Santiago Castaneda, a midfielder from Florida, has signed a contract with MSV Duisburg, his club team announced on Tuesday.

A standout performer for the ECNL Boys side, Castenada is one of the top recruits from the class of 2023. Duisburg is a 3.Bundesliga team, the third tier of German football.

"Florida Premier FC is very happy to see Santi’s childhood dreams come true at 18," Florida Premier FC CEO Novi Maric said in a statement. "Santi is very fortunate to join an amazing professional organization in MSV Duisburg that believes in giving younger players opportunities to succeed. I believe very soon we will see more and more young American players that will be given professional opportunities in the MLS and Europe. Santi has worked very hard and sacrificed a lot to achieve his dreams and we are all very happy for him and his family.”

It was a big 2022 for Castaneda, who piled up the accomplishments. The Gatorade Florida State Player of the Year for 2021-22, he traveled to Europe with the Capelli Select Squad to Denmark last summer. He earned All-Conference honors from ECNL as well.