MIAMI (June 10, 2016) – FIU Head Men's Soccer Coach Scott Calabrese has announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the recent spring signing period. The Panthers have inked midfielder Alessandro Campoy (Miami, Florida), defensive midfielder Esteban Calvo (Escazú, San José, Costa Rica), defender Adam Hassan (Davie, Florida) and defender Aron Heiddal (Gardabaer, Iceland).

"We return an excellent group from the fall, they worked extremely hard over the spring to continue to improve," said Calabrese. "I believe that this incoming class has the ability to continue to improve our team and help us to achieve our lofty goals in the 2016 season and beyond. They will bring maturity and a strong mentality to our program."

Campoy, who was born in Port au Prince, Haiti, comes to FIU after playing for Weston FC of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA). He is one of two players in this year's spring signing class to have played with Weston FC, along with Hassan. Compoy played for the Haitian U17 and U20-National Teams, and represented Haiti in the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup in Jamaica. He has also played with the U18 USA National team. Campoy attended Immaculate LaSalle High School in Miami.

"Alessandro is a dangerous attacking player," said Calabrese. "He has the versatility to play through the middle as a striker and attacking midfielder or he can play the wings. Alessandro has the drive and will compete. He can score goals and create chances. We are excited to incorporate him into our team next season."

Calvo comes to FIU after playing two seasons at Montverde Academy (MVA) – the two-time defending national champion – as part of MVA's Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy (SIMA) Program. During his two campaigns he helped guide the Eagles to a 49-0 record; a 26-0 slate in 2014-15 and a 23-0 mark in 2015-16, and No. 1 final rankings at the conclusion of both seasons in the USA Today Super 25. As Calvo's scholastic career came to a close, MVA finished the season in the midst of a national record 136-match winning streak dating back to the 2010 campaign. Calvo helped to guide the Eagles to two Montverde Academy Soccer Tournament (MAST) championships, and was tabbed the MAST best defender and 2016 Most Valuable Player. The MAST is widely considered as the premier high school soccer tournament in the country. As one of the top defensive midfielders on the team, Calvo led a defensive corps that allowed just four goals scored and posted 19 shutouts during 2015-16. Offensively, Calvo recorded five goals and eight assists.

"Esteban is able to play as a central midfield player or as a central defender," said Calabrese. "He is another player who brings a great mentality every day to training and into matches. He has the technical ability needed to play in our system yet has the physical tools needed to compete. We are looking forward to his impact in the fall."

Hassan, who went to Western High School in Davie, started in all 23 matches with Weston FC this past season, scoring two goals.  

"Adam is an excellent center back," Calabrese said. "He is an excellent individual defender who also can help us to play out of the back which is critical to our style of play. I believe his strong mentality and serious minded approach will benefit our team."

Heiddal joins the Panthers after playing with Stjarnan FC in the Úrvalsdeild, the top league in Iceland, and was also chosen to participate with the U21 Icelandic National Team in June 2015. In July 2014 Heiddal was loaned to the Icelandic Premier League club Keflavik until end of season, playing in seven games and scoring one goal. He also played in two games in the Icelandic Cup; the semifinal game and the Icelandic Cup Final. Prior to his time with Keflavik, Heiddal was a first team member of Stjarnan, helping to guide the club to the 2014 Icelandic championship title.

Heiddal played for the youth team of Stjarnan FC in 2013. That team became league champions, with Heiddal being a major factor scoring 10 goals. He also capped the Icelandic U17-National Team in 2011 and was a member of the same team which reached UEFA´s U17 soccer championship groups in Slovenia in 2012.

"Aron can play as a central defender or right back," said Calabrese. "He brings a great deal of experience playing at a high level in Iceland. He is technically comfortable with a very good range of passing. Most importantly he is a very solid defender who can cope with the physical nature of college soccer."

FIU (12-7-1) finished the last season with its best record in over 11 years. The Panthers claimed the 2015 C-USA title, earning the team's first NCAA appearance since 2004. Following the team's historic run in the C-USA Tournament, FIU moved into the top 25 in the NSCAA's final regular season poll at No. 16, announced back on Nov. 17. Earlier this season, FIU cracked the top 25, earning a ranking as high as No. 14.

The Panthers finished the year ranked as the conference's top scoring offense with 41 goals, 36 assists for 118 points. FIU ranks No. 14 in the nation in goals, No. 21 in the nation in assists and No. 18 in the nation in total points. Averaging 5.90 points-per-game (No. 10 in the nation), FIU notched two-or-more goals in 13 of the team's 20 matches this season.

Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Twitter (@FIUMensSoccer) and become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUMensSoccer) for all the latest Men's Soccer news. Follow all of FIU's 18 athletic teams on Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics).

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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium.

About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offer more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $8.9 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.