CINCINNATI, OH --- FC Cincinnati’s 2018 roster will be bolstered further with the addition of midfielder Nazmi Albadawi (NAHZ-me all-bah-DOW-ee), a two-time NASL Best XI selection, who has signed a multi-year contract with the club.
“Nazmi is an excellent technical player who has the ability to create opportunities for the players all around him,” Head Coach Alan Koch said. “We expect him to come in and make an immediate impact with our team. He is a leader on and off the pitch and will be a vital part of our clubs plans moving forward.”
Logging 110 league appearances with North Carolina FC from 2014-17, Albadawi earned back-to-back NASL Best XI recognition in 2016 and 2017. He totaled four goals and six assists over 33 appearances in 2017, helping the club to the Championship semifinal. Albadawi also scored twice in the U.S. Open Cup. In 2016, he set an NASL record with 10 assists while chipping in three goals. He scored a single-season best six goals in 2015 during the club’s fall slate, totaling 23 appearances during the season. In his first season with North Carolina FC, Albadawi put away four goals while making 20 starts.
“The club has a hugely exciting future and I’m delighted to be a part of the long-term plans,” said Albadawi. “I can’t wait to play in front of the best fans in America and win trophies for the city of Cincinnati.”
Albadawi, a product of CASL (Capital Area Soccer League) and Triangle United Soccer Association, began his time with the RailHawks as a member of the U-23 team in 2012, and captained the RailHawks U-23 squad that captured the prestigious USASA National Championship in 2013. Albadawi later joined the NASL prior to the start of the 2014 Season when he was offered his first professional contract.
He was a three-year letterwinner at North Carolina State, where he was an All-ACC second-team performer. He ranked eighth in the conference in points with nine and sixth in goals scored with four. He ranked in the top 10 in the ACC all three seasons and led the team in 2011 with nine goals and 21 points and was voted an ACC Player of the Week.
He prepped at Athens Drive High School in Raleigh. A three-time all-conference choice and an all-region honoree as a senior, Albadawi scored 35 goals and 60 assists to lead the program to a 65-23 record. He captured three consecutive regional championships from 2008-10 with Triangle United.
Name: Nazmi Albadawi
Pronunciation: NAHZ-me all-bah-DOW-ee
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 167
Date of birth: August 24, 1991
Age: 26
Hometown:
Raleigh, NC
Country: USA
Last club: North Carolina FC
How acquired: Signed on Jan. 15, 2018
