NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 13, 2023) – Nashville Soccer Club announced today that former defender Jalil Anibaba has joined the organization as the team’s official club ambassador. Anibaba becomes the first club ambassador in Nashville SC history.
“It is so great to have Jalil rejoin our NSC family,” said Ian Ayre, Nashville SC CEO. “Jalil represents the first of our former players to come back to the club in a business role. His experience in our sport, our league, our club and our community make him the perfect ambassador for Nashville SC. Knowing how popular Jalil was as a team member and with our fans makes me feel sure he will quickly re-establish himself here and we could not be more excited about this appointment.”
As part of his responsibilities, Anibaba will play an influential role in the club’s community efforts in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. During his playing career in Music City, Anibaba was instrumental in supporting the club’s community relations department in a variety of areas. He is also a co-founder of Black Players for Change, serving as an executive board member for the organization.
“The years I spent in Nashville as a player were so special to me and my family that I always had my heart set on returning,” said Anibaba. “Truthfully, I couldn’t have imagined being welcomed back through such a warm embrace from the club. Playing the sport you love for a living is a blessing unmatched, while the opportunity to transition directly into your off-the-field passions is just not how it happens for a lot of athletes. I am exactly where I should be, doing exactly what I was called to do. For that, I am extremely grateful.”
Anibaba will also play a creative content role for Nashville SC’s social and digital channels as well as for the newly launched MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app. The former defender will also bring his analysis into the booth as color commentator for the club’s radio broadcast.
During 12 seasons in Major League Soccer, Anibaba spent two of those in Music City and was a foundational piece for Nashville SC’s early success in MLS. He was on the inaugural roster and helped the locker-room advance to back-to-back Eastern Conference Semifinal appearances in 2020 and 2021 while serving as an alternate captain.
Throughout his MLS career, Anibaba was a two-time Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup winner and a Supporters Shield winner, who appeared in 245 MLS regular season matches after being selected by Chicago Fire FC as the ninth overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, presented by adidas.
