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Nashville SC signs defender Andy Najar, Honduras international and former MLS Rookie of the Year
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- Nashville SC signs defender Andy Najar, Honduras international and former MLS Rookie of the Year
Nashville SC announced the signing of defender Andy Najar on Thursday.
Najar was signed from Olimpia, which plays in Honduras' Liga Nacional. The 31-year-old right back has five goals in 51 appearances for the Honduras national team and has played for D.C. United and Los Angeles FC in MLS as well as Belgian side Anderlecht.
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Najar's contract is a one-year deal with an option for 2026.
"Andy is an exciting player who has the ability to contribute on both sides of the ball as he gets up and down the right flank," Nashville SC general manager Mike Jacobs said in a news release. "His standout experiences domestically in MLS, in CONCACAF, and in Europe make him a welcome addition to our group."
Oct 4, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; D.C. United midfielder Andy Najar (14) kicks the ball against the Austin FC during the game at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
After immigrating from Honduras to the United States with his family as a teenager, Najar joined D.C. United's youth academy in 2008 and made his debut for the first team two years later, scoring five goals in 26 games and winning the MLS Rookie of the Year award. He totaled 10 goals and 11 assists in 87 games from 2010-12.
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In 2013, Najar moved to Anderlecht for a $3 million transfer fee. He spent the next seven seasons with the Belgian powerhouse, playing in 164 games and scoring 14 goals, including a goal in the 2014 UEFA Champions League against Arsenal .
Najar came back to MLS in 2020 to sign with LAFC and played eight matches for them that season. In 2021, he returned to D.C., for which he played 70 games (starting 55) with one goal and five assists.
This season, Najar has one goal and one assist in 21 appearances for Olimpia.
MORE: Nashville SC promotes Ian Ayre to vice chairman, Lindsey Paola as chief business officer
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Najar was part of Honduras' roster at the 2014 World Cup, appearing in two of the Catrachos' three matches in Brazil. He also represented his country at the 2012 Olympics in London, helping Honduras reach the quarterfinals.
In Nashville , Najar joins countryman Bryan Acosta , a veteran midfielder who signed a one-year deal earlier this month.
Nashville needed an experienced option at right back after trading United States international Shaq Moore to FC Dallas in December. It appears they found that in Najar, though Julian Gaines should also see an important role after flashing potential as a 21-year-old late last season.
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC signs Andy Najar, the 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year
