FC Cincinnati have signed FC Cincinnati 2 defender and MLS SuperDraft 2026 selection Ayoub Lajhar (pronunciation: AYE-oob LA-shar) to a first-team contract through the 2026 MLS season, with club options for the 2027 and 2027-28 seasons. He has been added to the first-team roster and is eligible for selection for today’s match at Charlotte FC.
Lajhar, 21, had been added to the first-team roster three times this season via short-term agreement. Lajhar made his FC Cincinnati debut in Concacaf Champions Cup competition, coming on as a substitute against O&M FC in Round One where he contributed two assists in the 9-0 second leg win. He made his MLS debut at TQL Stadium against Red Bull New York on April 25, becoming the 11th SuperDraft selection in club history to appear in an MLS Regular Season game for FC Cincinnati.
Lajhar has appeared in each of the previous two matches for FC Cincinnati, coming on as a second-half substitute in wins over Red Bull New York (April 25) and Chicago Fire FC (May 2).Â
The former UConn standout was drafted 55th overall in MLS SuperDraft 2026 and in February signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract with FC Cincinnati 2, where he has contributed one assist in four appearances. Born in Dernah, Libya, Lajhar and his family moved to Vermont in 2017, where Lajhar starred at youth clubs in the New England region before earning a scholarship to UConn.
TRANSACTION: On May 9, 2026, FC Cincinnati sign defender Ayoub Lajhar to a contract through the 2026 MLS season, with club options for the 2027 and 2027-28 seasons.
#55 AYOUB LAJHAR
Pronunciation: AYE-oob LA-shar
Position: Defender
Hometown: Brattleboro, Vermont
Nationality: American
Birthday: July 10, 2004 (21)
College: University of Connecticut