THE DEFENDER WAS NAMED IN THE VENEZUELAN TOP DIVISION'S TEAM OF THE WEEK TWICE IN 2023.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Jan. 14, 2024 — Chattanooga Football Club (CFC) today announced it has signed Duvan Viafara to a one-year deal with a club option for a year extension, pending league and federation approval.
The 25-year-old center-back from Colombia made his professional debut with Fortaleza CEIF before completing a move to Cortulua in the Colombian second division in 2018.
He played for Cortulua up until 2021 when he signed a one year loan deal at Once Caldas, one of Colombia’s historic clubs and former continental champions.
Viafara split the 2022 season between Cortulua and Jaguares FC, both top tier clubs, before transferring to Venezuelan first division side Colmenarez for a brief stint. He then spent the remainder of the 2023 season with Venezuelan side Deportivo La Guaira, who qualified for the Copa Sudamericana by finishing in sixth out of 15 clubs.
Viafara made 19 appearances for Colmenarez and La Guaira in 2023, scoring for both clubs, and he was named in the league’s team of the week twice.
"Duvan is a player we have tracked for awhile and he gives top level professional experience," said Head Coach and Sporting Director Rod Underwood. "He makes up stronger and deeper on the backline as we continue to build. He fits with our culture as a quality person and is driven for success."
“I am very happy to sign with Chattanooga and be part of this important project," said Viafara. "I spoke with Rod and watched games online, and it is clear that the club is a very important part of the community, and I want to help this team make history in MLS NEXT Pro.
"I know there is a lot of passion for soccer in the city, and I want to help make 2024 a great year for Chattanooga. The club has big ambitions and so do I; I see it as a good step forward for me."
Chattanooga FC will compete in MLS NEXT Pro beginning in 2024. Fans can purchase season tickets for the 2024 season here.
PLAYER PROFILEÂ
Name:Â Duvan Viafara
Position:Â Center-back
Height:Â 6-1
Birthdate:Â August 20, 1998 (25)
Birthplace:Â Santander de Quilichao, Colombia
Citizenship:Â Colombia
2024 Chattanooga FC roster (as of January 14, 2024)
Goalkeepers (2):Â Jean Antoine, Jon Burke
Defenders (6):Â Joseph Perez, Anatolie Prepelita, \Jesse Williams, \Milo Garvanian, \Robert Screen, \Duvan Viafara
Midfielders (4):Â Richard Dixon, Luis Garcia Sosa, Jesus Ibarra, Alex McGrath
Forwards (2):Â Taylor Gray, Damian Rodriguez
*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.
