- published: 07 Feb 2015
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Alejandro Bedoya (born April 29, 1987 in Englewood, New Jersey) is an American soccer player who plays as a attacking midfielder for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League and the United States national team.
Bedoya, of Colombian American descent, was born in Englewood, New Jersey and raised in Miami, Florida. His father, Adriano, played professional soccer in Colombia, as did his grandfather, Fabio. His brother Santiago Bedoya played at Northeastern University and was acquired by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft
Alejandro Bedoya attended and graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 2005 in Fort Lauderdale, where he helped the team capture a 5A Florida State Championship in 2005 as well as earning Player of the Year.
Bedoya played college soccer for Boston College and Farleigh Dickinson University, twice being nominated for the Hermann Trophy.
While college seniors often enter the MLS SuperDraft, Bedoya chose to explore options abroad. In late 2008, he signed a contract with Allsvenskan club Örebro and joined the club on January 7, 2009. On April 6, he made his debut for Örebro, coming on as a substitute for Nordin Gerzic in the 73rd minute. He scored his first goal for Örebro when he gave the team a 1–0 lead against Halmstads BK in the Swedish Cup. Over the course of the season, Bedoya worked his way into the starting line-up and became a mainstay at central midfield in Örebro's 4-3-3 formation. In February 2011, Bedoya was given a trial at English Premier League side Birmingham City, but was not signed.