,” said Ouamri. “I can't wait to meet them and make them vibrate.
“I'm happy to join a community-oriented club because it's a source of motivation and support. I think it's important to give 200% all the time.”
Ouamri will wear the number 9 jersey.
Chattanooga FC will compete in MLS NEXT Pro for the first time beginning in 2024. Fans can explore all ticketing options at ChattanoogaFC.com.
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Mehdi Ouamri
Pronunciation: Med-ee Wahm-ree
Position: Forward
Height: 6-0
Birthdate: August 2, 1999
Birthplace: Ivry-sur-Seine, France
Citizenship: Algeria and France
2024 Chattanooga FC roster (as of February 2, 2024)
Goalkeepers (3): Jean Antoine, Jon Burke, +Michael Barrueta
Defenders (7): Joseph Perez, Anatolie Prepelita, +Jesse Williams, +Milo Garvanian, +Robert Screen, +Duvan Viafara, +Farid Sar-Sar
Midfielders (5): Richard Dixon, Luis Garcia Sosa, Alex McGrath, +Andres Jimenez Aranzazu, +Callum Watson
Forwards (4): Taylor Gray, Damian Rodriguez, Jesus Ibarra, +Mehdi Ouamri
+ Indicates new signing for the 2024 season
For more information about Chattanooga FC, visit ChattanoogaFC.com and follow on X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, or Facebook.
ABOUT CHATTANOOGA FOOTBALL CLUB
Chattanooga Football Club was founded in 2009. The CFC Men's team will compete in MLS NEXT Pro starting in 2024. CFC Women is a summer amateur team that competes in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Chattanooga Football Club became the first soccer club to offer true ownership to the fans in 2019 with 3,200+ investors from Chattanooga, all 50 states, and 31 countries. CFC plays all home games at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.
ABOUT MLS NEXT Pro
Launched in 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT to MLS first teams. MLS NEXT Pro continues to grow the game through innovation and diversity, bringing professional soccer to new communities and creating opportunities both on and off the field. MLS NEXT Pro will celebrate its third season in 2024 with 29 teams, 27 MLS-affiliated and two independent, Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC. Additional MLS-affiliated and independent clubs will join in the years ahead, including Cleveland and Jacksonville Armada FC. The majority of MLS NEXT Pro’s matches are broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV as part of the groundbreaking partnership between Apple and MLS. For more information about MLS NEXT Pro, visit mlsnextpro.com.
