The name of Adilson Malanda (Charlotte FC, 23 years old) has recently been associated with ASSE. But who really is this French defender who shines in MLS?
In search of a right-handed center to finish the season, ASSE is moving forward on several avenues. A few days ago, the Peuple-Vert site mentioned two possibilities: one in Ligue 2 and one outside Europe. Concerning Ligue 2, it would be the former ponot Jésah Ayessa (AC Ajaccio, 24 years old) and concerning the more exotic player, the journalist Sébastien Vidal reported that Saint-Etienne – like Leicester City – were on Adilson Malanda (Charlotte FC, 23 years old). Presentation of this Frenchie who shines in MLS.
Keen to continue its race for prospects, Kilmer Sports Ventures is looking at a lot of profiles outside Europe. Adilson Malanda, a 23-year-old Franco-Congolese defender, playing for Charlotte in Major League Soccer, would have turned on the lights of the data cell headed by Jaeson Rosenfeld at ASSE. Unknown to the general public in France, the native of Rouen can boast a fairly atypical career, started at the Nîmes Olympique training center.
From Rodez to MLS
With the Crocos, he notably discovered Ligue 1 during the 2020-21 season, playing 18 minutes in a defeat at Costières against Dijon (1-3). His only minutes in Gard before his free departure for Rodez the following year. In Aveyron, in Ligue 2, Adilson Malanda built an initial reputation as a solid player (35 matches in all competitions) and caught the eye of the Charlotte MLS franchise, who picked him up on August 4 2022 for a transfer estimated at €1M. In just two weeks, he established himself as a starter and no longer left the eleven of the North Carolina franchise. In two and a half seasons in the USA, he played a whopping 79 matches for 1 goal, 2 assists and 10 yellow cards.
A reliable low-salary player
Large (1m94), very athletic, strong in aerial duels and tough in combat, Adilson Malanda is certainly not an aesthetic defender worthy of a William Saliba but he still offers some guarantees of confidence, he who is never injured and rarely suspended. Valued at €3.5 million by the Transfermarkt site and under contract until December 2026 with an option for an additional year, Malanda is considered an executive in the Charlotte workforce where he extended his contract last July.
-Important point: he is not one of the franchise's “designated” players, which means that his salary does not exceed €55,000 gross per month (bonuses included) and his base salary is “only” €28 300€ gross per month. In line with what Kilmer wants to implement in Forez.
It remains to be seen how Adilson Malanda will be able to adapt to Ligue 1. Considered one of the very best defenders in MLS upon his arrival last summer at OGC Nice, Moise Bombito had an interesting start before completely collapse at the end of the year with the sequence of matches.
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