skip navigation

North Carolina FC Re-Signs Club Icon Nazmi Albadawi

By USLLeagueOne.com Staff, 02/03/21, 9:00AM EST

Share

Veteran midfielder & Raleigh native is club's first signing as member of League One


The 2021 season will be Albadawi's seventh with NCFC / Photo courtesy North Carolina FC

Cary, N.C. - North Carolina FC announced today that club icon Nazmi Albadawi has signed a new contract, which will see him remain with his hometown team for the 2021 season pending league and federation approval. A veteran with a wealth of leadership experience, Albadawi will enter his seventh season as a member of the organization, and is NCFC’s first signing as a member of USL League One.

“I could not be happier to stay with North Carolina FC in this transition period and to attempt to help the club bring home a title,” said Albadawi. “I was blessed to have some great mentors and older players my rookie year with the RailHawks and it helped me learn what it took to really be a pro. I’m hoping I can have the same sort of impact on the younger players this year and that I can help them grow both on and off the field.”

Albadawi has made his mark on North Carolina Football Club over the years and holds a spot in many of the club’s record books. He is the club's all-time assists leader with 24, and in 2020, made his 150th appearance with NCFC, making him fourth in all-time appearances. He also ranks in the top five in goals scored, games started, and minutes.

A proven leader on and off the field, Albadawi brought home the 2020 Team Leadership Award after leading the team in community appearances and captaining the side. He was voted the Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017, as well as MVP in 2016.

“I’m thrilled to have Naz returning to the club for 2021,” said NCFC Head Coach John Bradford. “His experience, quality, and leadership will be extremely important in establishing our team’s competitive identity on the field.  Naz will also have an invaluable impact on our overall environment, setting the standard for younger professionals and top academy players both on and off the field.  It’s great to have our first signing be an individual who believes so passionately in our club and community and wants to be here at North Carolina FC.”

Albadawi is a true homegrown player that has been with North Carolina Football Club for nearly the entirety of his career. The midfielder played in the NCFC Youth Academy, NCFC U-23 team in USL League Two, and attended NC State University before joining the senior squad of the Carolina RailHawks in 2014.

Albadawi played four seasons with the club before joining FC Cincinnati for the 2018 season, where he made 28 appearances and scored 11 goals before returning to NCFC on loan in 2019. 

Off the field, Albadawi is an inspiration and model for the athletes of NCFC Youth, where he has coached several teams over the years. In continuing to grow the sport in the area, the Raleigh-native has worked with The Bucy Foundation to promote the mini-pitch initiative which will bring five fields to the area.

Albadawi is a member of North Carolina Football Club’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force that looks to build a better forum for collaboration on community initiatives for years to come.

As an American-born Palestinian, Albadawi has represented Palestine at the international level nine times. He made his first appearance with the team in a friendly against Pakistan on November 16, 2018 and scored the game-winning goal. 

“This is year seven with the organization for me and over that time I have created a great bond with the entire organization and most importantly our amazing fans," said Abladawi. “I am already looking forward to getting to work with my teammates and our coaching staff.”


Follow USL League One

Most Recent USL League One News

Most Read USL League One News

USL League One News