ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico United announced on Monday the club had signed midfielder Sofiane Djeffal ahead of the 2026 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Djeffal joins the Black & Yellow having most recently competed for fellow USL Championship club Lexington SC, where he recorded one goal and 18 chances created in 1,603 minutes during the 2025 regular season. The 26-year-old completed 728 passes overall at an 88.6 percent accuracy rate while also logging 67 recoveries and 23 interceptions and winning 23 tackles at a 69.7 percent success rate.

“Sofiane is a proven midfielder with a wealth of experience across MLS and USL,” said Sporting Director Itamar Keinan. “His quality fits perfectly with our style, and we’re thrilled to welcome him.”

Born in Nantes, France, Djeffal began his development in the FC Nantes academy before continuing his career at Oregon State University. At Oregon State, he established himself as one of the top players in college soccer, earning Pac-12 Player of the Year honors in 2021 and being named to the All-Pac-12 First Team in three consecutive seasons.

Djeffal was selected 36th overall by D.C. United in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft and made 28 appearances during his rookie season. He later joined Austin FC after being selected first overall in the 2023 MLS Re-Entry Draft, appearing in nine matches across all competitions, including the Concacaf Champions League.