Leesburg, VA. (December 15, 2023) – Loudoun United FC today announced that the club has signed
experienced winger Christiano François to a one-year contract, pending league and federation approval.
François boasts a proven track record in the USL Championship; the Haitian international has logged an impressive 195 appearances across the regular season and playoffs, recording 35 goals and 41 assists in the league. François signed his first professional contract with D.C. United in 2014 before gaining a plethora of experience competing in the USL Championship with Rio Grande Valley FC, El Paso Locomotive, Miami FC, Reno 1868, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, and Rochester Rhinos.
“Christiano [François] is an incredible player, who has had a tremendous career,” said Head Coach Ryan Martin. “He’s a phenomenal reader of the game, who can create goals for himself and others. We are excited for his addition to the team.”
Ahead of the 2023 season, François signed with Rio Grande Valley FC, where he recorded three goals and five assists. The Haitian international joined the 35-35 club on October 11, 2022, becoming the eighth player to have recorded at least 35 goals and 35 assists in the league’s history.
His standout season offensively came in 2021 at Miami FC where he racked up 11 goals and seven assists, showcasing his attacking specialty as a winger. In 2020, François was the focal point in Reno’s attack, scoring six goals and adding seven assists in the regular season.
Prior to Reno, the winger was a member of Ottawa Fury in 2019. In 35 total matches for the Canadian side, François scored nine goals and added another seven assists. The experienced attacker spent time with Eastern Conference’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2018, where he helped the club reach the 2018 USL Championship Playoffs playing in 32 league matches, adding four goals and five assists to his career totals.
In January of 2014, François signed a professional contract with Major League Soccer’s D.C. United. His rookie season was spent on loan with the Richmond Kickers, where he spent ten appearances, scoring one goal and picking up two assists.
After departing D.C. United after the 2014 season, François spent two seasons oversees in Portugal playing in Vila Real and Felgueiras 1932. He would return Stateside in 2017, signing with USL Championship’s Rochester Rhinos. Scoring one goal and recording seven assists in only 12 regular season matches, François helped the Rhinos qualify for the USL Championship Playoffs, reaching the Conference Semifinals.
François made his international debut with the Haiti Men’s National Team on September 7, 2019 in the 78th minute of a 2019 Concacaf Nations League match against Curaçao. He has three appearances at the U-23 ranks and three senior level matches respectively for the Haitian national teams.
In 2010, François attended Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School in New Jersey for two years and would later on play for the University of Maryland’s Terrapins in 2012. In high school, he was named Gatorade New Jersey Boys Soccer Player of the Year as he scored 44 goals and 22 assists as he led St. Benedict’s to a state title and a perfect 24-0 record.
Player: Christiano François
Position: Midfielder
Birthdate: 7/17/1993
Age: 30
Birthplace: Cabaret, Haiti
Height: 5’7”
Status: International
