 Najem withPhiladelphia Union in 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Adam Ahmad Najem | ||
| Date of birth | (1995-01-19)19 January 1995 (age 30) | ||
| Place of birth | Clifton, New Jersey, United States | ||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
| 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 U23 | 6 | (0) |
| 2016 | Michigan Bucks | 11 | (1) |
| 2017–2018 | Philadelphia Union | 5 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | →Bethlehem Steel (loan) | 37 | (5) |
| 2019 | Memphis 901 | 29 | (4) |
| 2020 | Wigry Suwałki | 2 | (0) |
| 2020 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 6 | (0) |
| 2021 | FC Edmonton | 16 | (1) |
| 2022 | New York Red Bulls II | 4 | (0) |
| 2022–2024 | Bhayangkara | 45 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 2018–2021 | Afghanistan | 15 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 January 2025 | |||
Adam Ahmad Najem (Persian: آدام نجم; born 19 January 1995) is a professionalfootballer who plays as adefensive midfielder. Born in theUnited States, he played for theAfghanistan national team.
Raised inClifton, New Jersey, Najem played prep soccer atParamus Catholic High School.[1]
Najem played four years ofcollege soccer at theUniversity of Akron between 2013 and 2016, making 89 appearances, scoring 33 goals and tallying 29 assists.[2]
While at college, Najem also appeared forPremier Development League sidesNew York Red Bulls U23 andMichigan Bucks, where he won the 2016 PDL Championship.[3][4]
Najem signed withMajor League Soccer sidePhiladelphia Union on February 8, 2017, after acquiring his rights fromNew York Red Bulls in exchange for a second-round 2018MLS SuperDraft pick.[5] He made his professional debut on April 1, 2017, while on loan with the Union'sUnited Soccer League affiliateBethlehem Steel, playing 90 minutes in a 3–2 loss toRochester Rhinos.[6]
Najem joinedUSL Championship expansion clubMemphis 901 on February 5, 2019.[7]
Najem joined PolishI liga clubWigry Suwałki on January 22, 2020[8]
On August 5, 2020, Najem returned to the United States, joining USL Championship sideTampa Bay Rowdies.[9]
On August 9, 2021, Najem signed withCanadian Premier League sideEdmonton.[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 withNew York Red Bulls II.[12] Najem made his first appearance for New York on May 21, 2022, in a 2–0 loss toIndy Eleven.[13]
In August 2018, Najem received his first international call-up to theAfghanistan national team.[14][15]
Adam's brother,David, is also a professional footballer.[16]