Athletico has completed the signing of Colombian forward Kerwin Vargas from Charlotte FC. The transfer for the 24-year-old is valued at around $8 million, including fixed payments and variables, with the player set to receive a contract until 2030. Other Brazilian clubs, including Grêmio, Corinthians, São Paulo, and Santos, were also interested in Vargas, but the project presented by the Paranaense team prevailed. Vargas joined Charlotte FC in May 2022 and has 2 caps and 2 goals for the Colombia U23 national team. In the 2025/2026 Major League Soccer season, he made 15 appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists. His current Transfermarkt market value is €3.50m.