ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United announced on Wednesday the return to the club of defender David Najem, who had competed for the side throughout the 2020 Championship season on both the right and left sides of the back line.

“Naj was someone we were keen on keeping after the 2020 season, and I’m happy that we’ve reached an agreement to have him back,” said New Mexico United Head Coach and Technical Director Troy Lesesne. “He’s a highly intelligent player that has a great understanding of our style of play and we look forward to seeing him back in the black and yellow.”

Najem’s 2020 season saw him finish fourth on the team with an 84.8 percent passing accuracy rate, while also recording a 69 percent accuracy rate on long passes, good for second on the team. Najem has previously made seven appearances for the Afghanistan National Team, including five in FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Prior to his time with New Mexico, Najem spent time with fellow Championship clubs the Tampa Bay Rowdies and New York Red Bulls II. He was part of the NYRB Academy from 2010-2016, and was the New Jersey High School Player of the Year.