ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2023) – Orlando City SC has signed 2023 MLS SuperDraft selection Abdi Salim to a first team contract, it was announced today. The defender will join the Lions through 2023, with Club options in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
“Abdi has impressed us so far this preseason and we’re really happy with the work ethic and professionalism that he’s shown us to this point,” said EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi. “We see certain raw qualities within his game that we think fit well with us here and we think he’ll really be able to develop those within our system and take himself to the next level.”
A 2022 College Cup champion at Syracuse University, Salim appeared 22 times with 19 starts as part of a backline that recorded 11 clean sheets en route to the program’s first national title. In three years with the Orange, Salim totaled 30 appearances and one goal scored, having his 2020 campaign cut short due to a knee injury.
Prior to joining the Orange, he spent a year at Buffalo State College, earning SUNYAC Rookie of the Year & Defensive Player of the Year honors while being named to the All-SUNYAC First Team, appearing in 18 matches, netting one goal and tallying two assists.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC has signed defender Abdi Salim through 2023, with Club options in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Abdi Salim
Number: 28
Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Born: April 1, 2001 in Nairobi, Kenya
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Citizenship: USA/Kenya
