Of all the places for a University of Michigan star athlete to wind up at following their college career, Columbus, Ohio, home of arch-rival Ohio State, seems about as unlikely as any other.

Michigan’s Justin Meram (#9) will play for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer this season after leading Michgan to the national semi-finals and becoming a first-round draft pick. Photo courtesy of MGoBlue.com

But that’s exactly where Wolverines star forward Justin Meram will spend the beginning of his professional soccer career after he was selected 15th overall last month in the MLS Superdraft by the Columbus Crew.

“This is a dream come true,” said Meram after the draft to MGoBlue.com, Michigan’s main athletic site. “I have been looking forward to this day for a very long time, and I want to thank my team back at Michigan because I love them and without them none of this would have been possible for me. I’d also like to thank the Michigan coaching staff for helping me reach this goal.”

The 6-foot-1, 165-pound Shelby Township native was among a trio of Arab Americans (with Dearborn brothers Hamoody and Soony Saad) who led the Wolverines to the semi-finals of the College Cup last year, finishing the regular season with 42 points, 17 goals, and 104 shots, totals which all rank second all-time on UM’s single-season list. He closed his senior season with goals in nine straight games, a school record, and finished third on UM’s all-time points and goals lists with 62 career points and 24 career goals. Meram also scored Michigan’s only goal in a semi-finals loss to eventual national champion Akron.

Michigan head coach Steve Burns has helped turn the Michigan program around and the MLS has taken notice as this is the third straight year UM has had a player drafted by the U.S.’ premier professional soccer league.

Meram’s 17 goals ranked fifth in the nation with the Wolverines, and he finished second on the team behind fellow star Soony Saad, who set the school record with 19 goals and finished second in the nation. Saad is currently weighing his options and deciding whether to pursue a pro career in Europe or to return to Michigan for his sophomore year according to his father Ali Saad.

Columbus plays its first game of the 2011 season at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. against D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. The Crew are currently preparing with preseason matches that included a trip to Arizona for training camp.

Meram spoke with the Crew’s website from Arizona on Feb. 10 and said that he was still adjusting to the speed of the game but excited to begin his professional career with the team.

Burns commented on Meram’s selection after the draft.

“We are absolutely thrilled for Justin to start his Major League Soccer career with the Columbus Crew,” he said. “Justin is a special person and a special player that is very deserving of his selection in the first round.”