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| Andy Najar | |
|---|---|
| Name | Andy Najar |
| Fullname | Andy Najar |
| Birth date | 21 March 1993 |
| Birth place | Tegucigalpa, Honduras |
| Height | 1.75 m |
| Position | Winger, right-back |
| Currentclub | D.C. United |
| Youthyears | 2006–2009 |
| Youthclubs | D.C. United Academy |
| Years1 | 2010–2013 |
| Clubs1 | D.C. United |
| Caps1 | 76 |
| Goals1 | 14 |
| Years2 | 2013–2017 |
| Clubs2 | Anderlecht |
| Caps2 | 41 |
| Years3 | 2018–2021 |
| Clubs3 | D.C. United |
| Caps3 | 73 |
| Years4 | 2022– |
| Clubs4 | Los Angeles FC |
| Nationalyears1 | 2009–2013 |
| Nationalteam1 | Honduras U23 |
| Nationalyears2 | 2010–2016 |
| Nationalteam2 | Honduras |
| Nationalcaps2 | 27 |
Andy Najar is a Honduran professional footballer who has played as a winger and full-back for clubs in Major League Soccer, Belgian Pro League, and the Honduras national football team. Rising from the D.C. United Academy to first-team prominence, he won the MLS Rookie of the Year Award and later transferred to R.S.C. Anderlecht. His career has included international tournaments such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the FIFA U-20 World Cup cycle.
Born in Tegucigalpa, Najar emigrated to the United States and settled in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, linking his early development to the D.C. United Academy and local clubs in Maryland and Virginia. He progressed through youth setups alongside prospects scouted by Major League Soccer academies and trained within pathways associated with U.S. Soccer Federation development programs and regional competitions like the U-17 CONCACAF Championship and Dallas Cup. Coaches from D.C. United, scouts from MLS Combine events, and representatives of CONCACAF youth projects noted his technical ability and pace during trials and reserve matches.
Najar signed a professional contract with D.C. United as a Homegrown Player and broke into the senior squad during an era that included teammates from Ben Olsen's coaching tenure and seasons competing at RFK Stadium and later Audi Field. After winning the MLS Rookie of the Year Award he attracted transfer interest culminating in a move to R.S.C. Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League. At Anderlecht he featured under managers who had worked in European football and participated in UEFA Europa League qualifying fixtures and domestic title races against clubs such as Club Brugge KV and K.R.C. Genk. Injuries and selection competition limited some appearances before he returned to D.C. United in a second spell amid roster moves involving Designated Player rules and MLS Transfer Committee processes. He later joined Los Angeles FC as Major League Soccer continued expansion and international recruitment from CONCACAF regions.
Eligible for both Honduras and the United States men's national soccer team, Najar elected to represent Honduras at senior level and debuted during matches linked to FIFA World Cup qualification cycles. He played for Honduras in tournaments including the CONCACAF Gold Cup and in friendlies against teams from South America and CONCACAF rivals. Najar also featured for Honduras at youth levels, participating in Olympic football qualification with the U23 squad and involvement related to the FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifying process. His international tenure intersected with national coaches from the Honduran federation and competitive fixtures against nations such as Mexico national football team, United States men's national soccer team, Costa Rica national football team, and Panama national football team.
Najar developed a playing profile characterized by acceleration, dribbling, and crossing from wide positions, adapting between roles as a right winger and a right full-back. Analysts comparing MLS exports to Belgian Pro League imports noted his transition mirrored other players who moved from Liga MX and Argentine Primera División to Europe. Commentators in sports media and pundits from outlets covering CONCACAF football assessed his tactical versatility, with managers deploying him in systems favoring wing play, counter-attacking, and full-back overlap. Reception by supporters at D.C. United and observers in Brussels balanced praise for his creativity with concerns over injuries and consistency during prolonged campaigns.
Born to Honduran parents in Tegucigalpa, Najar's family background connects to migration patterns between Honduras and the United States. He has been involved in community outreach initiatives tied to clubs, supporting charitable efforts in the Washington, D.C. area and contributing to youth clinics associated with academies and local nonprofit organizations. Off the field, media profiles referenced his bilingual upbringing and engagement with teammates from diverse backgrounds in locker rooms influenced by international recruitment policies.
Club appearances and goals across leagues such as Major League Soccer and the Belgian Pro League reflect his spells at D.C. United and Anderlecht, with totals varying by season according to official competition logs maintained by leagues and federations. Internationally, his caps and goals for the Honduras national football team include qualifiers, tournament matches, and friendlies recorded by FIFA and the FENAFUTH records.
Najar's individual honors include the MLS Rookie of the Year Award and recognition in MLS seasonal awards voting. With Anderlecht he was part of squads contending for the Belgian First Division A title and competing in UEFA Europa League competition, while with D.C. United his contributions coincided with club campaigns in Major League Soccer seasons and domestic cup fixtures. He has also earned caps representing Honduras at CONCACAF regional tournaments and Olympic qualifying competitions.
Category:Honduran footballers Category:Major League Soccer players Category:Belgian Pro League players Category:People from Tegucigalpa