ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - New Mexico United announced on Thursday it had signed goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, pending league and federation approval. The 28-year-old Greek shot-stopper joins the club a week after the transfer of former United goalkeeper Cody Mizell to Major League Soccer’s New York City FC.

Tambakis has spent the past three seasons in the Championship with North Carolina FC where he has made 76 appearances during the regular season. In that span, no goalkeeper in the Championship has recorded more saves than Tambakis’ 225, while he has also recorded 18 clean sheets.

“We're incredibly excited to welcome Alex to our club,” said New Mexico United Head Coach and Technical Director Troy Lesesne. “He has a great presence in goal and with his experience in our league over the last five years he will undoubtedly instill confidence in our defensive unit.”

Tambakis came through the youth academy at historic Greek club Panathinaikos, and he signed professionally with the Greek Super League club in 2011. During his time at the club, it claimed the league title in 2014, while Tambakis also spent time on loan with VVV-Venlo of the Dutch Eredivise. In 2016, Tambakis was signed by Atlanta United FC ahead of its inaugural season in Major League Soccer the following year and loaned to the Championship’s Charleston Battery.

The following year saw another stint with the Battery, and also Tambakis’ MLS debut as he came on as a substitute against Minnesota United FC late in the campaign. In 2018, Tambakis headed to North Carolina FC, where he was a mainstay between the sticks for the past three seasons. Overall, in the Championship’s regular season, Tambakis has recorded 103 appearances and made 318 saves and 26 clean sheets.