MLS Major League Soccer

Virginia Forward Stephen Annor Gyamfi and Maryland Forward Kimani Stewart-Baynes Signed to 2024 Generation adidas Contracts

Published on December 19, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


NEW YORK - Major League Soccer today announced that University of Virginia freshman forward Stephen Annor Gyamfi and University of Maryland freshman forward Kimani Stewart-Baynes have signed Generation adidas contracts and will be eligible for MLS SuperDraft 2024 presented by adidas. Additionally, Oregon State University forward Logan Farrington and Lipscomb University forward Tyrese Spicer will enter the SuperDraft as pre-signed seniors.

The full list of 390 eligible players representing 128 different schools can be found HERE and is subject to change, including the Generation adidas class. These talented players are eligible for selection in MLS SuperDraft 2024 presented by adidas, which kicks off today, Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 3 p.m. ET with coverage airing on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.

Throughout the program's history, Generation adidas players have made a significant impact in MLS and on the international stage. Nine players who represented their respective countries in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup were SuperDraft selections, including generation adidas players Miles Robinson (No. 2 overall selection, 2017 SuperDraft), Andre Blake (No. 1, 2014), Dayne St. Clair (No. 7, 2019), Richie Laryea (No. 7, 2016), and Moïse Bombito, who was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in 2023.

U.S. Men's National Team members Sean Johnson (2010), Cristian Roldan (2015), and Walker Zimmerman (2013), as well as Canadian National Team players Tajon Buchanan (2019), Cyle Larin (2015), Laryea, and Dayne St. Clair all also began their professional careers as Generation adidas signings.

Forward Stephen Annor Gyamfi (pronounced uh-nore jem-fee) scored a team-high 10 goals, including a conference-best five game-winning scores, in his first season with the Cavaliers, paving the way for ACC Freshman of the Year and All-ACC first-team honors. Appearing in 19 games for Virginia, Annor Gyamfi helped lead the Cavaliers to the third round of the NCAA tournament while becoming the first Virginia player to reach double-digit goals since former SuperDraft selection and United States Men's National Team striker Daryl Dike scored 10 goals in 2019. Hailing from Accra, Ghana, Annor Gyamfi prepped at Montverde Academy in Florida.

Hailing from Toronto, Kimani Stewart-Baynes made an immediate impact with the Terrapins as a freshman in 2023, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors after scoring three goals and adding seven assists in 14 matches. His 10 combined goals and assists was the most by a Maryland freshman since current Portland Timbers midfielder Eryk Williamson recorded 11 contributions in 2015. Prior to arriving at Maryland, Stewart-Baynes played for Vaughan Soccer Club in Ontario, the same club that produced fellow MLS SuperDraft selections Kamal Miller, Dayne St. Clair, and Alistair Johnston. His brothers Khamal Stewart-Baynes runs track for the University of Miami and N'Keal Harry is a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings. This is the third-straight season Maryland has had a Generation adidas signing, the first college team to accomplish this since Indiana and Syracuse from 2018-20.

The 2023 Pac-12 Player of the Year, Logan Farrington led the conference in goals (15) and tallied seven assists while helping guide Oregon State to their deepest postseason run in program history in 2023, culminating with a semifinals berth against Notre Dame. Farrington's 15 goals in 2023 were tied for the second-most in a single season in school history en route to first-team All-Pac-12 and third-team All-American honors from the United Soccer Coaches. The Racine, Wis., native began his collegiate career at the University of Milwaukee, where he scored 20 goals across three season and earned All-Horizon League first-team accolades in each of his seasons with the Panthers.

A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Tyrese Spicer was a standout forward at Lipscomb University, scoring 29 times and adding 18 assists in his 57-game collegiate career. In 2023, Spicer was named a United Soccer Coaches First-Team All-American after he led the ASUN Conference with 14 goals in 16 appearances, including a remarkable 10-game scoring streak. The attacker also earned MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist honors for his performances this season.

For the first time in league history, the list of players eligible for selection in MLS SuperDraft 2024 presented by adidas may now include collegiate sophomores and juniors, in addition to previously draft-eligible groups including Generation adidas signings.

MLS clubs may draft players through the MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas from a list of eligible players which may include:

Players who are collegiate sophomores and above;

Generation adidas players;

Any former college player who departed college with remaining eligibility since the conclusion of the college season approximately one (1) year prior to the SuperDraft (i.e., since the conclusion of the 2022 college season) in order to compete as a professional in a league domestically; and

Any other players specifically made available by the league (such as pre-signed College seniors or pre-signed internationals). Toronto FC holds the top pick for the second time in club history with the Colorado Rapids (second and fourth), Inter Miami CF (third), and Austin FC (fifth) rounding out the top five. Colorado acquired the No. 4 overall selection in the draft via a trade with the LA Galaxy.

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