Andy Najar

BIOGRAPHY

Andy Najar was born March 16, 1993, in Choluteca, Honduras. He is a defender and midfielder in Major League Soccer.

Najar signed a professional Generation Adidas contract with D.C. United on March 22, 2010. Once part of MLS, the league and his team became responsible for his education. He was the second player to sign with the first team directly from United's Academy, after goalkeeper Bill Hamid who signed with the first team in September 2009. Najar made his professional debut on March 27, 2010, in DC's opening game of the 2010 MLS season against the Kansas City Wizards, and scored his first professional goal on April 28, 2010, in a US Open Cup game against FC Dallas. Najar was voted MLS Rookie of the Year for the 2010 season, ahead of Tim Ream and Danny Mwanga. Najar was considered by pundits such as Soccer America's Paul Gardner to be one of D.C. United top players already, at the young age of 17. He received interest from European clubs, according to his agent, and was expected to move his services there later in his career, possibly as soon as the end of the 2010 season. However, it was announced in December 2010 that Najar had signed a multi-year contract with D.C. United. Najar was the only player from the D.C. United's Academy to be called up to compete in the 2012 Olympics.

On 7 January 2013, Najar moved to Belgian Pro League champions Anderlecht on a one-month loan. On 30 January 2013, Anderlecht finalised the full transfer of Najar. The reported transfer fee was $3 million. 

In February 2020, Najar trained with LAFC during their preseason. On 17 June 2020, Najar returned to Major League Soccer, signing with Los Angeles FC. 

After being released by LAFC, Najar went full circle by trying out with former club D.C. United in the hopes of making it back to first-team competition. After a six-week trial period, the Black-and-Red signed him to a one-year deal with an option for two more years. On 17 April 2021, Najar made his first appearance for United since returning, coming on in the 88th minute in the 2–1 win over New York City FC. Najar scored his first MLS goal since his return on 8 August, in a 2–1 win over CF Montréal.