Araz Abdulla oğlu Abdullayev (born 18 April 1992) is an Azerbaijani footballer who last plays as a winger for Azerbaijani club Zira and the Azerbaijan national team.

Araz Abdullayev
Abdullayev in national team training in 2017
Personal information
Full name Araz Abdulla oğlu Abdullayev[1]
Date of birth (1992-04-18) 18 April 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth Baku, Azerbaijan
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Zira
Number 17
Youth career
Neftchi Baku
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Neftchi Baku 33 (2)
2011–2012 Everton 0 (0)
2011Neftchi Baku (loan) 8 (3)
2012Panionios (loan) 8 (0)
2012–2016 Neftchi Baku 123 (23)
2017–2018 Gabala 9 (0)
2017–2018Anorthosis (loan) 30 (3)
2018–2020 Panionios 0 (0)
2018–2020Qarabağ (loan) 29 (3)
2020–2021 Boluspor 24 (2)
2021–2022 Ethnikos Achna 13 (0)
2022 Sumgayit 23 (1)
2023 Llapi 5 (0)
2024 Zira 3 (0)
International career
2006–2008 Azerbaijan U17 9 (2)
2008–2009 Azerbaijan U19 8 (2)
2008–2013 Azerbaijan U21 8 (3)
2008– Azerbaijan 40 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 September 2020

Career

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Club

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Early years

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Born in Baku, Abdullayev played for Neftchi Baku's youth team from January 2007 to December 2008. He made his first team debut for Neftchi on 5 October 2008.[2] In the November 2011, Neftchi Baku celebrated its 1000th goal, which is scored by Araz Abdullayev.[3]

Everton

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English Premier League club Everton agreed a deal on 4 July 2010 that gave them first option to sign Abdullayev over the next two years if a work permit could be attained.[4] On 21 September, it was announced that he will start on an initial three-year contract, with the option for two more seasons, when the transfer window opens in January 2011.[5] On 7 January 2011, it was announced that Everton signed long-term contract with Abdullayev subject to him being granted a work permit, even though the length of contract is not revealed and allowed him to play for the Neftchi until Azerbaijan Premier League's end.[6][7][8] He returned to Everton for their 2011–12 Premier League campaign and featured in Everton Reserves first friendly of the season against Freiburg in the 2011 Lev Yashin Cup.[9]

Loan to Panionios
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On 27 December 2011, Abdullayev joined Panionios on a season-long loan.[10] He debuted in friendly match on 30 December 2011, against Koropi, Abdullayev played 61 minutes in the starting lineup, Panionios won 3–2.[11] Abdullayev made his Greece Superleague debut for Panionios in a 2–0 home victory against Asteras Tripoli on 3 January 2012.[12]

Return to Neftchi

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Abdullayev with Neftchi Baku in 2014

Abdullayev returned to Neftchi Baku in the summer of 2012 and soon became the main squad player. During the 2012–13 season, he helped his team to become the first Azerbaijani team to advance to the group stage of UEFA Europa League. Neftchi was drawn in Group H alongside Internazionale, Rubin Kazan and Partizan. Araz made five appearances in the UEFA Europa League group stage. On 20 September 2012, Abdullayev made his debut in the UEFA Europa League group stage game against Partizan, entering as a substitute for Flavinho in the 78th minute.[13] The same season, Neftchi Baku won both the Azerbaijan Premier League and Azerbaijan Cup. Abdullayev won the National Cup with Neftchi once again in the 2013–14 season and became a runner-up in 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons, losing to Qarabağ in the final match both times. During the 4.5 years spent at Neftchi, Araz Abdullayev played a total of 173 games in all tournaments and scored 25 goals.

Araz scored his first European goal against Slovenian Koper in the second qualifying round of the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League.[14] He scored 3 goals in 25 matches during the club's European matches.

Gabala

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On 31 December 2016, Abdullayev signed a two-year contract with Gabala.[15] Abdullayev made his Azerbaijan Premier League debut for Gabala played 84 minutes in the starting lineup, in a 1–1 away draw against Kapaz on 28 February 2017.[16]

Loan to Anorthosis
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On 12 August 2017, Anorthosis announced the signing of Abdullayev on a season-long loan deal.[17] Abdullayev made his Cypriot First Division debut for Anorthosis played 83 minutes in the starting lineup, in a 1–1 away draw against Nea Salamis on 20 August 2017.[18] He scored his first goal for Anorthosis in the Cypriot First Division match against AEL Limassol in a 1–1 home draw on 25 November 2017.[19]

Panionios

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On 7 July 2018, Abdullayev signed a two-year contract with Superleague side Panionios.[20]

Loan to Qarabağ
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On 31 August 2018, Qarabağ FK announced the signing of Abdullayev on a two-year loan deal.[21]

Boluspor

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On 15 September 2020, Abdullayev signed a 1+1 year contract with Turkish club Boluspor.[22]

Sumgayit

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On 15 January 2022, Abdullayev signed for Sumgayit on a contract until the end of the 2021–22 season, with the option of an additional two-years.[23]

Zira

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On 24 March 2024, Zira announced the signing of free agent Abdullayev on a contract until the end of the season.[24]

International

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Abdullayev with Azerbaijan U21 in 2009

After a string of impressive performances at club level, Abdullayev was called up to Azerbaijan squad for the 2010 World Cup qualification match against Finland scheduled for 11 October 2008, which made him the youngest ever Azerbaijan international, making his debut at 16 years 4 months.[25]

On 9 March 2017, he scored his first senior international goal for the Azerbaijan national football team, in a 2–1 away win friendly match against Qatar in Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.[26]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 12 May 2018[27][28]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Neftchi Baku 2008–09 Azerbaijan Premier League 5 1 0 0 0 0 5 1
2009–10 10 0 1 0 11 0
2010–11 18 1 2 0 0 0 20 1
2011–12 8 3 0 0 0 0 8 3
Total 41 5 3 0 0 0 44 5
Panionios (loan) 2011–12 Superleague Greece 8 0 1 0 9 0
Neftchi Baku 2012–13 Azerbaijan Premier League 27 4 6 1 11 0 44 5
2013–14 29 6 5 2 2 0 1 0 37 8
2014–15 30 4 6 0 6 1 42 5
2015–16 26 6 6 1 2 2 34 9
2016–17 11 3 2 0 4 0 17 3
Total 123 23 25 4 25 3 173 30
Gabala 2016–17 Azerbaijan Premier League 9 0 2 0 0 0 11 0
2017–18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 9 0 2 0 0 0 11 0
Anorthosis (loan) 2017–18 Cypriot First Division 30 3 3 0 0 0 33 3
Career total 211 28 34 4 25 3 1 0 269 35

International

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Azerbaijan national team
Year Apps Goals
2008 2 0
2009 0 0
2010 1 0
2011 0 0
2012 0 0
2013 5 0
2014 6 0
2015 2 0
2016 4 0
2017 3 2
2018 8 1
2019 7 0
2020 2 0
Total 40 3

Statistics accurate as of match played 8 September 2020[28]

International goals

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Scores and results list Azerbaijan's goal tally first.[28]
No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 9 March 2017 Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar   Qatar 2–1 2–1 Friendly
2. 4 September 2017 Bakcell Arena, Baku, Azerbaijan   San Marino 2–0 5–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
3. 14 October 2018 Baku Olympic Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan   Malta 1–1 1–1 2018–19 UEFA Nations League D

Honours

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Neftchi Baku

Qarabağ

References

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  1. ^ "Araz Abdullayev, international footballer (born )".
  2. ^ "Araz Abdullayev: "Başqa klublardan da təklif almışam"" (in Azerbaijani). FANAT.AZ. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  3. ^ "2011-ci ilin sirrini APASPORT açdı – EKSKLÜZİV – STATİSTİKA". APASPORT.az (in Azerbaijani). Archived from the original on 13 May 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  4. ^ "Everton agree deal for Azerbaijan teenager". BBC Sport. 4 July 2010. Archived from the original on 7 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  5. ^ "Everton agree deal to sign Neftchi Baku starlet Araz Abdullayev". goal.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  6. ^ "Араз Абдуллаев – игрок Эвертона, но сезон проведет в Нефтчи". Azerisport.com. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  7. ^ "Araz Abdullayevin "Everton"a gedəcəyi gün dəqiqləşdi". Apasport.az. Archived from the original on 9 January 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  8. ^ "David Moyes targets Azerbaijani wonderkid Araz Abdullayev for Everton FC". 8 January 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
  9. ^ Everton [@Everton] (15 July 2011). "#everton v Freiberg: Davies, Browning, Mustafi, Duffy, Bidwell, Forshaw, Abdullayev, Lundstram, Baxter, Vellios, Silva" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "Араз Абдуллаев перешел в Паниониос". Azerisport.com. 27 December 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  11. ^ "Araz Abdullayev's debut in Panionios FC". Today.az. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  12. ^ "PANIONIOS VS. ASTERAS TRIPOLIS 2 – 0". Soccerway. 3 January 2012.
  13. ^ 2012–13 UEFA Europa League group stage matches, UEFA.com
  14. ^ 2014–15 UEFA Europa League, Second qualifying round matches, UEFA.com
  15. ^ "Gabala signed Araz Abdullayev from national senior team". gabalafc.az. Gabala FC. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  16. ^ "KAPAZ VS. QABALA 1 – 1". Soccerway. 28 February 2017.
  17. ^ "Σύναψη συνεργασίας με Αράζ Αμπτουλάγιεφ". anorthosisfc.com (in Greek). Anorthosis Famagusta FC. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  18. ^ "NEA SALAMIS VS. ANORTHOSIS 1 – 1". Soccerway. 20 August 2017.
  19. ^ "ANORTHOSIS VS. AEL 1 – 1". Soccerway. 25 November 2017.
  20. ^ "Araz bu gün "Panionios"la müqavilə bağlayacaq". korner.az. 6 July 2017.
  21. ^ "ARAZ ABDULLAYEV "QARABAĞ"IMIZDA !". qarabagh.com (in Azerbaijani). Qarabağ FK. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  22. ^ "Araz Abdullayev ile 1+1 yıllık anlaşma sağlandı". qarabagh.com (in Turkish). Qarabağ FK. 15 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  23. ^ ""Sumqayıt" FK Araz Abdullayevi heyətinə cəlb edib". sfc.az/ (in Azerbaijani). Sumgayit FK. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Zira agreed with a new player. Araz Abdullayev joined our team". facebook.com/fc.zire/. Zira FK Facebook. 24 March 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  25. ^ "Araz Abdullayev yığmada yeni rekord müəyyənləşdiribа" (in Azerbaijani). FANAT.AZ. 13 October 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  26. ^ "QATAR VS. AZERBAIJAN 1 – 2". Soccerway. 9 March 2017.
  27. ^ "A.Abdullayev". soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  28. ^ a b c "Araz Abdullayev". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
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