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Germany Gedion Zelalem is a professional soccer midfielder known for his precise passing and tactical awareness, having played for clubs across European leagues and Major League Soccer.
Sporting Kansas City announced the acquisition of midfielder Gedion Zelalem in a transfer from English Premier League side Arsenal FC in March 2019.
New Mexico United is thrilled to announce the signing of star midfielder Gedion Zelalem, ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season.
New York City FC signed midfielder Gedion Zelalem in January 2020, and later re-signed him to a new contract prior to the start of the 2021 season, and then to a one-year extension with options after winning the MLS Cup in 2021.
Gedion Zelalem started out playing in Arsenal's under-16s squad, before graduating into the under-21s in April 2013. He signed a professional contract with English Premier League heavyweights Arsenal FC.
Born in Berlin, Germany on January 26, 1997, Gedion Zelalem began his youth soccer career with BFC Germania 1888 at age five, later moving to Hertha BSC’s academy. In 2006, he and his father relocated to the United States, settling in the Washington, D.C. area where he continued playing for youth teams including MSC United, Bethesda Soccer Club, BNC Revolution, and the Olney Rangers. His talent was recognized by an Arsenal scout while playing for the Olney Rangers during a Dallas Cup match, leading to an invitation to the Arsenal youth academy. He joined Arsenal in early 2013 and quickly progressed, making his debut with the under-21 team in April 2013 and being included in the senior squad for their Asia tour in July 2013. His professional journey with Arsenal included his senior squad debut in an FA Cup match in January 2014 and a UEFA Champions League appearance in December 2014.
Zelalem’s career progression included loan spells to gain further experience. From 2015 to 2016, he was loaned to Rangers in Scotland, where he played 21 Championship matches, contributing to their Scottish Championship title and Scottish Challenge Cup win. He also converted a penalty in a Scottish Cup semi-final shootout against Celtic. In January 2017, he was loaned to Dutch second-tier club VVV-Venlo, making nine league appearances and winning the 2016–17 Eerste Divisie title. Following his time in Europe, Zelalem moved to Major League Soccer, signing with Sporting Kansas City in March 2019 and later joining New York City FC in January 2020. With New York City FC, he made 18 league appearances over three seasons and was part of the squad that won the MLS Cup in 2021. He later played for Den Bosch in the Netherlands and signed with New Mexico United in 2025.
Internationally, Zelalem represented Germany’s youth teams, playing for the U15, U16, and U17 squads. In 2014, he became a U.S. citizen and was subsequently cleared by FIFA to represent the United States, making his debut for the U.S. U20 team in May 2015. He has represented the United States at youth levels over 25 times and continues his professional career as a midfielder for New Mexico United, where he wears jersey number 6.
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