COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew 2 today announced that it has acquired midfielder Marco Micaletto on a transfer from South Georgia Tormenta FC of USL League One. The Club also announced the signing of defenders Abdi Mohammed and Justin Malou. All three players are signed to MLS NEXT Pro professional contracts. The contracts are pending league and federation approval in addition to Malou’s ITC and work authorization. Contract terms were not disclosed.
Micaletto, 26, played for Tormenta FC from 2018-2021, making 85 appearances while registering 26 goals and seven assists across USL League One and USL League Two. In addition to helping Tormenta FC win the USL League Two’s Deep South Division championship in 2018, the midfielder was named to USL League One’s All-League First Team (2021) and All-League Second team (2020).
The Italian playmaker leaves Tormenta FC as the club’s all-time leading goal scorer and is third in the club’s list of all-time appearances. Notably, the midfielder holds the honor of assisting the first goal in USL League One history, as he provided the helper in Alex Morrell’s 72nd minute game-winning goal against Greenville Triumph SC in 2019 (March 29).
At the collegiate level, Micaletto played for the University of Akron in 2018, making 24 appearances, recording one goal and providing five assists to help the Zips reach the 2018 NCAA College Cup Final. Before his time with the University of Akron, the midfielder played for Young Harris College from 2015-2017, where he made 57 appearances while also recording 21 goals and 12 assists.
A native of Westerville, Ohio, Mohamed returns to Ohio after spending two seasons with Greenville Triumph SC from 2020-2021. During his time with the USL League One side, the defender made 33 appearances and registering three assists, helping Greenville win the 2020 USL League One championships, as well as reach the 2021 USL League One final. At the individual level, Mohamed was named to the 2020 USL League One All-League Second Team.
The 25-year-old was drafted by New York City FC in the Second Round of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, signing with NYCFC before spending the 2019 season on loan to USL Championship club Memphis 901 FC. During his time in Memphis, he made 21 appearances while providing one assist.
Collegiately, the defender played for the University of Akron in 2018, providing one goal and five assists while helping the Zips reach the 2018 NCAA College Cup Final. Prior to his time in Akron, Mohamed attended The Ohio State University from 2016-2017. During his time with the Buckeyes, he made 58 appearances while tallying 11 goals and 11 assists.
At the international level, Mohamed has earned one cap with the Somalia National Team, starting in a World Cup Qualifier victory against Zimbabwe in 2019 (September 5).
Malou, 23, played for Clemson University from 2017-2021, making 81 appearances. The defender helped Clemson win the 2021 NCAA College Cup and the 2020 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament. At the individual level, the defender was named to the 2021 College Cup All-Tournament Team and to the 2020 ACC All-Tournament Team.
The Senegalese player had previously been selected by the Crew First Team during the 2021 MLS SuperDraft with the 27th overall pick. The defender returned to Clemson University for the entirety of the 2021 season following the SuperDraft.
Columbus Crew 2 is set to be one of 21 clubs participating in Major League Soccer’s recently announced MLS NEXT Pro. As part of the pathway to the Crew’s First Team, Crew 2 will join the new league for the inaugural 2022 season and will play its regular-season matches at Historic Crew Stadium. Ticketing information for Crew 2 matches will be announced in the near future.
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew 2 acquires midfielder Marco Micaletto on a transfer from South Georgia Tormenta FC and signs defenders Abdi Mohammed and Justin Malou on February 25, 2022. All three players are signed to MLS NEXT Pro professional contracts.
