Clemson University junior won 2021 NCAA College Cup; CLTFC trades up to $450K General Allocation Money (GAM) to St. Louis in exchange for #1 overall pick
CHARLOTTE, NC (Wednesday, December 21, 2022) – Charlotte FC today drafted Hamady Diop number one overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas.
In exchange for the number one pick from St. Louis CITY SC, the Club traded $200K in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM), $200K in 2024 GAM, and an additional $50K GAM if certain incentives are met. St. Louis also receives Charlotte FC’s 2023 20th overall pick.
The Clemson University defender won the 2021 NCAA College Cup, clinching Clemson’s third national title alongside current CLTFC goalkeeper George Marks. Diop anchored a Tigers backline that pitched nine shutouts across his 20 starts, while also contributing three goals and three assists.
Prior to the draft, Diop was one of 11 elite collegiate underclassmen signed to a Generation adidas contract. Per MLS rules, these contracts are not charged against a team’s annual salary budget.
The versatile defender was named to the second-team All-ACC team in both his sophomore (2021) and junior (2022) seasons. He was named to the ACC All-Freshman team in 2020.
The Senegalese defender attended Montverde Academy prior to Clemson, playing for the same prep school as current CLTFC forward Andre Shinyashiki.
The 20-year-old will occupy an international roster slot on the Club’s 2023 roster.
The most recent number one overall pick to be traded was Jack Harrison in 2016, who was dealt from the Chicago Fire to New York City FC after being selected. The last team to acquire the number one overall pick before the player was selected was the Philadelphia Union, who selected Andre Blake in 2014.
D.C. United were the last club to pick number one overall in consecutive drafts, selecting Alecko Eskandarian in 2003 and Freddy Adu via trade in 2004.
Transaction: Charlotte FC draft Hamady Diop first overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas after trading up to $450K GAM to St. Louis CITY SC in exchange for the number one overall selection
Name: Hamady Diop
Position: Defender
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 186
Age: 20
Hometown: Dakar, Senegal
Last Club: Clemson University
How Acquired: Drafted first overall in 2023 MLS SuperDraft
