Former Portadown forward Ryan Carmichael has been drafted by Inter Miami, David Beckham’s Major League Soccer side.
Carmichael, 22, left Portadown in 2020 for a scholarship with Hofstra University in New York.
He impressed in college football with 46 goals and 18 assists in 75 matches.
Carmichael now has the opportunity to play alongside the likes of Argentina legend Lionel Messi and ex-Barcelona stars Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
After impressing with Hofstra, Carmichael was put up for the MLS SuperDraft, where MLS teams can select the most promising college players.
He was selected as the 24th first-round draft and was Inter Miami’s second pick.
After coming through the ranks at Loughgall, Carmichael made the switch to Portadown in 2018 and made a big impression at Shamrock Park.
A Northern Ireland youth international, he moved to New York in 2020 and started a path that would take him to Messi’s Inter Miami.
On top of his impressive goal contribution statistics, Carmichael was put forward for Second Team United Soccer Coaches All-America, First Team United Coaches All-Atlantic Region and First Team All-Coastal Athletic Association honours in 2023.
He ended his spell at college as the second ranked all-time goal scorer for Hofstra and he was named 2022 CAA Player of the Year.
He was also an accomplished gaelic footballer and played in two MacRory Cup campaigns with St Patrick’s Academy in Dungannon in 2019 and 2020.