BIRMINGHAM, AL (Jan. 9, 2019) – Birmingham Legion FC announced today the signing of defender Marcel Appiah, pending completion of a P1 visa and an International Transfer Certificate (ITC). The 30-year-old veteran brings a decade of professional experience to the roster and spent the past two seasons with VfL Osnabrück in the German third division.

“This is a great addition for Legion FC, on and off the field,” said President and GM Jay Heaps. “Marcel brings vast European experience and a desire to come to Birmingham to help the team win in our inaugural season.”

Appiah has been a consistent starter since the 2007-2008 season, having played over 300 times for TSG Sprockhövel, Arminia Bielefeld, Arminia Bielefeld II, and VfL Osnabrück in Germany and for NEC Nijmegen in the Netherlands. In the 2012-2013 season, Appiah made 31 appearances for Arminia Bielefeld in 3. Liga, and scored three goals with three assists to help the club gain promotion to 2. Bundesliga. Appiah earned himself a transfer to NEC Nijmegen in 2014 and made 27 appearances while helping the club win the Eerste Divisie and, again, gain promotion, this time to the Eredivisie, the top flight in Holland.

Appiah was born to a Ghanaian father and an Italian mother in Schwelm, and his uncle is a former Italian soccer player and current German politician.

Transaction: On January 9, 2019, Legion FC signed defender Marcel Appiah to a multi-year contract, pending completion of a P1 visa and an ITC.

Player Profile:
Name: Marcel Appiah (AHP-ee-uh)
Position: Center-back
Height: 6’ 2 ½”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Birthdate: March 26, 1988 (age: 30)
Birthplace: Schwelm, Germany
Citizenship: Germany
Previous Club:  VfL Osnabrück (German 3. Liga)

Instagram: @marcel.appiah

Career Highlights:
     - Eerste Divisie Champion - 2015

About Birmingham Legion FC
Set to debut as an expansion member of the United Soccer League in 2019, Birmingham Legion FC is the Magic City’s first and only locally owned and operated professional soccer franchise. The club will play home matches at a newly renovated BBVA Compass Field, on the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, beginning in the Spring of 2019. For ticket information and to purchase official Legion FC merchandise, please visit bhmlegion.com. Supporters are encouraged to follow @bhmlegion on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest club news.