Baboucarr
Njie

LAST SEASON

Baboucarr Njie came to Hartford Athletic halfway through the 2025 season and wasted no time making his mark. The 30-year-old became a reliable presence in the wingback position for the rest of the season, making 20 appearances with 12 starts and logging 1,052 minutes. Defensively, Njie added 27 clearances, three blocks and nine interceptions. He also won 17 of 34 tackles, 93 of 174 duels and 13 of 28 aerial duels, proving he was willing to fight for every ball. On the offensive side, he provided 12 key passes and 30 crosses (enough for fourth on the team). Although none of his offensive efforts led to assists, Njie did contribute eight shots, four shots on target and one goal over the remainder of the season. 

In the Jägermeister Cup, Njie made appearances in all three remaining games after signing with Hartford, even earning a start and 80 minutes of action in the club’s semifinal match against Greenville Triumph. In addition to completing 79% of his passes, Njie also provided nine final third entries and five crosses to help create chances on offense.

USL EXPERIENCE

Njie’s professional debut saw him sign with Atlanta United 2 in 2020. He made 11 appearances with the club and racked up 623 minutes. At the beginning of the 2021 season, the 6’1” outside back signed with the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, where he remained for one year and made 26 appearances, added one goal and one assist, and logged 1,181 minutes. The next year, Njie moved to nearby Arizona to compete for the Phoenix Rising. There, he made 30 appearances, scored one goal, added two assists and logged 1,979 minutes during the 2022 season. Njie stayed with Phoenix Rising for half of the 2023 season, before signing with Oakland Roots during the midseason transfer window. He made seven appearances during the rest of the 2023, but 2024 saw Njie really find his stride. The Serrekunda, The Gambia native made 30 appearances, netted two goals, contributed four assists and tallied 1,983 minutes with the California side. He began the 2025 season with Oakland Roots before joining the Boys in Green at the end of July.

OUTSIDE THE USL

At the collegiate level, Njie played three seasons with North Carolina Wesleyan College (2016, 2017, 2019). He spent 2018 with the North Carolina FC U23 development squad, before returning to Wesleyan for his junior season. Across three years with the Battling Bishops, he made 57 appearances, tallied 34 goals and provided 19 assists. In 2019, Njie was named USA South Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference and was selected as a DIII First Team All-American after scoring 15 goals and adding seven assists to lead Wesleyan to the East Division Title with a 12-1 conference record. 

Njie has also represented his native The Gambia at the international level, earning three caps since his debut in 2024 in an Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier against Comoros. 

HONORS & AWARDS

• TOTW, Week 15 (2024)
• All-Conference First Team (2019)
• Player of the Year for the USA South Athletic Conference (2019)
• USA South Rookie of the Year honors (2016)