ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United announced on Wednesday the club had signed defender Maliek Howell ahead of the 2026 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Howell joins the Black & Yellow after competing during the 2025 season with Birmingham Legion FC and Las Vegas Lights FC, having previously delivered a stellar 2024 season with the Lights as the side reached the USL Championship Playoffs for the first time while working with current United Head Coach Dennis Sanchez.

The 25-year-old has recorded 44 appearances in the league overall, winning 139 duels at a 65.9 percent success rate as well as 142 recoveries, 41 interceptions and 106 clearances.

“Maliek is a player we’ve been monitoring for some time,” said Sporting Director Itamar Keinan. “He has a prior relationship with Coach Dennis, and his eagerness to return to the community after playing for the Lobos made him a natural fit for our club.

“He’s an athletic center back with an infectious personality, and we can’t wait for our fans to meet him in person. Welcome back to New Mexico, Maliek.”

A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Howell has made three appearances in international exhibitions for the Jamaica Men’s National Team. He also previously competed collegiately at the University of New Mexico in 2018 and later at the University of Memphis from 2019–2022, giving him familiarity with the New Mexico soccer landscape prior to his return to Albuquerque.