Inter Miami CF announced today it has signed Academy product and MLS SuperDraft 2024 second-round pick Leo Afonso to a contract running through the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, with Club options for 2025, 2026 and 2027. The 22-year-old forward bolsters the team’s attacking options after being selected with 32nd overall pick in the MLS Superdraft 2024. Afonso will not occupy an International Roster Slot.
“Leo is a promising attacker that we have known for a long time, and he earned his spot on the First Team through his performances with Inter Miami CF II, and in his two previous MLS appearances with the team while on short-term agreements,” said Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson. “We’re proud of the progress he has made since first joining our Academy in 2019, and we’re excited to sign him to the First Team as the next step in his journey with the Club. We look forward to further fostering his development within our system.”
“I’m excited to officially sign my First Team contract and start an exciting new chapter in my career with this great Club. I’ve dreamed of this moment since I started here in 2019 and got a glimpse of this in our inaugural preseason. I always knew I wanted to come back and now we’re making that dream a reality. I’m ready to give my all for Inter Miami on and off the field,” said Afonso.
The Brazil-born forward has previously featured twice for the Inter Miami First Team this season on short term loan agreements. Afonso made his MLS debut as a second-half substitute in the road game against the New York Red Bulls on March 23, and subsequently registered another appearance as a substitute against New York City FC on March 30.
Afonso is a former Inter Miami CF Academy player, who was part of the Academy from 2019 to 2020. This year, he joined the organization’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, Inter Miami II, after returning to the Club following his collegiate career at University of Virginia. He was selected with the 32nd overall pick in the MLS Superdraft 2024 and went on to make his debut as a professional with Inter Miami II this season. Since making his professional debut, Afonso has managed to tally four goals in two 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season matchups, making his way to the top of the scoring charts in MLS NEXT Pro.
The forward starred for the University of Virginia throughout his collegiate career. In his senior season in 2023, he notched five goals, three of them in postseason matches, and dished out two assists in just 10 appearances for the Virginia Cavaliers despite missing nine matches due to injury. In all, Afonso made 59 appearances during his collegiate career, recording 22 goals and eight assists.
