Daniel José Naim Kuri (; born 22 January 1999), known as Daniel Lajud (), is a professional footballer who plays as a winger or attacking midfielder for Liga de Expansión MX club Piratas. Born in Mexico, he has played for the Lebanon national team.
Coming through the youth system, Lajud began his senior career with Monterrey, scoring on his Liga MX debut in 2018. He was sent on loan to fellow Liga MX clubs Querétaro and Puebla in 2019, before moving to Liga de Expansión MX side Tampico Madero in 2020, with whom he won the Guardianes 2020. After a one-season spell at Raya2, Monterrey's reserve team, Lajud left Monterrey for Atlante in 2022, winning the Apertura 2022 and Clausura 2024. Lajud spent two seasons in Europe, at Panetolikos in Greece and Roda JC in the Netherlands, before returning to Mexico in 2026 at Piratas.
Club career Monterrey and loans Lajud joined Monterrey's youth academy in 2014, progressing through their under-15, under-17 and under-20 teams. He registered to Monterrey's senior team in the Clausura 2018 Copa MX, making his competitive debut on 20 February 2018, in a 2–1 win against Dorados. Lajud made his league debut in the Liga MX on 20 October 2018 in a 2–1 win against Toluca; he was substituted in during the 72nd minute and scored the winning goal in the 84th minute.
In January 2019, Lajud was sent on loan to Querétaro in the Liga de Expansión MX, and then to Puebla six months later. In January 2020, Lajud moved to Tampico Madero on loan, with whom he won the Guardianes 2020. During the 2021–22 season, Lajud played for Raya2, Monterrey's reserve team in the Liga de Expansión MX. He was released by Monterrey in summer 2022.
Atlante On 28 June 2022, Lajud joined Atlante. He made his debut two days later as a starter in a 3–0 home win against Atlético La Paz; after the end of the match, Lajud proposed to his girlfriend. On 13 July, Lajud scored his first goal for Atlante in a 3–1 win against Cancún. He scored consecutive braces in a 5–0 win against Tlaxcala and a 2–2 draw against Cimarrones de Sonora, on 5 and 8 September, respectively. After defeating Celaya in the final, Layun helped Atlante win the Apertura 2022.
In the first matchday of the Clausura 2023, Lajud scored a brace against Alebrijes de Oaxaca in a 4–0 win on 5 January 2023. He scored another brace on 31 January, helping his side win 3–0 against Mineros de Zacatecas. Atlante eventually finished semi-finalists of the Clausura 2023. Lajud scored 13 goals in 39 games during the 2022–23 season.
In the 2023–24 season, Lajud scored eight goals in 36 games, helping Atlante finish runners-up in the Apertura 2023 and champions of the Clausura 2024.
Panetolikos On 2 August 2024, Lajud signed a two-year contract with Super League Greece club Panetolikos. His contract was terminated by mutual consent on 12 August 2025, after having played 27 games in the 2024–25 season.
Roda JC On 14 August 2025, Lajud signed for Eerste Divisie club Roda JC, on a two-year contract with the option for a third. On 2 September 2026, his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Piratas Lajud returned to Mexico on 9 September 2026, signing for Piratas during the 2026–27 Liga de Expansión MX season. On 3 October 2026, Lajud scored a brace in a 4–0 win over Alebrijes de Oaxaca.
International career On 19 September 2022, he obtained a Lebanese passport in order to play for the Lebanon national team. Lajud was first called up by coach Aleksandar Ilić ahead of Lebanon's friendly fixture against Kuwait in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 19 November 2022. He made his debut as a starter, with the match ending in a 2–0 defeat.
In December 2023, Lajud was included in the Lebanese squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
Style of play Mainly a left winger, Lajud can also play as an attacking midfielder. He is known for his speed and powerful mid-range shooting.
Personal life Lajud is of Lebanese descent through his father, and holds Mexican, Lebanese, and Spanish citizenship. His brother, Rodrigo, is also a footballer.
On 30 June 2022, following his debut for Atlante, Lajud proposed to his girlfriend at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, the club's home stadium.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMonterrey B2014–15Tercera División de México195——195Monterrey Premier2017–18Serie A de México153——153Monterrey2017–18Liga MX0020—202018–19Liga MX1184—952019–20Liga MX———002020–21Liga MX———002021–22Liga MX00——00Total1110400115Querétaro (loan)2018–19Liga MX3041—71Puebla (loan)2019–20Liga MX1030—40Tampico Madero (loan)2020–21Liga de Expansión MX386——386Raya2 (loan)2021–22Liga de Expansión MX252——252Atlante2022–23Liga de Expansión MX3913——39132023–24Liga de Expansión MX368——368Total752100007521Panetolikos2024–25Super League Greece27010—280Roda JC2025–26Eerste Divisie702010100Piratas2026–27Liga de Expansión MX42——42Career total214402051023545
International
+Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsLebanon202220202330202480202530Total160
Honours Tampico Madero Liga de Expansión MX: Guardianes 2020
Atlante Liga de Expansión MX: Apertura 2022, Clausura 2024
See also List of Lebanon international footballers born outside Lebanon
Notes
References
External links