OAKLAND, Calif. – Oakland Roots SC announced on Saturday it had acquired defender Abdi Mohamed via transfer from fellow USL Championship club New Mexico United ahead of the 2025 season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Mohamed joins Oakland having featured prominently in New Mexico’s successful 2024 which saw it finish top of the Western Conference. A midseason addition, Mohamed recorded three goals, two assists and 14 chances created for United in 22 appearances. He also notched 15 interceptions, 37 clearances and 62 recoveries while winning 71 duels at a 62.3 percent success rate.

The 28-year-old had previously competed in the USL Championship during the 2019 season, when he joined Memphis 901 FC on loan from New York City FC of Major League Soccer. Mohamed had one assist in 21 appearances for Memphis while also recording 22 interceptions, 36 clearances, 86 recoveries and 19 tackles won at a 61.3 percent success rate.

He then joined Greenville Triumph SC ahead of the 2020 USL League One season and helped the side claim its first league title during the abbreviated campaign. Over two seasons with the Triumph, Mohamed recorded three assists and 29 chances created in 33 appearances.

Mohamed then spent two seasons with Columbus Crew 2 of MLS NEXT Pro, where he recorded two goals and six assists in 54 appearances. In the 2022 season he helped Crew 2 win MLS NEXT Pro Cup and the reserve league’s regular season title.

In addition to his domestic club career, Mohamed has made seven appearances for the Somalia Men’s National Team. Most recently, he competed for the side in March 2024 in a pair of 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying contests against Eswatini.