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USL North Carolina FC

Former Fan-Favorite Captain and Homegrown Nazmi Albadawi Returns to North Carolina FC

May 30, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
North Carolina FC News Release


Cary, NC - Midfielder Nazmi Albadawi will return to North Carolina FC after spending time with FC Cincinnati, the club announced today. Albadawi returns on loan through the 2019 season and has agreed to terms on a deal that runs through 2020. Per League and Club policy no further terms were disclosed, and the loan agreement is pending league and federation approval. Additionally, the club has announced that Tommy McCabe has been recalled to FC Cincinnati. The young midfielder made nine appearances for NCFC, with eight starts and recorded two goals, including the game winner in his professional debut against Louisville City FC on March 9.

Albadawi spent the last season and a half with FC Cincinnati where he appeared in 27 matches during the club's final USL season scoring 11 goals and adding four assists, helping the team win the League's Eastern Conference and finishing at the top of the combined table. The Raleigh native transitioned with the team to Major League Soccer making his MLS debut as a substitute last May 25 against the NY Red Bulls.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring back Nazmi to our club for many reasons," said NCFC Head Coach Dave Sarachan. "First and most importantly, he is a player with great ability and technical skill that will help our team on both sides of the ball. Equally important, he is a person of great character and possesses leadership skills that transcend beyond the playing field. Along with the fact that he is highly respected in this area and community, we feel we've added a tremendous all-around player and person that will help our team immediately."

"I'm so happy to be able to come home and play for NCFC again," Albadawi said. "It's a club that has a very special place in my heart and I can't wait to get started with Dave and the rest of the staff and players. It'll be nice to see some familiar faces both on and off the field!"

Albadawi is a true example of the club's youth-to-pro pipeline. He spent his whole soccer career in the Raleigh area, as a member of Triangle United and Capital Area Soccer League (now NCFC Youth) during his youth club days, and as a four-year letter winner at Athens Drive High School. He then proceeded to play one year at Wake Tech before joining NC State as a walk-on, where he made 45 appearances and scored 17 goals for the Wolfpack. During the summers of his college career, the 27-year old played for the Carolina RailHawks U23s in 2012 and 2013, and ultimately earned a spot on the first team in 2014.

During his tenure at NCFC from 2014 to 2017, he appeared in 113 matches recording 21 goals and adding 19 assists across all competitions. Most notably, he broke the NASL's single-season assists record in 2016 and his strong leadership skills earned him the captain's armband in 2016 and 2017 becoming an instant fan-favorite on and off the field.

Albadawi has also been very active in the community throughout the years. In 2015, following the loss of three friends who tragically died in a shooting in Chapel Hill, he helped raise funds for "Our Three Winners" a charity created in their honor whose mission is to reduce prejudice towards American Muslims and marginalized communities. He has also been active in helping grow the game and is often seen on the sidelines mentoring young soccer players who, such as himself, harbor the dream of one day becoming a professional soccer player.

The versatile midfielder will be available for selection this weekend as the team travels to Hartford, CT to face Hartford Athletic on Saturday, June 1 at 7 p.m.

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