Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and San Diego Loyal SC announced on Wednesday a trade that saw midfielder Haji Abdikadir join the Switchbacks and SD Loyal acquire forward Thomas Amang. Per club policy, the details of the trade will not been made public. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Amang joins SD Loyal having recorded three goals and one assist in 13 appearances and 804 minutes of action for the Switchbacks during the 2021 USL Championship season. The 24-year-old Cameroonian had previously played in Spain for Gimnàstic before making the move to Colorado Springs midway through the past season.

“We are very excited to add Thomas to our team,” said SD Loyal EVP of Soccer Operations and Manager Landon Donovan. “He is a proven goalscorer with lots of experience and can play in multiple attacking positions. He is a great addition to our club.” 

Abdikadir joined SD Loyal halfway through the 2021 season and made six appearances, logging 239 minutes of action. The 23-year-old produced an 84.2 percent passing accuracy rate on 114 passes while recording four interceptions and 13 recoveries defensively.

“Haji is an exciting young prospect who will provide more depth for us in the center of midfield,” said Switchbacks Head Coach Brendan Burke. I think he suits our style of play and my hope is that he can fight for minutes right off the bat.”

Before his time in San Diego, Abdikadir competed at the University of Louisville, where he notched a goal and three assists in his final season with the team. He collected a number of accolades in high school, including 2016-2017 All-USA Player of the Year honors and Gatorade Kentucky player of the year.

“I've been happy from the moment I found out I was going to join the team for the 2022 season,” said Abdikadir. “I'm here to learn and have to prove that I'm ready. I will give everything and try to enjoy my futbol.”