Haji Wright

Haji Wright (born March 27, 1998) is an American soccer player who currently plays as a striker for Dutch club VVV-Venlo.

Haji Wright
Personal information
Full name Haji Wright
Date of birth (1998-03-27) March 27, 1998
Place of birth Los Angeles, California, United States
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing position(s) Forward, Winger
Club information
Current team
 VVV-Venlo
Number 7
Youth career
2012–2015 LA Galaxy
2016–2017 Schalke 04
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015 New York Cosmos 3 (0)
2015 New York Cosmos B 4 (5)
2017–2019 Schalke 04 II 19 (13)
2017–2019 Schalke 04 7 (1)
2017–2018 → SV Sandhausen (loan) 15 (1)
2019– VVV-Venlo 20 (0)
National team‡
2013 United States U15 10 (2)
2013–2015 United States U17 34 (27)
2014–2015 United States U18 5 (2)
2016 United States U19 2 (0)
2019– United States U23 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of February 12, 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of March 27, 2019

Career

Youth

Known for his finishing, ability to win headers, and quickness,[1] Wright had been dubbed by many media outlets as one of the top prospects in the United States youth system.[2][3] His success with the U-17 national team, prompted him to train with Schalke 04's academy.[4]

Professional

New York Cosmos

In March 2015, Wright officially signed with NASL club New York Cosmos for an undisclosed fee and contract length.[5] Wright's contract expired following the season, and he did not re-sign.[6] During his time at Cosmos, Wright featured in 3 league games, playing a total of 80 minutes. He made his debut versus Indy Eleven on July 26, 2015.[7]

Schalke 04

In April 2016, Wright signed with Schalke 04.[8] In his debut with the Schalke U19 team on April 16, Wright scored a brace against Borussia Mönchengladbach U19.

Wright was promoted to the Schalke first team in May 2017.[9] He was named on the bench against FC Ingolstadt 04 on May 20, 2017.[10] In July 2018, Wright underwent a trial period with 2. Bundesliga club Union Berlin.[11] On November 24, 2018, Wright made his debut for Schalke first team when he replaced Steven Skrzybski in the 88th minute of the 5–2 win against 1. FC Nürnberg.[12]

VVV-Venlo

In July 2019, Wright joined VVV-Venlo on a free transfer.[13]

Personal life

Haji's brother Hanif plays on the U19 team of Bonner SC.[14] Haji's cousins are also active in athletics: Joseph Putu played American Football Cornerback for the Florida Gators,[15] his second cousin, Isaac Nana Addai, played for the Liberia national under-23 football team as well as Boston City FC, and his third cousin, Joseph Addai, won Super Bowl XLI in 2007 with the Indianapolis Colts.[16]

Career statistics
As of February 12, 2020[17]
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
New York Cosmos2015NASL3010–40
Schalke 042016–17Bundesliga00000000
SV Sandhausen (loan)2017–182. Bundesliga15100–151
Schalke 042018–19Bundesliga71000071
VVV-Venlo2019–20Eredivisie20010–210
Career total 4521000472

References
  1. "LA Galaxy's Haji Wright leads list of 7 MLS Academy players called to US U-17 national team". MLS Soccer. MLSSoccer.com. April 1, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  2. Davis, Noah (February 4, 2015). "Haji Wright and the Next Big Thing: Should the USMNT Be Getting More From Its Under-17 Team?". Grantland. Grantland.com. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  3. "The Wright stuff for USA?". FIFA. FIFA.com. February 27, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  4. Parchman, Will. "Haji Wright on the precipice of Europe". Top Drawer Soccer. TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  5. "Cosmos Sign Striker Haji Wright". New York Cosmos. NYCosmos.com.
  6. "Cosmos Announce First Roster Moves Following Championship 2015 Season".
  7. Haji Wright at Soccerway
  8. "Spielberechtigung für Haji Wright ist da" (in German). schalke04.de. April 16, 2016.
  9. "Schalke promote American duo McKennie and Wright to senior squad". bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website.
  10. "Ingolstadt vs. Schalke 04 – 20 May 2017 – Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com.
  11. "Haji Wright trains with Union first-team". 1. FC Union Berlin. July 10, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  12. "Schalke 04 vs. Nürnberg 5 - 2". Soccerway. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  13. "Haji Wright joins VVV Venlo". Schalke 04. July 12, 2019.
  14. "and brothers Haji and Hanif Wright". BeIN Sports.
  15. "Joseph Putu, a war refugee for six years, overcame long odds to reach Florida". SecCountry.com.
  16. "Addai comes from a very athletic family including his cousin, Joseph Addai, an NFL running back and Super Bowl winner. Haji Wright". Santa Clara Broncos.
  17. "Haji Wright » Club matches". Worldfootball.net.
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