Age

29

Height

 5’11”

Number

6

Position

MID

A Berlin, Germany native, Gedion Zelalem joined the Black & Yellow ahead of the 2025 season, bringing experience from some of the highest levels of professional soccer in Europe and the United States. A dual citizen of the United States and Germany, Zelalem developed in the Arsenal FC system and has represented both countries at the youth international level. 

Zelalem spent six seasons in the Arsenal system after joining the English club as a teenager. He progressed through the academy before making his senior debut in an FA Cup match in 2014 and also appeared for Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League. During his time under contract with Arsenal, Zelalem gained additional experience on loan with Rangers FC in Scotland and VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands. 

With Rangers, Zelalem was part of the squad that captured the 2015-16 Scottish Championship and Scottish Challenge Cup. He later won the 2016-17 Eerste Divisie title with VVV-Venlo before returning to the United States, where he played for Sporting Kansas City and New York City FC. With NYCFC, Zelalem was part of the club’s 2021 MLS Cup-winning side and also added a Campeones Cup title to his résumé. He later returned to Europe, playing for FC Den Bosch in the Netherlands and NK Lokomotiva in Croatia before joining United. 

In his first season with New Mexico in 2025, Zelalem became a key figure in the club’s midfield. He appeared in 25 matches, made 20 starts and logged 1,671 minutes as United advanced to the Western Conference Final for the first time in club history. Following the season, Zelalem re-signed with New Mexico for the 2026 campaign. 

Across his professional career, Zelalem has made more than 210 appearances and logged more than 13,000 minutes. His experience includes competition in the UEFA Champions League and Concacaf Champions League and championship-winning spells in England, Scotland, the Netherlands and Major League Soccer. 

At the international level, Zelalem began representing Germany as a teenager before switching to the United States setup at age 18. He has made more than 25 combined youth international appearances and represented the United States at two FIFA U-20 World Cups.