CARY, NC (September 3, 2021) – North Carolina FC captain Nazmi Albadawi has announced his retirement from professional soccer after an eight-year career that entailed time spent in the MLS, USL, and the NASL. One of the most accomplished players in NCFC history, Albadawi spent time throughout his career with FC Cincinnati and North Carolina FC and has also represented Palestine on the international stage.
Albadawi’s final match with NCFC will be on Saturday, September 11 against New England Revolution II. Kick-off will be at 7 p.m. ET and tickets to that match can be purchased here. The club will also honor Albadawi as a part of the Carolina RailHawks Throwback Night on Saturday October 9 at 3 p.m. ET. Tickets to that match can be found here.
Following his retirement, Albadawi plans to stay connected with the club as he continues to coach his 2011 and 2009 NCFC Academy teams. He has also accepted a full-time time sales role at a local technology company in Raleigh. The club would like to thank Albadawi for his dedication throughout his influential career with North Carolina FC and wish him all the best in his retirement.
“I would like to thank NCFC for giving me my first professional contract and helping me achieve my dream of becoming a pro,” Albadawi said. “Retiring is never an easy decision but it’s the best move for my family and myself. I wish the club the best of luck moving forward.”
Prior to officially signing as a pro with the club, Albadawi played with the Carolina RailHawks U23's from 2012 and 2013, winning the USASA National Championship in 2013. He went on to sign a professional contract in 2014, making his professional debut on April 13 in the then-Carolina RailHawks 1-1 draw against Indy Eleven. In his first four seasons with NCFC, Albadawi appeared in 113 matches, scoring 21 goals and recording 19 assists, breaking the NASL single-season assist record with ten assists in 2016 and serving as captain of the squad from 2016-2017.
In early January of 2018, Albadawi signed a multi-year deal with FC Cincinnati of the USL Championship, for whom he scored eleven goals and recorded four assists in 27 games. During this time, the midfielder also made his debut on the international stage, scoring for Palestine in a 2-1 win against Pakistan. Since his international debut, Albadawi has registered nine caps for his country. Albadawi made his MLS debut for FC Cincinnati in 2019 in a match against the New York Red Bulls before returning to North Carolina FC on loan through the end of the 2019 season, signing a new contract with NCFC in November 2019 for the 2020 season. This season, Albadawi has made ten appearances for the club.
“There are not many people who have had such a positive impact on our soccer community and genuinely affected so many people along the way, like Nazmi Albadawi has,” NCFC Head Coach John Bradford said. “In every environment he has been in, he’s made a lasting impression that has made the club, or the program, or the locker room, always just a little bit better. He’s been more than just a quality player who has impacted all of his North Carolina FC and Carolina RailHawks teams, but also a tremendous club figure whose personality has resonated with teammates, coaches, and fans alike. I’d like to personally thank Naz for his efforts this year with our 2021 North Carolina FC team, as our first signed player, our clear leader, and role model throughout this season. I’m certain that if you asked every young player in our locker room who has had the most influence on them this season, it would undoubtedly be Naz. I’m excited for this next stage of life for him and Yasmeen, their growing family, and wish them all the best.”
A native to Raleigh, Albadawi grew up playing for Triangle United and Capital Area Soccer League (now NCFC Youth) from the age of 6-13, where he won the State Cup with his NCFC U12 squad. Albadawi went on to play for Athens Drive High School before beginning his collegiate career with Wake Tech Community College in 2009. After spending a year at Wake Tech, Albadawi walked onto the men’s soccer team at NC State University. From 2010 to 2013, Albadawi made 45 appearances for the Wolfpack and scored 17 goals.
“I am thrilled for Naz as he transitions into his next career and next stage of life with his wonderful family,” President and GM Curt Johnson said. “Naz has been the heartbeat of the club for many years, cheering from the stands as a kid, rising through the ranks as a player, and emerging as a key leader on and off the field. It’s been my pleasure to work with him as you always knew he would place the interests of the team and club first. He is a product of our great community and I’m glad he has decided to stay in Raleigh while pursuing his new job in technology and that he will continue to coach teams in NCFC Youth and mentor the next generation of players. We look forward to honoring him on October 9th. Thank you Naz.”
NCFC’s next home match will take place tomorrow, September 4 against Union Omaha at 7 p.m. ET. Tickets can be found here. Tickets to Albadawi’s final match with the club on Saturday, September 11 against New England Revolution can be purchased here.
CARY, NC (September 3, 2021) – North Carolina FC captain Nazmi Albadawi has announced his retirement from professional soccer after an eight-year career that entailed time spent in the MLS, USL, and the NASL. One of the most accomplished players in NCFC history, Albadawi spent time throughout his career with FC Cincinnati and North Carolina FC and has also represented Palestine on the international stage.
Albadawi’s final match with NCFC will be on Saturday, September 11 against New England Revolution II. Kick-off will be at 7 p.m. ET and tickets to that match can be purchased here. The club will also honor Albadawi as a part of the Carolina RailHawks Throwback Night on Saturday October 9 at 3 p.m. ET. Tickets to that match can be found here.
Following his retirement, Albadawi plans to stay connected with the club as he continues to coach his 2011 and 2009 NCFC Academy teams. He has also accepted a full-time time sales role at a local technology company in Raleigh. The club would like to thank Albadawi for his dedication throughout his influential career with North Carolina FC and wish him all the best in his retirement.
“I would like to thank NCFC for giving me my first professional contract and helping me achieve my dream of becoming a pro,” Albadawi said. “Retiring is never an easy decision but it’s the best move for my family and myself. I wish the club the best of luck moving forward.”
Prior to officially signing as a pro with the club, Albadawi played with the Carolina RailHawks U23’s from 2012 and 2013, winning the USASA National Championship in 2013. He went on to sign a professional contract in 2014, making his professional debut on April 13 in the then-Carolina RailHawks 1-1 draw against Indy Eleven. In his first four seasons with NCFC, Albadawi appeared in 113 matches, scoring 21 goals and recording 19 assists, breaking the NASL single-season assist record with ten assists in 2016 and serving as captain of the squad from 2016-2017.
In early January of 2018, Albadawi signed a multi-year deal with FC Cincinnati of the USL Championship, for whom he scored eleven goals and recorded four assists in 27 games. During this time, the midfielder also made his debut on the international stage, scoring for Palestine in a 2-1 win against Pakistan. Since his international debut, Albadawi has registered nine caps for his country. Albadawi made his MLS debut for FC Cincinnati in 2019 in a match against the New York Red Bulls before returning to North Carolina FC on loan through the end of the 2019 season, signing a new contract with NCFC in November 2019 for the 2020 season. This season, Albadawi has made ten appearances for the club.
“There are not many people who have had such a positive impact on our soccer community and genuinely affected so many people along the way, like Nazmi Albadawi has,” NCFC Head Coach John Bradford said. “In every environment he has been in, he’s made a lasting impression that has made the club, or the program, or the locker room, always just a little bit better. He’s been more than just a quality player who has impacted all of his North Carolina FC and Carolina RailHawks teams, but also a tremendous club figure whose personality has resonated with teammates, coaches, and fans alike. I’d like to personally thank Naz for his efforts this year with our 2021 North Carolina FC team, as our first signed player, our clear leader, and role model throughout this season. I’m certain that if you asked every young player in our locker room who has had the most influence on them this season, it would undoubtedly be Naz. I’m excited for this next stage of life for him and Yasmeen, their growing family, and wish them all the best.”
A native to Raleigh, Albadawi grew up playing for Triangle United and Capital Area Soccer League (now NCFC Youth) from the age of 6-13, where he won the State Cup with his NCFC U12 squad. Albadawi went on to play for Athens Drive High School before beginning his collegiate career with Wake Tech Community College in 2009. After spending a year at Wake Tech, Albadawi walked onto the men’s soccer team at NC State University. From 2010 to 2013, Albadawi made 45 appearances for the Wolfpack and scored 17 goals.
“I am thrilled for Naz as he transitions into his next career and next stage of life with his wonderful family,” President and GM Curt Johnson said. “Naz has been the heartbeat of the club for many years, cheering from the stands as a kid, rising through the ranks as a player, and emerging as a key leader on and off the field. It’s been my pleasure to work with him as you always knew he would place the interests of the team and club first. He is a product of our great community and I’m glad he has decided to stay in Raleigh while pursuing his new job in technology and that he will continue to coach teams in NCFC Youth and mentor the next generation of players. We look forward to honoring him on October 9th. Thank you Naz.”
NCFC’s next home match will take place tomorrow, September 4 against Union Omaha at 7 p.m. ET. Tickets can be found here. Tickets to Albadawi’s final match with the club on Saturday, September 11 against New England Revolution can be purchased here.
