MIAMI – FIU men's soccer standout Michael Appiah was selected by Inter Miami CF as the 82nd overall pick in the third round of the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft on Friday afternoon.
 
Appiah becomes the 14th player in FIU men's soccer history to be chosen in the MLS SuperDraft, joining an elite group of Panthers. The program's last selection was Stephen Afrifa, who was picked eighth overall by Sporting Kansas City in the 2022 draft.

"It is truly a dream come true for someone like me, coming from a small village in Ghana, to have the opportunity to play for Inter Miami," Appiah said. "The journey has been shaped by years of hard work, sacrifice, and the unwavering support of my family, coaches, and the community, all of which have played a vital role in helping me reach this significant milestone."

The senior forward had an impressive 2024 season, appearing in all 18 matches and starting 11 for the Panthers. Donning the Blue & Gold, Appiah tallied four goals—second-most on the team—and accumulated eight total points.

"We are so proud and excited for Mikey. He has a lot of tools to offer at the next level. Inter Miami are a fantastic organization and they are getting a fantastic person & player," said head coach Kyle Russell.
 
A native of Sekondi Takoradi, Ghana, Appiah netted his first goal as a Panther on Aug. 29 in an away match against No. 17 North Carolina. He later played a pivotal role in FIU's postseason success, scoring in the Panthers' 3-1 victory over top-seeded Memphis in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) semifinals on Nov. 14.
 
Earlier this season, Appiah scored just 16 seconds into FIU's match against Central Arkansas, marking the fastest goal recorded in NCAA soccer this season.

BAPTIST HEALTH
Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUMSoccer), Twitter (@FIUMensSoccer), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUMensSoccer) for all the latest Men's Soccer news