ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United announced on Monday it had exercised its contract option to retain midfielder Zico Bailey for the 2025 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Bailey joined United in August, 2023, and has been a crucial piece of the New Mexico United midfield since. This past campaign he ranked sixth on the team with 2,231 minutes of action while averaging 45.9 passes per 90 minutes and a 85.6 percent passing accuracy rate.

A native of Henderson, Nev., Bailey has recorded three goals and three assists across all competitions for New Mexico, including a pair of goals in the side’s 4-2 victory against Real Salt Lake in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The 24-year-old has made 57 appearances in the USL Championship overall in his career, having previously competed for the LA Galaxy II and San Antonio FC.