PRONUNCIATION
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2018 (Philadelphia/Bethlehem): Najem did not appear for Philadelphia in 2018. He received his first-ever international call-up from the Afghanistan National Team ahead of a friendly vs. Palestine in Kabul, Afghanistan (August 19), which he started, earning his first cap. For Bethlehem Steel FC, he made 15 regular-season appearances (15 starts), with 10 coming at central attacking midfield and five at central midfield, totaling three goals and two assists. Season highlights include: he registered his first assist of the season for Steel FC as part of a 3-1 win vs. Richmond (May 6), ledSteel FC to a 3-0 win with a one-goal, one-assist performance against New York Red Bulls II (May 16), recorded his second goal of the season, a game-tying tally, vs. North Carolina FC (July 14), scored the game-winner in the 93rd minute at Nashville (August 25).
2017 (Philadelphia/Bethlehem): Najem made five appearances (one start) for Philadelphia at central attacking midfield during his rookie season. He made his MLS debut as a second-half substitute against NYCFC (April 14), and made his first regular-season start at Columbus (July 22). In the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, he made one appearance, as a substitute at the Red Bulls (June 28). For Bethlehem Steel FC, Najem made 22 regular-season appearances, all starts, with 17 at central attacking midfield and five at central midfield. He scored two goals and added eight assists for Steel FC, and added a start in the club's playoff match at Louisville (October 20).
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Najem has earned one international cap for Afghanistan. He received his first-ever call-up from the Afghanistan National Team in 2018 ahead of a friendly vs. Palestine in Kabul, Afghanistan (August 19). He started the match, which ended in a 0-0 draw, earning his first cap. He was called in for a second time ahead of a friendly at Nepal (November 14).
COLLEGIATE EXPERIENCE
A four-year starter at the University of Akron, Najem totaled 89 appearances (87 starts) over his collegiate career, scoring 33 goals and adding 29 assists. His single-season career-high in goals was 14, set in 2014-15, and his single-campaign best in helpers was 11, set a year later as part of a 10-goal, 11-assist season in 2015-16. He was named the 2016 MAC Player of the Year and is a four-time first-team All-Mid-American Conference honoree. Additionally, the midfielder was named a Second-Team NSCAA All-American in 2015 and a Third-Team NSCAA All-American in 2016. He is also a two-time First Team NSCAA Academic All-American (2015, 2016).
Philadelphia Union sign Adam Najem after acquiring his Right of First Refusal from the New York Red Bulls on February 8, 2017 in exchange for their natural Second Round 2018 MLS SuperDraft choice
Name: Adam Najem
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 150
Born: January 19, 1995 in Wayne, NJ
Hometown: Clifton, NJ
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Philadelphia Union sign Adam Najem after acquiring his Right of First Refusal from the New York Red Bulls on February 8, 2017 in exchange for their natural Second Round 2018 MLS SuperDraft choice
