Moudi Najjar (Arabic: مودي النجار; born 20 June 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward, for Hwaseong FC in the K3 League.[2] Born in Australia, Najjar was called up to the Syria national team in 2023.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 20 June 2000[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Winger, forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Hwaseong FC | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2016 | Bonnyrigg White Eagles | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2018 | Western Sydney Wanderers NPL | 8 | (2) |
| 2018–2020 | Melbourne City NPL | 34 | (24) |
| 2019–2021 | Melbourne City | 8 | (1) |
| 2020–2021 | → Macarthur FC (loan) | 14 | (0) |
| 2021 | → Northbridge FC (loan) | 12 | (3) |
| 2021–2023 | Macarthur FC | 22 | (3) |
| 2022 | Northbridge FC | 6 | (1) |
| 2024 | Rockdale Ilinden | 0 | (0) |
| 2024– | Hwaseong FC | 12 | (3) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2017–2018 | Australia U19 | 3 | (3) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 July 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 October 2018 | |||
Club career
editWestern Sydney Wanderers
editAt the age of 17, Najjar played his first game in his youth starting career. Najjar came on for Mohamed Adam while scoring his first goal for Western Sydney Wanderers Youth in an 8–0 win over Canberra United Youth.
Najjar was part of the 2017-18 Y-League championship winning Western Sydney Wanderers Youth team. He replaced Fabian Monge in the 71st minute as they beat Melbourne City Youth 3–1 in the 2018 Y-League Grand Final on 3 February 2018.[3]
Melbourne City
editOn 1 July 2017, Najjar signed a two-year scholarship contract with Melbourne City.[4] He made his professional debut as a second-half substitute in a Round 15 clash with his former club Western Sydney Wanderers, City running out 4–3 winners at AAMI Park.[5]
Najjar signed his first professional contract on 11 September 2019, penning a two-year deal with the club.[6] He scored his first A-League goal in the final regular season match of the 2019–20 season, a 3–1 win over Western United.[7]
Macarthur FC
editFollowing the conclusion of the 2019–20 A-League season, Najjar went on loan to new A-League club Macarthur FC for the 2020–21 A-League season.[8] He also played for their National Premier Leagues NSW affiliate club, Northbridge FC.[9]
In July 2021, Macarthur FC confirmed that Najjar's loan agreement with Melbourne City had been mutually closed, allowing Najjar to sign a two-year contract with Macarthur.[10]
International career
editOn 10 June 2023, it was announced that Najjar had accepted a callup to the Syria national team for their friendly against Vietnam.[11][12]
Personal life
editBorn in Australia, Najjar is of Syrian descent from his mother and Lebanese descent from his father.[13]
Honours
editWestern Sydney Wanderers
Macarthur FC
Individual
References
edit- ^ Moudi Najjar at WorldFootball.net
- ^ Stavroulakis, Mark (7 February 2024). "Ilinden hyped for 2024 season". Football NSW. Mark Stavroulakis. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Wanderers crowned Foxtel National Youth League Champions". Y-League. 3 February 2018.
- ^ "Melbourne City add two youngsters to Hyundai A-League squad". A-League. 13 February 2018.
- ^ "Melbourne City vs. Western Sydney Wanderers - 22 January 2019 - Soccerway".
- ^ "Signing news: City promote exciting youngsters to Hyundai A-League squad". 11 September 2019.
- ^ "Melbourne City too strong for under strength Western United". The World Game.
- ^ "Macarthur snap up Melbourne City duo". The World Game. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
- ^ Moudi Najjar at Soccerway
- ^ "Moudi Najjar stays with the Bulls". Macarthur FC. 6 July 2021.
- ^ Syrian National Team [@syrian.national.team] (9 June 2023). أعلن المدير الفني للمنتخب الوطني الأول السيد هيكتور كوبر قائمة اللاعبين الذين سيشاركون في المباراة الودية مع منتخب فيتنام. [The head coach of the senior national team, Mr. Héctor Cúper, announced the list of players who will participate in the friendly match with the Vietnam national team.] (in Arabic) – via Instagram.
- ^ Syrian National Team [@syrian.national.team] (9 June 2023). لاعب منتخبنا الوطني الجديد مودي النجار يلعب بنادي #MacarthurFC في الدوري الاسترالي الممتاز ويبلغ من العمر 23 عاماً ويلعب بجميع المراكز الهجومية [Our new national team player, Moudi Najjar, plays for #MacarthurFC in the Australian Premier League. He is 23 years old and plays in all attacking positions.] (in Arabic) – via Instagram.
- ^ Krayem, Charbel (22 June 2023). أبناء المهاجرين ذخيرة لبنان في كأس آسيا [Children of immigrants ammunition for Lebanon in the Asian Cup]. Al Akhbar (in Arabic). Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "Macarthur prevail in Australia cup final against Sydney United". The Football Sack. 2 October 2022.
External links
edit- Moudi Najjar at Soccerway
- Moudi Najjar at Macarthur