In a move signaling their intent to rebuild a robust backline for the 2026 MLS season, Nashville SC have officially signed 24-year-old Ghanaian center-back Maxwell Woledzi from Norwegian Eliteserien side Fredrikstad FK.
The transfer, announced on December 2, 2025, comes at a reported fee of $1.5 million, with Woledzi penning a three-year deal through 2028 and an option for an additional year in 2029.
This acquisition marks Nashville’s first signing of the winter window and underscores their growing affinity for Scandinavian talent, following recent additions like Patrick Yazbek (from Viking FK) and Eddi Tagseth (from Rosenborg BK).
Woledzi, born in Accra, Ghana, rose through the prestigious Right to Dream Academy—a youth development program renowned for producing global talents such as Tottenham Hotspur’s Mohammed Kudus and former Nashville winger David Accam.
His early life was marked by resilience; as a child, he sold water on the streets to support his family, a story that highlights his grounded character and commitment to giving back.
Today, he supports initiatives like soccer programs for Muslim girls in Ghana, blending his on-field prowess with off-field impact.
Professionally, Woledzi’s European adventure began in 2019 when he joined FC Nordsjælland in Denmark’s Superliga, part of the Right to Dream network (which also links to the upcoming MLS expansion side San Diego FC).
Over three seasons, he logged 33 appearances, showcasing his composure and aerial dominance as a commanding 6’2″ defender. A brief stint with Vitória Guimarães B in Portugal’s lower divisions in 2022 followed, honing his technical skills.
His breakthrough came in 2023 upon signing with Fredrikstad FK on a deal until December 2026. In 88 appearances across all competitions, Woledzi became the linchpin of their defense, helping secure the 2024 Norwegian Football Cup—the club’s first in 18 years—and guiding them to a respectable sixth-place finish in the 2025 Eliteserien standings.
His individual accolades speak volumes: named to the Eliteserien Team of the Year in both 2024 and 2025, and crowned Fredrikstad’s Player of the Year for 2025 after 37 outings.
Scouts praise his progressive passing (elite ball-winning metrics at 8.3 per 90), quick recovery speed, and ability to carry the ball forward—traits that drew interest from Turkish clubs last summer and European sides this fall.
Nashville’s pursuit intensified in October 2025, when reports emerged of their initial bid, amid speculation of a potential vacancy left by captain Walker Zimmerman, a two-time MLS Defender of the Year whose contract expired and who has since entered free agency.
Woledzi’s market value hovers around €2.2 million, making this a shrewd investment for a player with one year left on his Fredrikstad deal.
Nashville SC president of soccer operations and general manager Mike Jacobs hailed the signing as a “tremendous” addition of a “player and leader.” With the team’s defense in transition—Zimmerman’s likely departure alongside uncertainties around goalkeeper Joe Willis—Woledzi slots in as a versatile, ball-playing center-back who can pair effectively with holdovers like Jack Maher or Taylor Washington.
Analysts note similarities to Jeisson Palacios (quick, line-breaking carries into midfield), but Woledzi’s youth and leadership edge position him as a long-term cornerstone.
This deal continues Nashville’s Scandinavian scouting pipeline, leveraging the region’s reputation for developing tactical, high-energy defenders.
For Woledzi, the move to MLS represents a step up in visibility and competition, potentially opening doors to Ghana’s Black Stars senior team, where he’s already featured at youth levels.