(February 1, 2021) Albuquerque, NM – New Mexico United is thrilled to announce the signing of central midfielder Micheal Azira ahead of the 2021 USL Championship season. Azira, a native of Kampala, Uganda, brings a championship winning-pedigree with him to New Mexico, having lifted four trophies over his professional playing career.
“Michael is a player I’ve been wanting to work with for a number of years, and I’m incredibly excited to finally get the chance this season,” said New Mexico United Head Coach and Technical Director Troy Lesesne. “He brings an incredible amount of experience, first class mentality, and he will add a different dimension to our central midfield.”
In addition to an incredibly successful on-the-pitch career, Azira’s off-the-pitch work has benefited countless Ugandan youth. In 2020, Azira launched the Azira Micheal Youth Foundation, using football as a tool to promote education in Uganda.
In 2012, Azira won the USL Pro title with Charleston Battery. Two years later, he lifted the MLS Supporter’s Shield and US Open Cup as a member of the Seattle Sounders. In 2019, Azira won the Canadian Cup with the Montreal Impact.
In addition to his impressive domestic career, Azira has been a key member of the Ugandan National Team since 2016 – playing in World Cup qualifiers and the African Cup of Nations.
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About New Mexico United
New Mexico United, the state’s first professional soccer franchise, brings the most popular sport in the world home to the Land of Enchantment. Fueled by a passion for community, New Mexico United’s promise is to provide a platform that brings New Mexicans together for a unique sporting experience, celebrating the unity and excitement inherent in world-class soccer.
About USL
The USL is one of the most successful professional soccer leagues in the world, reaching a population of more than 84 million and fueling the growth of the game across North America. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, the USL provides unparalleled club support with a growing team of more than 50 professionals across 17 departments, ranging from operations to marketing, communications, and sponsorship. The USL has a national media partnership with ESPN, wherein all league matches are broadcast on ESPN+, ESPN3 and across linear channels. The league also operates USL Productions, which includes a state-of-the-art facility that produces and distributes more than 500 league matches and more than 1,000 hours of original content to national partners, local affiliates and international markets throughout the 2018 season.
(February 1, 2021) Albuquerque, NM – New Mexico United is thrilled to announce the signing of central midfielder Micheal Azira ahead of the 2021 USL Championship season. Azira, a native of Kampala, Uganda, brings a championship winning-pedigree with him to New Mexico, having lifted four trophies over his professional playing career.
“Michael is a player I’ve been wanting to work with for a number of years, and I’m incredibly excited to finally get the chance this season,” said New Mexico United Head Coach and Technical Director Troy Lesesne. “He brings an incredible amount of experience, first class mentality, and he will add a different dimension to our central midfield.”
In addition to an incredibly successful on-the-pitch career, Azira’s off-the-pitch work has benefited countless Ugandan youth. In 2020, Azira launched the Azira Micheal Youth Foundation, using football as a tool to promote education in Uganda.
In 2012, Azira won the USL Pro title with Charleston Battery. Two years later, he lifted the MLS Supporter’s Shield and US Open Cup as a member of the Seattle Sounders. In 2019, Azira won the Canadian Cup with the Montreal Impact.
In addition to his impressive domestic career, Azira has been a key member of the Ugandan National Team since 2016 – playing in World Cup qualifiers and the African Cup of Nations.
###
About New Mexico United
New Mexico United, the state’s first professional soccer franchise, brings the most popular sport in the world home to the Land of Enchantment. Fueled by a passion for community, New Mexico United’s promise is to provide a platform that brings New Mexicans together for a unique sporting experience, celebrating the unity and excitement inherent in world-class soccer.
About USL
The USL is one of the most successful professional soccer leagues in the world, reaching a population of more than 84 million and fueling the growth of the game across North America. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, the USL provides unparalleled club support with a growing team of more than 50 professionals across 17 departments, ranging from operations to marketing, communications, and sponsorship. The USL has a national media partnership with ESPN, wherein all league matches are broadcast on ESPN+, ESPN3 and across linear channels. The league also operates USL Productions, which includes a state-of-the-art facility that produces and distributes more than 500 league matches and more than 1,000 hours of original content to national partners, local affiliates and international markets throughout the 2018 season.
