David Najem

David Najem

Personal information
Full name	David Najem
Date of birth	May 26, 1992
Place of birth	Clifton, New Jersey, United States
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s)	Full-back, Defensive midfielder
Youth career
2006–2013	New York Red Bulls
2006–2010	Paramus Catholic High School
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2010–2013	Columbia Lions	64	(10)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013–2015	FC Eintracht Bamberg	37	(2)
2016–2017	New York Red Bulls II	45	(1)
2018–2019	Tampa Bay Rowdies	17	(1)
2020–2021	New Mexico United	25	(0)
International career
2019–	Afghanistan	9	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 8, 2021

David Najem (Dari: داوید نجم; born May 26, 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for USL Championship club New Mexico United and the Afghanistan national team.

Najem grew up in Clifton, New Jersey and attended Paramus Catholic High School, where he set school career records for both goals and points.

Career

Early career

Najem was a member of the New York Red Bulls Academy since the age of 14 and played with the U-23 team during his college career. He attended Paramus Catholic High School, where he captained the team for two seasons and set the school record for career goals scored with 54. In 2010, Najem enrolled at Columbia University, and played four seasons with the men's soccer team. During his senior year in 2013, he was awarded as the Ivy League Offensive player of the year, tallying five goals and six assists.

Eintracht Bamberg

After graduating from Columbia, Najem went on trial with lower division clubs in Germany and eventually signed with FC Eintracht Bamberg from the Regionalliga Bayern league in 2014.

New York Red Bulls II

On May 19, 2016, Najem returned to the United States to sign with New York Red Bulls II. Najem will partner up with manager, John Wolyniec who formerly played for the New York Red Bulls and coached him in the academy. Najem made his official debut for the club coming on as a late match substitute in a 1–0 victory against FC Montreal. After starting in every match during the clubs playoff run, on October 23, 2016, Najem helped the club to a 5–1 victory over Swope Park Rangers in the 2016 USL Cup Final.

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Najem signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdies on January 11, 2018.

New Mexico United

In January 2020, Najem joined New Mexico United.

International

He made his debut for Afghanistan national football team on June 7, 2019 in a friendly against Tajikistan, as a starter.

Personal life

David's brother, Adam, is also a professional footballer.

Career statistics

As of match played November 8, 2021

Club statistics

Club	Season	League			League Cup		Domestic Cup		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
FC Eintracht Bamberg	2013–14	Regionalliga Bayern	13	1	0	0	0	0	13	1
	2014–15		24	1	0	0	0	0	24	1
	Total		37	2	0	0	0	0	37	2
New York Red Bulls II	2016	USL	15	0	4	0	—		19	0
	2017		30	1	3	0	—		34	1
	Total		45	1	7	0	0	0	52	1
Tampa Bay Rowdies	2018	USL	5	0	—		0	0	5	0
	2019	USL Championship	11	1	1	0	2	1	14	2
	Total		16	1	1	0	2	1	19	2
New Mexico United	2020	USL Championship	11	0	2	0	—		13	0
	2021		14	0	—		—		14	0
	Total		25	0	2	0	0	0	27	0
Career total			123	4	10	0	2	1	135	5

International statistics

As of match played June 15, 2021

Caps earned by year

Year	Caps	Goals
2019	2	0
2020	0	0
2021	3	0
Total	5	0

Honors

Club

New York Red Bulls II

• USL Cup: 2016