Andy Najar Bio
Andy Ariel Najar Rodríguez is a Honduran professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Major League Soccer club Nashville SC. Known for his agility, versatility, and attacking instincts from the back, Najar has built a career that bridges North American and European football. After breaking through as a teenager with D.C. United, he went on to spend seven seasons in Belgium with Anderlecht before returning to MLS and eventually landing in Tennessee.
Born in Choluteca, Honduras, Najar relocated to the United States as a young teenager and rose through one of the most respected youth systems in MLS. He won the MLS Rookie of the Year award in his first professional season and has since represented Honduras at senior international level, including the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Early Life and Background
Andy Ariel Najar Rodríguez was born on 16 March 1993 in Choluteca, Honduras. He moved with his family from Honduras to the United States at the age of thirteen, settling in the Washington metropolitan area. The relocation introduced him to a new football culture and provided access to elite youth coaching in the region.
While adapting to life in northern Virginia, Najar attended Thomas A. Edison High School in Alexandria, Virginia. He joined D.C. United’s youth academy in 2008 and quickly established himself as one of the most promising defenders in the setup. During his time with the academy program, Najar received numerous awards and honours for his outstanding play at right-back, including selection to the USSF Development Academy Starting XI in 2009. He was also the leading scorer of the 2009 US Developmental Academy Finals in Los Angeles.
Path to Professional Soccer
Najar’s path to the professional ranks moved quickly once he entered D.C. United’s academy. He became a key contributor in the Development Academy, where his attacking runs, crossing ability, and composure on the ball set him apart from peers. His performances earned him a place in elite youth showcases and drew attention from first-team coaches at the club.
That progression culminated in March 2010, when Najar signed a professional Generation adidas contract with D.C. United on 22 March 2010. Once part of MLS, the league and his team became responsible for his education. He became the second player to graduate directly from D.C. United’s Academy to the first team, following goalkeeper Bill Hamid, who signed in September 2009.
Andy Najar Career
Early Career at D.C. United (2010–2013)
Najar made his professional debut on 27 March 2010, in D.C. United’s opening game of the 2010 MLS season against the Kansas City Wizards. He scored his first professional goal on 28 April 2010 in a US Open Cup game against FC Dallas, signaling a rapid rise inside his rookie campaign. His energetic performances made him one of the most talked-about teenagers in the league.
His impressive showing throughout the 2010 season earned him the MLS Rookie of the Year award, ahead of Tim Ream and Danny Mwanga. Considered by pundits such as Soccer America’s Paul Gardner to be one of D.C. United’s top players at the age of 17, Najar attracted interest from European clubs. After a brief period of uncertainty, he signed a multi-year contract with D.C. United in December 2010 to remain in the nation’s capital.
Move to Anderlecht (2013–2020)
On 7 January 2013, Najar moved to Belgian Pro League champions Anderlecht on a one-month loan, and on 30 January 2013 Anderlecht finalised the full transfer of the player in a reported $3 million deal. He made his debut against Cercle Brugge on 2 August 2013 as a substitute in the 79th minute. The move gave him a platform to test himself in one of Europe’s top domestic leagues and the UEFA Champions League.
One of the defining moments of his time in Belgium came on 22 October 2014, when Najar opened the scoring for Anderlecht in the second half of their Champions League match against Arsenal, though two late goals for the English side resulted in a 2–1 defeat for the Belgian champions. After a summer 2019 injury, Najar did not play for Anderlecht for more than a year, and his long tenure in Brussels eventually came to a close in 2020.
Los Angeles FC (2020)
In February 2020, Najar trained with LAFC during their preseason, working his way back to fitness after his time out in Belgium. On 17 June 2020, he returned to Major League Soccer, signing with Los Angeles FC, who earlier in the year had traded $350,000 in General Allocation Money to Nashville SC in exchange for the first selection spot in the league’s Allocation Ranking. The move gave LAFC another experienced option at right-back.
Following the 2020 season, LAFC declined their contract option on Najar, ending a short but meaningful stop on his MLS journey. Despite limited time with the club, the experience helped him readjust to the demands of the American top flight after seven years abroad.
Return to D.C. United (2021–2023)
After being released by LAFC, Najar returned to former club D.C. United for a six-week trial period. The Black-and-Red signed him to a one-year deal with an option for two more years. On 17 April 2021, he came on in the 88th minute in a 2–1 win over New York City FC, and he scored his first MLS goal since his return on 8 August in a 2–1 win over CF Montréal.
The club exercised Najar’s options, keeping him at the club for two more years. He was instrumental under head coaches Hernán Losada and Wayne Rooney, sometimes playing as a right wingback and sometimes as a center back alongside defenders such as Steve Birnbaum, Donovan Pines, and others. His dribbling and positive carries often opened up scoring opportunities for United, cementing his standing as a long-time fan favorite at both RFK Stadium and Audi Field.
Olimpia (2024)
In January 2024, Najar joined Liga Nacional de Honduras club Olimpia on a one-year deal, returning to his country of birth. The move allowed him to compete for one of the most successful clubs in Honduran football and added another chapter to a well-traveled career.
Nashville SC Era (2025–Present)
On 16 January 2025, Najar returned to Major League Soccer, joining Nashville SC on a one-year deal. The signing brought an experienced right-back into the Tennessee club’s defensive group as they continued to build around their young core. He wears the number 31 shirt for the club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Najar is known for his agility, dribbling, and willingness to carry the ball forward from right-back. He has featured as both a right-back and a right winger across his career, and he has also been asked to play as a right wingback and a center back in recent seasons. His comfort on the ball and ability to beat opponents in tight spaces have long been considered his defining traits, allowing him to create chances for teammates while remaining defensively responsible.
Notable Events and Milestones
Signature moments include his 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year honor, his goal against Arsenal in the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League, and his first international goal for Honduras in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup knockout stage against Costa Rica. He also became only the second player to graduate directly from D.C. United’s Academy to the first team, following goalkeeper Bill Hamid.
Andy Najar Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public details about Andy Najar’s immediate family are limited, with most available information focusing on his parents’ decision to relocate from Honduras to the United States when he was thirteen. That move to the Washington metropolitan area shaped his youth career and gave him access to D.C. United’s academy. Verified information about his parents, spouse, or children has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 campaign marks Najar’s return to Major League Soccer with Nashville SC after a year back in Honduras with Olimpia. Brought in on a one-year deal in January 2025, he has provided experienced cover and competition at right-back as the club balances domestic play and cup competition. His familiarity with MLS, combined with his European experience, has helped stabilize a defensive unit that relies on overlapping runs and wide creativity.
On the international stage, Najar announced in June 2025 that he would retire from the Honduras national team following the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, or potentially after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On 19 November 2025, the day after Honduras failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, Najar retired from the national team following Honduras’ goalless draw against Costa Rica. With club football in Nashville and his international career closed, his focus now turns to extending his role with Nashville SC.
