Crown Legacy FC signs Aron John to first pro contract: "A young Frank Lampard!"

By Brian Maurer

Photo courtesy of Crown Legacy FC

Crown Legacy FC has signed Charlotte FC Academy prospect Aron John to a pro contract. He will remain with Legacy for the time being. His deal will include a guaranteed future First Team contract. John made a big step forward this year with his play in MLS NEXT Pro which led to the pro deal. The young midfielder is currently tied for third in NEXT Pro with 12 goal contributions (7g/5a).

John’s introduction to the Beautiful Game

John was introduced to soccer at an early age, following his older brother’s lead. “My older brother played at the Y…he’s two years older than me and I would go watch and train when I was three” he recalled. “I started dribbling the ball up and down the sidelines while he was training” John continued. “That was a big factor, seeing him play out there and just me wanting to go out there with him and play.”

His brother still plays for Liberty University, where John had also committed last year. “I was already committed…so my plan was ‘I’m going to college, but I’ll play all the way up until I leave’,” John said about his plan after finishing at the Academy.

Changing from the college route to the pro pathway

John’s performances earned him more and more playing time, especially once his play turned into goals. Once the goalscoring started, people took notice, and in John’s case, the plan changed. “I got to play a lot this year, which was really fun and then I kept scoring. They offered a contract and then I was like ‘crap, what do I do?’” John said. “It’s a really hard decision. There are really good things on this side and then really good things when staying here, so I had to kind of weigh that.”

Patience and prayer were important parts of John’s approach when making his decision between college or the pros. “I prayed a lot about it and I thought that God was calling me to just stay here. So I think that’s where I’m supposed to be,” reflected John.

The long road to earning a spot at the Charlotte FC Academy

Not all MLS academy players grow through the ranks from U14 to U17*. For John, he had to earn his way on while playing with Charlotte Soccer Academy. His first trial with Charlotte FC was at the 2022 Generation Adidas Cup in Frisco, Texas. “That was a real experience” exclaimed John “Kobbie Mainoo actually played in that tournament.” Mainoo just started for England in their Semi-final win at the Euros earlier this week.

John said that at the time he didn’t know what the GA Cup was, how big, and how many international clubs participated in the tournament. His focus was on being a part of Charlotte FC. “I really wanted to go to Charlotte ever since it was a club…it just took a little bit of time for me to get in, which is totally fine…I was just so happy that I got the chance to come into the club and do what I do” John recalled.

One of John’s more difficult moments was when he played for the CSA U15s and they lost in the National Championship game 2-1. “I thought that ‘hey maybe if I won that I would have went to [Charlotte FC]’ but that didn’t end up happening and I had to stay another year” John reflected.

After that loss, John said that moments like that were what pushed him to keep going forward and working hard. In the end that loss paid a dividend as he found a way not only to the academy team but will eventually be a part of the First Team.

John’s preferred position

John said that his preferred position is a box-to-box eight. “I think it suits me best because I like to be in the build-up…and then some freedom to go into the box and create chances and score goals,” John said.

When asked to describe himself as a footballer John responded with “Heart, very hard working, tries to do the right thing every time…consistent, and then passionate, competitive. I hate losing.”

His style of play and preference makes even more sense after learning some of the players he enjoys watching, like Alexis Mac Allister, who he feels his game is most similar to. John also mentioned Mac Allister because Liverpool is his favorite team.

 “I would say my favorite player is Kevin DeBruyne,” said John. He also mentioned Aidan Morris and Darlington Nagbe as two midfielders in MLS that he has been following. 

All these players are good in build-up play and capable of dangerous moments around the box, showing his knack for finding high-level players with a similar style to his own.

The young midfielder left an impact on the Academy staff and coaches

John has been a standout performer his entire time since joining Charlotte FC. He was the club’s first-ever Academy Player of the Year in 2023 and has continued that momentum at the MLS NEXT Pro level.

“When [John] joined the Academy two years ago, his passion, talent, and competitiveness were very evident. He brings those traits every day. When you couple those traits with his professional habits off the field, you have a player with high potential. We are so proud of [John], he’s a wonderful representative of our club and community!” said Charlotte FC Academy Director Bryan Scales.

His U17 Coach Jason Osborne had similar positive remarks about the way John thinks and works at his game “Whilst coaching [John] within the Academy it was clear he was a special player. Arriving late into the box to finish was his specialty and made us compare him to a young Frank Lampard!” stated Osborne. “He was a joy in training with his consistency and mindset to get better. We are all excited to see what’s in store for [John] as he takes the next step in his journey.”

John’s next two games for Crown Legacy will be in the Carolinas as they take on Carolina Core tomorrow in High Point. Legacy then returns home to take on Atlanta United 2 on Sunday, July 21.

*Next year the Academy pathway will change. The highest academy level will be U18 for the 2024/25 season.