TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced today that Loudoun United FC’s Abdellatif Aboukoura had been voted the 2025 USL Championship Young Player of the Year after leading the club to the postseason for the first time in its history with a sparkling breakout campaign.

The 21-year-old recorded 12 goals and two assists for United in the regular season, more than doubling his previous single-season high for goals and goal contributions in his burgeoning career to become Loudoun’s first USL Championship All-League selection and award-winner in its seven-season history.

“I am very grateful to have won this award,” said Aboukoura. “Thank you to God, my family, the coaching staff, and my teammates at Loudoun. This only motivates me more to train harder and stay focused on accomplishing both my personal goals and helping the team win trophies.”

A native of Fairfax, Va., Aboukoura made his debut for Loudoun as a 16-year-old USL Academy signing in the 2021 USL Championship season. He recorded his first goal for the club in his first appearance in 2022, logging four goals and one assist in 13 appearances, before trialing at clubs in Europe after turning 18 the following year.

Upon his return to Loudoun in 2024, his trajectory in the league continued its rapid progression. He recorded five goals and one assist last season, electing to sign professional terms with United midway through the campaign, and this year produced a breakout campaign that helped power the club’s shift into serious playoff contention for the first time.

Aboukoura’s bright start to the season saw him become only the second player in club history to win a USL Championship Player of the Month award in March, while in addition to his 14 goal contributions he led the league with 45 completed dribbles and notched 31 chances created. Aboukoura also notched a 65.1 percent shootout accuracy rate and 19.7 shot conversion rate while recording 61 shots overall, earning a +4.95 Goals Added mark.

“Abdellatif has been outstanding this season,” said Loudoun President Karl Sharman. “This Young Player of the Year award isn’t a surprise for me. He’s shown real quality, consistency, and maturity beyond his age. He’s a player who turns up every day to improve, and you can see that in his performances. He’s a credit to the club, and there’s no doubt he’s got a big future ahead of him.”

Aboukoura earned the Young Player of the Year award with 54 percent of the ballot, voted on by club management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market following the conclusion of the 2025 USL Championship regular season. Hartford Athletic’s Mamadou Dieng and North Carolina FC’s Finn Sundstrom finished tied for second with 10 percent of the ballot.

Twelve players received votes in the overall ballot.

USL Championship Young Player of the Year Award Winners
2025 – Abdellatif Aboukoura, Loudoun United FC
2024 – Elijah Wynder, Louisville City FC
2023 – Fidel Barajas, Charleston Battery
2022 – Michee Ngalina, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
2021 – Jonathan Gomez, Louisville City FC
2020 – Wilson Harris, Sporting Kansas City II
2019 – Cristian Parano, San Antonio FC
2018 – Efrain Alvarez, LA Galaxy II
2017 – Chris Wehan, Reno 1868 FC
2016 – Brandon Allen, New York Red Bulls II
2015 – Kharlton Belmar, Portland Timbers 2
2014 – John McCarthy, Rochester Rhinos
2013 – Nate Robinson, Richmond Kickers
2012 – Jose Cuevas, Charleston Battery
2011 – Luke Mulholland, Wilmington Hammerheads FC

Note: Award was Rookie of the Year between 2011-17