Haji Wright
Full nameHaji Amir Wright[1]
Birth dateMarch 27, 1998 (age 28)
Birth placeLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Height6.3 ft (1.93 metres)[1]
PositionForward, winger
CurrentclubCoventry City
Clubnumber11
Youthyears 12012–2015
Youthclubs 1LA Galaxy
Youthyears 22016–2017
Youthclubs 2Schalke 04
Years 12015
Clubs 1New York Cosmos
Caps 13
Goals 10
Years 22017–2019
Clubs 2Schalke 04 II
Caps 222
Goals 214
Years 32017–2019
Clubs 3Schalke 04
Caps 37
Goals 31
Years 42017–2018
Clubs 4→ SV Sandhausen (loan)
Caps 415
Goals 41
Years 52019–2020
Clubs 5VVV-Venlo
Caps 522
Goals 50
Clubs 6Sønderjyske
Years 62020–2022
Caps 629
Goals 611
Clubs 7→ Antalyaspor (loan)
Years 72021–2022
Caps 732
Goals 714
Clubs 8Antalyaspor
Years 82022–2023
Caps 828
Goals 815
Clubs 9Coventry City
Years 92023–
Caps 9111
Goals 944
Nationalyears 12013
Nationalteam 1United States U15
Nationalcaps 110
Nationalgoals 12
Nationalyears 22013–2015
Nationalteam 2United States U17
Nationalcaps 234
Nationalgoals 227
Nationalyears 32014–2015
Nationalteam 3United States U18
Nationalcaps 35
Nationalgoals 32
Nationalyears 42016
Nationalteam 4United States U19
Nationalcaps 42
Nationalgoals 40
Nationalyears 52019
Nationalteam 5United States U23
Nationalcaps 52
Nationalgoals 50
Nationalyears 62022–
Nationalteam 6United States
Nationalcaps 620
Nationalgoals 67
Club-update04:11, May 2, 2026 (UTC)
Nationalteam-updateNovember 18, 2025

Haji Amir Wright (born March 27, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward or winger for club Coventry City and the United States national team.

After making his professional debut with the New York Cosmos in 2015, he has spent most of his career in Europe, with Schalke 04 in the German Bundesliga, VVV-Venlo in the Dutch Eredivisie, SønderjyskE in the Danish Superliga and Antalyaspor in the Turkish Süper Lig.

Wright made his senior debut for the United States national team in 2022 and played at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Youth soccer

Known for his finishing, ability to win headers, and quickness,[2] Wright was dubbed by many media outlets as one of the top prospects in the United States youth system.[3][4] His success with the under-17 national team prompted him to train with Schalke 04's academy.[5]

Club career

New York Cosmos

In March 2015, Wright officially signed with NASL club New York Cosmos for an undisclosed fee and contract length.[6] He made his professional debut on May 27 in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, as a 79th-minute substitute for Sebastián Guenzatti in a 3–0 home win over the Jersey Express, and then played three league games for a total of 80 minutes, starting with the game versus Indy Eleven on July 26.[7] Wright's contract expired following the season, and he did not re-sign.[8]

Schalke 04

In April 2016, Wright signed with Schalke 04.[9] In his debut with the Schalke under-19 team on April 16, Wright scored a brace against Borussia Mönchengladbach U19.

Wright was promoted to the Schalke first team in May 2017.[10] He was named on the bench against FC Ingolstadt 04 on May 20, 2017.[11] In July 2018, Wright underwent a trial period with 2. Bundesliga club Union Berlin.[12] On November 24, 2018, Wright made his debut for Schalke first team when he replaced Steven Skrzybski in the 88th minute of the 5–2 win against 1. FC Nürnberg.[13] He played seven games for the team from Gelsenkirchen, all in the league, and scored a consolation goal in a 2–1 home loss to Bayer Leverkusen on December 19; the goal was assisted by compatriot Weston McKennie.[14]

VVV-Venlo

In July 2019, Wright joined VVV-Venlo on a free transfer.[15] He played 22 Eredivisie games without scoring, but scored in the first round of the KNVB Cup on October 30; coming on in the last minute, he tied the game at 2–2 at fourth-tier RKSV Groene Ster, but missed the decisive attempt in a penalty shootout defeat.[16]

SønderjyskE

In August 2020, Wright joined SønderjyskE on a free transfer.[17] He got off to a strong start in the league, with six goals in eight appearances by early November, and his performances led to him being named as the Danish Superliga Player of the Month for October 2020.[18]

In July 2021, Wright wanted to move on from SønderjyskE and failed to report back for pre-season training.[19] On July 21, Turkish club Antalyaspor confirmed that they had signed Wright on loan from SønderjyskE with an option to buy.[20] However, later on the same day, SønderjyskE went out and denied that the deal had gone through because they had not yet received any payment.[21] However, on July 28, SønderjyskE confirmed that he had been loaned out to Antalyaspor for the 2021–22 season and also signed a new deal with Sønderjyske until June 2024.[22]

Antalyaspor

Wright opened his account for Antalyaspor in his third game on August 28, 2021, in which he scored a hat-trick in a 3–2 home win over Çaykur Rizespor, concluding with a penalty kick in the tenth minute of added time.[23] He scored 14 goals in 31 games in the 2021–22 Süper Lig, including eight over seven consecutive games, and nine in the last ten games.

On July 19, 2022, Wright signed for Antalyaspor permanently on a three-year deal.[24] He scored 16 goals in all competitions for the club as they finished 13th in the Süper Lig.[25]

Coventry City

Wright joined EFL Championship club Coventry City on August 4, 2023, on a four-year contract for a club-record transfer fee of €9 million.[26] On August 12, 2023, he scored his first goal for the club on his home debut in a 3–0 win against Middlesbrough.[27] On March 16, 2024, Wright converted a 100th minute stoppage time goal for Coventry in the quarter-finals of the 2023–24 FA Cup against Wolverhampton Wanderers, helping the club progress beyond the round for the first time since Coventry's 1986–87 FA Cup victory.[28] In the semi-final against Manchester United at Wembley Wright scored a 95th minute equalizing penalty to complete a comeback from 3–0 down and take the game to extra time. He then provided an assist for a 121st minute goal by Victor Torp, but this was disallowed by VAR for offside and Coventry were eliminated on penalties.[29] He finished the 2023–24 season with 19 goals in all competitions, including 16 in the Championship.[30]

Wright scored his first goals of the 2024–25 season against Oxford United in a 3–2 win on August 16, including an injury time winner after an error by Will Vaulks.[31] During a 2–2 draw against Sunderland on November 9, Wright picked up an ankle ligament injury, which kept him out of action for four months.[32] On March 15, Wright scored a hat-trick against Sunderland in a 3–0 victory for Coventry, these were his first goals since returning from injury, and it was also his first hat-trick for the club.[33] He scored a second hat-trick on February 16, 2026 in a crucial 3–1 home win over Middlesbrough.[34]

International career

Wright is of Liberian and Ghanaian descent. He has represented the United States at all levels.[35] In May 2022, Wright was called into the United States senior camp by Gregg Berhalter for a CONCACAF Nations League window.[36]

Wright scored his first international goal on his senior debut for the United States on June 1, 2022, in a 3–0 friendly victory against Morocco.[37] In November 2022, Wright was named to the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[38] He scored for the United States in their 3–1 loss to the Netherlands in the round of 16.[39]

On March 17, 2024, Wright was called up to the national team as an injury replacement for Josh Sargent to compete in the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.[40] On March 21, he scored an extra-time brace against Jamaica in a 3–1 win.[41]

Personal life

Haji's brother Hanif played on the under-19 team of Bonner SC in 2017.[42] Haji's cousins are also active in athletics: Joseph Putu played cornerback for the Florida Gators,[43] his second cousin, Isaac Nana Addai, played for the Liberia national under-23 team as well as Boston City FC, and his third cousin, Joseph Addai, won Super Bowl XLI in 2007 with the Indianapolis Colts.[44]

Career statistics

Club

[45]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup[a]League cup[b]ContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
New York Cosmos2015NASL3010———40
Schalke 042016–17[46]Bundesliga00————00
2018–19[47]Bundesliga71————71
Total710000000071
SV Sandhausen (loan)2017–182. Bundesliga151————151
Schalke 04 II2018–19Oberliga Westfalen2214————2214
VVV-Venlo2019–20Eredivisie22011———231
SønderjyskE2020–21Danish Superliga291172—1[c]0—3713
Antalyaspor (loan)2021–22Süper Lig321431———3515
Antalyaspor2022–23Süper Lig281511———2916
Coventry City2023–24[48]Championship44165310——5019
2024–25[49]Championship2712—20—2[d]03112
2025–26[50]Championship40171021——4318
Total111456351002012449
Career total269101198511020296110
  1. ^ Includes U.S. Open Cup, KNVB Cup, Danish Cup, Turkish Cup, FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearance in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs

International

[51]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
United States202272
202300
202482
202553
Total207
Scores and results list United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Wright goal.
List of international goals scored by Haji Wright
No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1June 1, 2022TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, United States1Morocco3–03–0Friendly
2December 3, 2022Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar7Netherlands1–21–32022 FIFA World Cup
3March 21, 2024AT&T Stadium, Arlington, United States8Jamaica2–13–12024 CONCACAF Nations League Finals
43–1
5June 15, 2025PayPal Park, San Jose, United States17Trinidad and Tobago5–05–02025 CONCACAF Gold Cup
6October 14, 2025Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, United States19Australia1–12–1Friendly
72–1

Honors

Coventry City

New York Cosmos

United States

Individual

References

  1. ^ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: List of players: United States". FIFA. November 15, 2022. p. 31. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "LA Galaxy's Haji Wright leads list of 7 MLS Academy players called to US U-17 national team". MLS Soccer. MLSSoccer.com. April 1, 2014. Archived from the original on June 24, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  3. ^ Davis, Noah (February 4, 2015). "Haji Wright and the Next Big Thing: Should the USMNT Be Getting More From Its Under-17 Team?". Grantland. Grantland.com. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  4. ^ "The Wright stuff for USA?". FIFA. FIFA.com. February 27, 2015. Archived from the original on March 2, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  5. ^ Parchman, Will. "Haji Wright on the precipice of Europe". Top Drawer Soccer. TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  6. ^ "Cosmos Sign Striker Haji Wright". New York Cosmos. NYCosmos.com.
  7. ^
  8. ^ "Cosmos Announce First Roster Moves Following Championship 2015 Season". New York Cosmos.
  9. ^ "Spielberechtigung für Haji Wright ist da" (in German). schalke04.de. April 16, 2016. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  10. ^ "Schalke promote American duo McKennie and Wright to senior squad". bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  11. ^ "Ingolstadt vs. Schalke 04 – 20 May 2017 – Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com
  12. ^ "Haji Wright trains with Union first-team". 1. FC Union Berlin. July 10, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  13. ^ "Schalke 04 vs. Nürnberg 5 – 2". Soccerway. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  14. ^ "American Haji Wright nets first goal for Schalke". Bundesliga. December 19, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  15. ^ "Haji Wright joins VVV Venlo". Schalke 04. July 12, 2019.
  16. ^ "Amateurs Groene Ster zorgen voor enorme stunt tegen eredivisionist VVV" [Amateurs Groene Ster provide a huge shock against Eredivisie team VVV] (in Dutch). NOS. October 30, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  17. ^ Henry jr., Larry (August 2, 2020). "Haji Wright joins Danish Superliga side Sonderjyske". SBI Soccer. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  18. ^ "Haji Wright er Månedens Spiller i oktober" (in Danish). Superligaen. November 9, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  19. ^ "SE-direktør om Wright: Går imod trup og stab". bold.dk. July 20, 2021.
  20. ^ Bekræftet: Tyrkisk klub lejer SE's Haji Wright, bold.dk, July 21, 2021
  21. ^ SE er uenig: Wright-handel er ikke på plads, bold.dk, July 21, 2021
  22. ^ SØNDERJYSKE FORLÆNGER OG UDLEJER HAJI WRIGHT, soenderjyske.dk, July 28, 2021
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  24. ^ "Haji Wright transfers to Antalyaspor, gets 3-year deal". San Diego Tribune. July 19, 2022.
  25. ^ "2022–2023 Sezonu Spor Toto Süper Lig Fikstürü ve Puan Cetveli TFF". www.tff.org. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  26. ^ "TRANSFER: Haji Wright joins Coventry City". ccfc.co.uk
  27. ^ "Sky Blues brush Boro aside despite Hamer departure". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  28. ^ Stone, Simon (2024-03-16). "Wolves 2–3 Coventry: Haji Wright scores 100th-minute winner in FA Cup classic". BBC. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  29. ^ "FA Cup semi-final: Man Utd survive stunning Coventry comeback to win on penalties". BBC Sport. 2024-04-20. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  30. ^
  31. ^ "Coventry score 96th-minute winner against Oxford Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  32. ^ "Sky Blues striker Wright to miss Sheff Utd game". BBC Sport. November 22, 2024. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  33. ^ "Wright hat-trick for Coventry sinks Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  34. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cze03ypy54et
  35. ^ "SønderjyskE Rejects €1.3m Bid From Malmo FF for American-Liberian Haji Wright | Liberia Public Radio". February 21, 2021.
  36. ^ "Berhalter Calls 27 Players For June Training Camp And Final Home Matches Before 2022 FIFA World Cup". ussoccer.com. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  37. ^ "United States vs Morocco"
  38. ^ "Berhalter Names 26 Player USMNT Roster For 2022 FIFA World Cup". ussoccer.com
  39. ^ "'Can't tell if lucky or intentional': US star scores 'accidentally excellent' goal that defies physics". Fox Sports. December 4, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  40. ^ "BRENDEN AARONSON AND HAJI WRIGHT ADDED TO USMNT ROSTER FOR 2024 CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE FINALS". United States Soccer Federation. 2024-03-13. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  41. ^ "U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM ADVANCES TO 2024 CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE FINAL WITH 3–1 SEMIFINAL WIN OVER JAMAICA". United States Soccer Federation. 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  42. ^ "Americans Overseas: January Transfer Triumph". BeIN Sports. February 14, 2017.
  43. ^ "Joseph Putu, a war refugee for six years, overcame long odds to reach Florida". SecCountry.com
  44. ^ "Addai comes from a very athletic family including his cousin, Joseph Addai, an NFL running back and Super Bowl winner. Haji Wright". Santa Clara Broncos. February 7, 2017. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  45. ^ "Haji Wright » Club matches". WorldFootball.net
  46. ^ "Haji Wright | Football Stats | Coventry City | Season 2016/2017 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  47. ^ "Haji Wright | Football Stats | Coventry City | Season 2018/2019 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
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  52. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cn9qppjg5yxt
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  54. ^ "Reyna, Pulisic head up Nations League Finals Best XI". CONCACAF. March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  55. ^ "See who made the EFL Team of the Season lineups". EFL. 19 April 2026. Retrieved 19 April 2026.