Updated through December 12, 2020
Columbus (2020): Adi has made 11 regular-season appearances (one start at forward). The forward made his Crew SC regular-season debut as a substitute for Gyasi Zardes on Opening Match against New York City FC (March 1). Adi also made two substitute appearances in the MLS is Back Tournament Group Stage matches, featuring against the New York Red Bulls* (July 16) and against Atlanta United* (July 21). In total, Adi made three appearances throughout the MLS is Back Tournament, including a substitute appearance in the Round of 16 match against Minnesota United FC (July 28). He made a substitute appearance at forward during both the home match against Chicago Fire FC (August 20) and on the road at New York City FC (August 24). The veteran forward made substitute appearances on the road at FC Cincinnati (August 29) and at home against Philadelphia Union (September 2) before making his first Crew SC start at home against FC Cincinnati (September 6). Adi made a substitute appearances on the road at Chicago Fire FC (September 12), at home against the Montreal Impact (October 7) and on the road against FC Cincinnati (October 14).
* MLS is Back Tournament Group Stage matches counted towards the 2020 MLS regular season
2018-2019 (Cincinnati): After joining FC Cincinnati midway through the 2018 season, Adi made nine regular-season appearances in the USL Championship, scoring three goals and helping Cincinnati win the 2018 USL Regular-Season Championship. He made 12 regular-season appearances (seven starts) for FC Cincinnati during the 2019 MLS season, scoring one goal.
2014-2018 (Portland): During his time with the Timbers, Adi scored 51 goals and provided 14 assists in 126 regular-season appearances. The forward played a key role in guiding Portland to winning MLS Cup and the Western Conference Championship in 2015. Notably, Adi was twice named the Timbers’ Golden Boot Winner, leading the team with 16 strikes – a single-season career-high for the forward – in both the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Adi also made seven appearances in Concacaf Champions League action during his tenure with the Portland Timbers, scoring four goals.
Prior to his time in MLS, Adi plied his trade in Europe for six years, featuring for several teams including FC Copenhagen of Denmark’s First Division (2013-2014); two stints with AS Trencin of Slovakia’s topflight (2009-2011, 2012-2013); as well as Ukranian First Division sides SC Tavriya Simferopol (2011-2012), FC Dynamo Kyiv (2011) and FC Metalurh Donetsk (2011). Internationally, Adi has represented Nigeria at the Under-23 level, earning two caps in 2011.
INTERNATIONAL: Adi spent time in the Nigerian youth system with the Under-23 national team, last appearing in 2011. Adi was later called up to the full Nigeria national team for Africa Cup of Nations qualifying in March 2016, but did not make an appearance.
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC acquires forward Fanendo Adi from Major League Soccer’s Waiver List on January 27, 2020.
Name: Fanendo Adi (FA-nen-doe AH-dee)
Position: Forward
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 185
Born: October 10, 1990 in Lagos, Nigeria
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Citizenship: Nigeria
Acquired: Acquired by Crew SC on January 27, 2020
Previous Experience: FC Cincinnati (2018-2019), Portland Timbers (2014-2018), FC Copenhagen (2013-2014), AS Trencin (2012-2013), SC Tavriya Simferopol (2011-2012), FC Dynamo Kyiv (2011), FC Metalurh Donetsk (2011), AS Trencin (2009-2011)
