THE FORMER US U-20 INTERNATIONAL JOINS CFC FOR THE 2024 SEASON.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Jan. 17, 2024 — Chattanooga Football Club (CFC) today announced it has signed midfielder Andres Jimenez Aranzazu, pending league and federation approval.
The 23-year-old midfielder moves to Chattanooga after spending a hugely-successful 2023 season in the USL Championship with Las Vegas Lights.
Along with Lucas Stauffer, Aranzazu became the first player in Las Vegas’ history to play in every game during a 34-match regular season.
Aranzazu came up through the Envigado youth system and played for the Colombian top flight side’s first team from 2019 to 2022 before moving to the United States.
"We watched Andres and felt he had the qualities that fit with what we want in a player in his position,” said Head Coach and Sporting Director Rod Underwood. “Also, after speaking with him, we saw his desire to achieve excellence. He exhibited the ability to embrace the culture of CFC.”
Born in Miami, Aranzazu represented the USA U-20 national team in three camps during 2018.
“It feels really great to join such a good team," said Aranzazu. "I'm really looking forward to what we can achieve this season, and I'm so happy to join."
Chattanooga FC will compete in MLS NEXT Pro for the first time beginning in 2024. Fans can **purchase season tickets for the 2024 season at ChattanoogaFC.com.**
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Andres Jimenez Aranzazu
*Pronunciation: Ahn-dres He-men-ez Ah-rahn-zah-zoo
Position: *Central midfield, defensive midfield
Height: 5-10
*Birthdate: March 4, 2000
Birthplace: *Miami, Florida
Citizenship: Colombia and USA
2024 Chattanooga FC roster (as of January 17, 2024)
Goalkeepers (2): Jean Antoine, Jon Burke
_Defenders (6): *Joseph Perez, Anatolie Prepelita, _Jesse Williams, \Milo Garvanian, \Robert Screen, *Duvan Viafara
Midfielders (4): Richard Dixon, Luis Garcia Sosa, Alex McGrath, *Andres Jimenez Aranzazu
Forwards (3): Taylor Gray, Damian Rodriguez, Jesus Ibarra
*Indicates new signing for the 2024 season
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.
