Andy Najar Bio
Andy Ariel Najar Rodríguez is a Honduran professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Major League Soccer club Nashville SC. Known for his agility and versatility, Najar has built a career that spans top-flight football in North America and Europe. He first rose to prominence with D.C. United, where his performances as a teenager earned him the MLS Rookie of the Year award in 2010.
Over the following decade, Najar represented clubs in Belgium and across MLS, including a spell at Belgian Pro League side Anderlecht. He has also represented Honduras internationally, appearing in major tournaments such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the Olympic football competition. In January 2025, he returned to MLS by signing with Nashville SC.
Early Life and Background
Andy Ariel Najar Rodríguez was born on 16 March 1993 in Choluteca, Honduras. He grew up in a country with a strong football culture, where the sport is played widely at both amateur and professional levels. As a young player in Honduras, Najar developed an early interest in football, a path supported by his family.
At the age of thirteen, Najar moved with his family from Honduras to the United States, settling in the Washington metropolitan area. The relocation introduced him to a different football environment and opened doors to organized youth competition. He attended Thomas A. Edison High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where he continued to develop as a player while balancing his academic responsibilities.
In 2008, Najar joined the youth academy of D.C. United, a Major League Soccer club based in the United States capital. His time in the academy proved highly productive. He was named to the USSF Development Academy Starting XI in 2009 and was also the leading scorer of the 2009 US Developmental Academy Finals in Los Angeles, marking him out as one of the most promising young defenders in the country.
Path to Professional Soccer
Najar’s progression through the D.C. United academy offered him a clear pathway into professional football. The academy’s connection to a senior MLS team gave him exposure to high-level coaching and competition on a regular basis. His standout performances in 2009 drew attention from scouts and pundits across the league.
On 22 March 2010, Najar signed a professional Generation Adidas contract with D.C. United, making him the second player to graduate directly from the club’s academy to the first team, following goalkeeper Bill Hamid. The Generation Adidas program also made the league and his club responsible for his education, allowing him to continue his studies alongside his professional career.
Najar made his professional debut on 27 March 2010 in D.C. United’s opening game of the 2010 MLS season against the Kansas City Wizards. Just over a month later, on 28 April 2010, he scored his first professional goal in a US Open Cup match against FC Dallas, signaling his readiness for senior football at a young age.
Andy Najar Career
Early Career at D.C. United (2010–2012)
Najar’s first professional seasons established him as one of the most exciting young players in MLS. He played a key role for D.C. United during his debut campaign and impressed observers with his composure on the ball. His performances throughout 2010 earned him the MLS Rookie of the Year award, finishing ahead of Tim Ream and Danny Mwanga.
By the age of 17, Najar was considered one of D.C. United’s top players, drawing praise from Soccer America’s Paul Gardner. Although European clubs expressed interest in signing him, Najar committed his immediate future to D.C. United by signing a multi-year contract in December 2010. In 2012, he became the only player from D.C. United’s academy to be called up for the Olympic football tournament.
Anderlecht Era (2013–2019)
On 7 January 2013, Najar moved to Belgian Pro League champions Anderlecht on an initial one-month loan. The arrangement became permanent on 30 January 2013, with a reported transfer fee of $3 million. The move represented a significant step up in level, taking him from MLS to one of the traditional powerhouses of Belgian football.
Najar made his competitive debut for Anderlecht on 2 August 2013 against Cercle Brugge, entering as a substitute in the 79th minute. He soon delivered memorable moments on the European stage, including opening the scoring in a Champions League match against Arsenal on 22 October 2014, although Anderlecht ultimately lost 2–1. After a summer 2019 injury, however, Najar did not play for Anderlecht for more than a year, which limited his impact in the latter part of his time in Belgium.
Los Angeles FC and Return to D.C. United (2020–2023)
In February 2020, Najar trained with Los Angeles FC during their preseason, and on 17 June 2020 he signed with the club. LAFC had earlier traded $350,000 in General Allocation Money to Nashville SC in exchange for the first selection spot in the league’s Allocation Ranking to complete the move. Following the 2020 season, however, LAFC declined their contract option on Najar.
After his release, Najar returned to former club D.C. United, initially on a six-week trial, before signing a one-year deal with options for two additional years. He featured in the 2–1 win over New York City FC on 17 April 2021 and scored his first MLS goal since his return on 8 August 2021 in a 2–1 win over CF Montréal. During this period, he worked under head coaches including Hernan Losada and Wayne Rooney, sometimes playing as a right wingback and sometimes as a center back.
Olimpia and Nashville SC (2024–Present)
In January 2024, Najar joined Liga Nacional de Honduras club Olimpia on a one-year deal, returning to professional football in his home country. The move allowed him to play regular first-team football and reconnect with Honduran club competition.
On 16 January 2025, Najar returned to Major League Soccer, signing with Nashville SC on a one-year deal. The agreement brought him back to the league where he first made his name and gave Nashville a versatile defender with experience at the highest levels of both European and international football.
Driving Style and Strengths
Najar is recognized for his agility, dribbling skills, and positive ball carries, which often open up scoring opportunities for teammates. Comfortable both as a right wingback and as a center back, he brings tactical flexibility to his teams. His development in MLS and his exposure to European competition have helped him refine the technical and defensive sides of his game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Najar’s career are his 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year award, his goal in a Champions League match against Arsenal in 2014, and his call-up to the 2012 Olympic football tournament. His first international goal, scored against Costa Rica in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup knockout stage, remains a standout moment for the Honduras national team.
Andy Najar International Career
On 6 April 2011, Najar formally announced that he would represent the Honduras national team, choosing his birth nation over the United States, from which he had not yet received citizenship. He made his first international appearance on 3 September 2011 against Colombia, entering the match in the 67th minute.
Najar was also called up to the Honduras U23 national team for the 2012 Olympic football tournament. On 21 July 2013, he scored his first international goal for Honduras in the knockout stages of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Costa Rica, contributing to a 1–0 victory that advanced his country to the semi-finals. In June 2025, Najar announced plans to retire from international football following the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, or potentially after the 2026 FIFA World Cup itself. His final international match took place on 18 November 2025, a draw with Costa Rica in San José that eliminated Honduras from the 2026 World Cup.
Andy Najar Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public information about Najar’s parents and extended family remains limited. He moved from Honduras to the United States at the age of thirteen together with his family, an experience that shaped both his personal life and his football development.
Najar maintains a private personal life, and details regarding his marital status, spouse, and children have not been publicly confirmed. His focus throughout his career has remained on his professional commitments with club and country.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Andy Najar’s return to Major League Soccer after spells in Belgium and Honduras. Having signed with Nashville SC on 16 January 2025 on a one-year deal, he provided the club with experienced depth at right-back and added versatility across the defensive line. His prior experience in MLS, combined with European pedigree, made him a valuable addition to the Nashville squad.
Throughout the season, Najar contributed defensively and in build-up phases, using his dribbling and passing range to support Nashville’s attacking play. His familiarity with the league’s style of play allowed him to adapt quickly after time abroad. He also continued to feature for the Honduras national team during the year.
Looking ahead, Najar’s role at Nashville SC is expected to combine rotational defensive duties with leadership for younger players on the roster. His ongoing experience at both club and international level positions him as a steady presence in 2025 and beyond, while his announced international retirement plan signals a coming transition in his career.