Adam Najem (Persian: آدام نجم; born January 19, 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bhayangkara and the Afghanistan national team.
![]() Najem with Philadelphia Union in 2017 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | (1995-01-19) January 19, 1995 (age 27) | ||
Place of birth | Wayne, New Jersey, U.S. | ||
Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Bhayangkara | ||
Number | 10 | ||
Youth career | |||
2006–2013 | New York Red Bulls | ||
2009–2013 | Paramus Catholic High School | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2013–2016 | Akron Zips | 89 | (33) |
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2015 | New York Red Bulls U-23 | 3 | (0) |
2016 | Michigan Bucks | 11 | (1) |
2017–2018 | Philadelphia Union | 5 | (0) |
2017–2018 | → Bethlehem Steel (loan) | 38 | (5) |
2019 | Memphis 901 | 29 | (4) |
2020 | Wigry Suwałki | 2 | (0) |
2020 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 6 | (0) |
2021 | Edmonton | 16 | (1) |
2022 | New York Red Bulls II | 4 | (0) |
2022– | Bhayangkara | 7 | (0) |
National team | |||
2018– | Afghanistan | 15 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13 September 2022 |
Raised in Clifton, New Jersey, Najem played prep soccer at Paramus Catholic High School.[1]
Najem played four years of college soccer at the University of Akron between 2013 and 2016, making 89 appearances, scoring 33 goals and tallying 29 assists.[2]
While at college, Najem also appeared for Premier Development League sides New York Red Bulls U-23 and Michigan Bucks, where he won the 2016 PDL Championship.[3][4]
Najem signed with Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union on February 8, 2017, after acquiring his rights from New York Red Bulls in exchange for a second-round 2018 MLS SuperDraft pick.[5] He made his professional debut on April 1, 2017, while on loan with the Union's United Soccer League affiliate Bethlehem Steel, playing 90 minutes in a 3–2 loss to Rochester Rhinos.[6]
Najem joined USL Championship expansion club Memphis 901 FC on February 5, 2019.[7]
Najem joined Polish I liga club Wigry Suwałki on January 22, 2020[8]
On August 5, 2020, Najem returned to the United States, joining USL Championship side Tampa Bay Rowdies.[9]
On August 9, 2021, Najem signed with Canadian Premier League side FC Edmonton.[10] On February 9, 2022, the club announced that Najem and all but two other players would not be returning for the 2022 season.[11]
On May 19, 2022, Najem signed a 25-day short-term contract with New York Red Bulls II.[12] Najem made his first appearance for New York on May 21, 2022, during a 2-0 loss to Indy Eleven.[13]
In August 2018, Najem received his first international call-up to the Afghanistan national team.[14][15]
Adam's brother, David, is also a professional soccer player who currently plays for New Mexico United.[16]
Mid-American Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Year | |
---|---|
Player of the Year |
|