Andy Najar facts for kids
Najar with Honduras in 2015
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Andy Ariel Najar Rodríguez | ||
| Date of birth | 16 March 1993 | ||
| Place of birth | Choluteca, Honduras | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||
| Playing position | Right-back, right-winger | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Nashville SC | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2008–2010 | D.C. United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2010–2013 | D.C. United | 82 | (10) |
| 2013 | → Anderlecht (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2013–2020 | Anderlecht | 126 | (11) |
| 2020 | Los Angeles FC | 8 | (0) |
| 2021–2023 | D.C. United | 70 | (1) |
| 2024 | Olimpia | 35 | (2) |
| 2025– | Nashville SC | 0 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2012 | Honduras U23 | 7 | (0) |
| 2011– | Honduras | 51 | (5) |
† Appearances (Goals). |
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Andy Ariel Najar Rodríguez (born March 16, 1993) is a professional football player from Honduras. He plays as a right-back for the MLS club Nashville SC. He also plays for the Honduras national team.
Contents
Andy Najar's Early Life
Andy Najar moved from Honduras to the United States with his family when he was 13 years old. They settled in the Washington area.
He went to Thomas A. Edison High School in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2008, he joined the youth academy of D.C. United, a professional soccer team. While in the academy, Andy won many awards for his great play. He was even named to the USSF Development Academy Starting XI in 2009. He was also the top scorer in the 2009 US Developmental Academy Finals.
Andy Najar's Club Career
Playing for D.C. United
Andy Najar signed his first professional contract with D.C. United on March 22, 2010. He was only 17 years old. This made him the second player to join the first team directly from D.C. United's youth academy.
He played his first professional game on March 27, 2010. He scored his first goal on April 28, 2010, in a US Open Cup game. Andy was named the MLS Rookie of the Year for the 2010 season. This was a big achievement for such a young player.
Many experts thought Andy was one of D.C. United's best players. European clubs also showed interest in him. In December 2010, Andy signed a new, longer contract with D.C. United. He was the only player from D.C. United's academy to be chosen for the 2012 Olympics.
Moving to Anderlecht
On January 7, 2013, Andy Najar moved to Anderlecht, a top club in Belgium. He first joined them on a one-month loan. Later, on January 30, 2013, Anderlecht bought him fully. The transfer fee was about $3 million.
He played his first game for Anderlecht on August 2, 2013. On October 22, 2014, Andy scored a goal for Anderlecht in a Champions League match against Arsenal. However, Anderlecht lost the game 2-1.
After an injury in the summer of 2019, Andy did not play for Anderlecht for over a year.
Playing for Los Angeles FC
In February 2020, Andy Najar trained with Los Angeles FC (LAFC). On June 17, 2020, he returned to Major League Soccer (MLS) and signed with LAFC. After the 2020 season, LAFC decided not to keep him.
Returning to D.C. United
After leaving LAFC, Andy Najar went back to his old club, D.C. United, for a trial. The team then signed him to a one-year deal. On April 17, 2021, he played his first game back with D.C. United. He scored his first MLS goal since his return on August 8, 2021, in a game against CF Montréal.
Playing for Olimpia
In January 2024, Andy Najar joined Olimpia, a club in the Honduran National League. He signed a one-year contract with them.
Joining Nashville SC
On January 16, 2025, Andy Najar returned to Major League Soccer once again. He joined Nashville SC on a one-year deal.
Andy Najar's International Career
On April 6, 2011, Andy Najar officially announced that he would play for the Honduras national team. He chose to play for his birth country instead of the United States. He played his first game for Honduras on September 3, 2011.
Andy was also called to play for the Honduras U23 national team in the 2012 Olympics.
On July 21, 2013, Andy scored his first goal for Honduras in an international match. This goal helped Honduras win 1-0 against Costa Rica in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. This win sent Honduras to the semi-finals.
Honours
Andy Najar has won several awards and championships during his career:
Anderlecht
- Belgian Pro League:
- 2012–13
- 2013–14
- 2016–17
- Belgian Super Cup:
- 2013
- 2014
Individual Awards
- MLS Rookie of the Year: 2010
- RSC Anderlecht Player of the Season: 2015–16, 2016–17
See also
In Spanish: Andy Najar para niños
