Araz Abdullayev

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Araz Abdullayev

| image = Araz Abdullayev (Azeri footballer).jpg

| caption = Abdullayev in national team training in 2017

| fullname = Araz Abdulla oğlu Abdullayev{{Cite web|url=http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=25908|title = Araz Abdullayev, international footballer (born )}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|4|18|df=y}}

| birth_place = Baku, Azerbaijan

| height = {{height|m=1.80|precision=0}}

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = Qaradağ Lökbatan

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Neftchi Baku

| years1 = 2008–2011

| clubs1 = Neftchi Baku

| caps1 = 33

| goals1 = 2

| years2 = 2011–2012

| clubs2 = Everton

| caps2 = 0

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2011

| clubs3 = → Neftchi Baku (loan)

| caps3 = 8

| goals3 = 3

| years4 = 2012

| clubs4 = → Panionios (loan)

| caps4 = 8

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2012–2016

| clubs5 = Neftchi Baku

| caps5 = 123

| goals5 = 23

| years6 = 2017–2018

| clubs6 = Gabala

| caps6 = 9

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2017–2018

| clubs7 = → Anorthosis (loan)

| caps7 = 30

| goals7 = 3

| years8 = 2018–2020

| clubs8 = Panionios

| caps8 = 0

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2018–2020

| clubs9 = → Qarabağ (loan)

| caps9 = 29

| goals9 = 3

| years10 = 2020–2021

| clubs10 = Boluspor

| caps10 = 24

| goals10 = 2

| years11 = 2021–2022

| clubs11 = Ethnikos Achna

| caps11 = 13

| goals11 = 0

| years12 = 2022

| clubs12 = Sumgayit

| caps12 = 23

| goals12 = 1

| years13 = 2023

| clubs13 = Llapi

| caps13 = 5

| goals13 = 0

| years14 = 2024

| clubs14 = Zira

| caps14 = 3

| goals14 = 0

| years15 = 2024–

| clubs15 = Qaradağ Lökbatan

| caps15 = 8

| goals15 = ?

| nationalyears1 = 2006–2008

| nationalteam1 = Azerbaijan U17

| nationalcaps1 = 9

| nationalgoals1 = 2

| nationalyears2 = 2008–2009

| nationalteam2 = Azerbaijan U19

| nationalcaps2 = 8

| nationalgoals2 = 2

| nationalyears3 = 2008–2013

| nationalteam3 = Azerbaijan U21

| nationalcaps3 = 8

| nationalgoals3 = 3

| nationalyears4 = 2008–

| nationalteam4 = Azerbaijan

| nationalcaps4 = 40

| nationalgoals4 = 3

| club-update = 11 February 2025

| nationalteam-update = 14 September 2020

| totalcaps = 304

| totalgoals = 34

}}

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

Career

=Club=

==Early years==

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.{{cite news

| title = Araz Abdullayev: "Başqa klublardan da təklif almışam"

| url = http://fanat.az/?mod=view&id=15159

| publisher = FANAT.AZ

| date = 2010-02-10

| access-date = 2010-07-05

| language = az}}

In November 2011, Neftchi Baku celebrated its 1000th goal, which is scored by Araz Abdullayev.{{cite web|title=2011-ci ilin sirrini APASPORT açdı – EKSKLÜZİV – STATİSTİKA|url=http://apasport.az/xeber_2011-ci_ilin_sirrini_APASPORT_a%C3%A7d%C4%B1_%EF%BF%BD_EKSKL%C3%9CZ%C4%B0V_-_STAT%C4%B0ST%C4%B0KA_54539.html|work=APASPORT.az|access-date=30 December 2011|language=az|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513130037/http://apasport.az/xeber_2011-ci_ilin_sirrini_APASPORT_a%C3%A7d%C4%B1_%EF%BF%BD_EKSKL%C3%9CZ%C4%B0V_-_STAT%C4%B0ST%C4%B0KA_54539.html|archive-date=13 May 2012|url-status=dead}}

==Everton==

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.{{cite news

| title = Everton agree deal for Azerbaijan teenager

| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/8786712.stm

| publisher = BBC Sport

| date = 2010-07-04

| access-date = 2010-07-05| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100707091614/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/8786712.stm| archive-date= 7 July 2010 | url-status= live}} 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.{{cite web|title=Everton agree deal to sign Neftchi Baku starlet Araz Abdullayev|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/09/21/2129252/everton-agree-deal-to-sign-neftchi-baku-starlet-araz|publisher=goal.com|access-date=21 September 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100923221554/http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/09/21/2129252/everton-agree-deal-to-sign-neftchi-baku-starlet-araz| archive-date= 23 September 2010 | url-status= live}} 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 was not revealed and allowed him to play for the Neftchi until Azerbaijan Premier League's end.{{cite web|title=Араз Абдуллаев – игрок Эвертона, но сезон проведет в Нефтчи|url=http://www.azerisport.com/football/20110107013712512.html|publisher=Azerisport.com|access-date=7 January 2011}}{{cite web|title=Araz Abdullayevin "Everton"a gedəcəyi gün dəqiqləşdi |url=http://apasport.az/news.php?id=41763 |publisher=Apasport.az |access-date=7 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109090532/http://apasport.az/news.php?id=41763 |archive-date=9 January 2011 }}{{cite web|title=David Moyes targets Azerbaijani wonderkid Araz Abdullayev for Everton FC |date=8 January 2011|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc/everton-fc-news/2011/01/08/david-moyes-targets-azerbaijani-wonderkid-araz-abdullayev-for-everton-fc-100252-27951299/|access-date=8 January 2011}} 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.{{cite tweet|user=Everton|author=Everton|number=91889008266842112|date=15 July 2011|title=#everton v Freiberg: Davies, Browning, Mustafi, Duffy, Bidwell, Forshaw, Abdullayev, Lundstram, Baxter, Vellios, Silva.}}

===Loan to Panionios===

On 27 December 2011, Abdullayev joined Panionios on a season-long loan.{{cite news| title = Араз Абдуллаев перешел в Паниониос| url = http://azerisport.com/articles.php?item_id=20111227023935600&sec_id=2| publisher = Azerisport.com| date = 27 December 2011| access-date = 2011-12-31}} He debuted in friendly match on 30 December 2011, against Koropi, Abdullayev played 61 minutes in the starting lineup, Panionios won 3–2.{{cite news| title = Araz Abdullayev's debut in Panionios FC| url = http://today.az/news/sports/100508.html| publisher = Today.az| date = 30 December 2011| access-date = 2011-12-31}} Abdullayev made his Greece Superleague debut for Panionios in a 2–0 home victory against Asteras Tripoli on 3 January 2012.{{Cite news |title=PANIONIOS VS. ASTERAS TRIPOLIS 2 – 0|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/01/03/greece/super-league/panionios-nfc/asteras-tripolis/1214510/|publisher=Soccerway|date=3 January 2012}}

==Return to Neftchi==

File:Araz Abdullayev 2014.jpg 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.[https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2009906--partizan-vs-neftci/ 2012–13 UEFA Europa League group stage matches, UEFA.com] 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.[https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2014730--neftci-vs-koper/ 2014–15 UEFA Europa League, Second qualifying round matches, UEFA.com] He scored 3 goals in 25 matches during the club's European matches.

==Gabala==

On 31 December 2016, Abdullayev signed a two-year contract with Gabala.{{cite web|title=Gabala signed Araz Abdullayev from national senior team|url=http://gabalafc.az/eng/news/gabala-signed-araz-abdullayev-from-national-senior-team-2934|website=gabalafc.az|publisher=Gabala FC|access-date=31 December 2016|date=31 December 2016}} 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.{{Cite news |title=KAPAZ VS. QABALA 1 – 1|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/02/28/azerbaijan/premyer-liqa/fk-ganja/fk-qabala/2350579/|publisher=Soccerway|date=28 February 2017}}

===Loan to Anorthosis===

On 12 August 2017, Anorthosis announced the signing of Abdullayev on a season-long loan deal.{{cite web|title=Σύναψη συνεργασίας με Αράζ Αμπτουλάγιεφ|url=https://anorthosisfc.com.cy/2017/08/sinapsi-sinergasias-me-araz-amptoulagief/|website=anorthosisfc.com|publisher=Anorthosis Famagusta FC|access-date=12 August 2017|language=el|date=12 August 2017}} 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.{{Cite news |title=NEA SALAMIS VS. ANORTHOSIS 1 – 1|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/08/20/cyprus/1-division/nea-salamina-famagusta/anorthosis-famagusta-fc/2502604/|publisher=Soccerway|date=20 August 2017}} 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.{{Cite news |title=ANORTHOSIS VS. AEL 1 – 1|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/11/25/cyprus/1-division/anorthosis-famagusta-fc/ael-limassol/2502683/|publisher=Soccerway|date=25 November 2017}}

==Panionios==

On 7 July 2018, Abdullayev signed a two-year contract with Superleague side Panionios.{{Cite news |title=Araz bu gün "Panionios"la müqavilə bağlayacaq|url=http://korner.az/yunanlar-yazir-araz-bu-gun-panioniosla-muqavilə-baglayacaq/|publisher=korner.az|date=6 July 2017}}

===Loan to Qarabağ===

On 31 August 2018, Qarabağ FK announced the signing of Abdullayev on a two-year loan deal.{{cite web|title=ARAZ ABDULLAYEV "QARABAĞ"IMIZDA !|url=https://qarabagh.com/az/news/araz-abdullayev-qarabagimizda/11356|website=qarabagh.com|publisher=Qarabağ FK|access-date=31 August 2018|language=az|date=31 August 2018}}

==Boluspor==

On 15 September 2020, Abdullayev signed a 1+1 year contract with Turkish club Boluspor.{{cite web|title=Araz Abdullayev ile 1+1 yıllık anlaşma sağlandı|url=https://boluspor.org.tr/haberler/araz-abdullayev-ile-iki-yillik-anlasma-saglandi|website=qarabagh.com|publisher=Qarabağ FK|access-date=15 September 2020|language=tr|date=15 September 2020|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924042819/http://boluspor.org.tr/haberler/araz-abdullayev-ile-iki-yillik-anlasma-saglandi|url-status=dead}}

==Sumgayit==

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.{{cite web |title="Sumqayıt" FK Araz Abdullayevi heyətinə cəlb edib |url=https://sfc.az/?s=xeber&id=6227 |website=sfc.az/ |publisher=Sumgayit FK |access-date=16 January 2022 |language=Azerbaijani |date=15 January 2022}}

==Zira==

On 24 March 2024, Zira announced the signing of free agent Abdullayev on a contract until the end of the season.{{cite web |title=Zira agreed with a new player. Araz Abdullayev joined our team. |url=https://www.facebook.com/fc.zire/posts/pfbid02juFM9MFBERdyR8FshyVc4DvtZrPjPfGoq5ZPaGHefK9QNXayQ6aGHvndzLHZQskWl |website=facebook.com/fc.zire/ |publisher=Zira FK Facebook |access-date=3 April 2024 |date=24 March 2024}}

==Qaradağ Lökbatan==

In October 2024, Abdullayev signed for Azerbaijan First League club Qaradağ Lökbatan.{{cite web |title=Hardan hara... |url=https://www.instagram.com/_futbol_mekani___/p/DBJ4RfTsRz9/ |website=instagram.com/_futbol_mekani___/ |publisher=futbol mekani Instagram |access-date=11 February 2025 |language=Azerbaijani |date=15 October 2024}}

International

File:Araz Abdullayev.jpg 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.{{cite news | title = Araz Abdullayev yığmada yeni rekord müəyyənləşdiribа | url = http://fanat.az/index.php?mod=view&id=3495 | publisher = FANAT.AZ | language = az | date = 2008-10-13 | access-date = 2010-02-18}}

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.{{Cite news |title=QATAR VS. AZERBAIJAN 1 – 2|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/03/09/world/friendlies/qatar/azerbaijan/2409135/|publisher=Soccerway|date=9 March 2017}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 12 May 2018}}{{cite web|title=A.Abdullayev|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/araz-abdullayev/65969/|website=soccerway.com|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=31 December 2016}}

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="5" valign="center"\|Neftchi Baku \|2008–09 \|rowspan="4" valign="center"\|Azerbaijan Premier League \|5	1	0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	5	1
2009–10 \|10	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	11	0
2010–11 \|18	1	2	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	20	1
2011–12 \|8	3	0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	8	3
colspan="2"\|Total !41	5	3	0	0	0	—	—	44	5
valign="center"\|Panionios (loan) \|2011–12 \|Superleague Greece \|8	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	9	0
rowspan="6" valign="center"\|Neftchi Baku \|2012–13 \|rowspan="5" valign="center"\|Azerbaijan Premier League \|27	4	6	1	11	0	colspan="2"\|—	44	5
2013–14 \|29	6	5	2	2	0	1	0	37	8
2014–15 \|30	4	6	0	6	1	colspan="2"\|—	42	5
2015–16 \|26	6	6	1	2	2	colspan="2"\|—	34	9
2016–17 \|11	3	2	0	4	0	colspan="2"\|—	17	3
colspan="2"\|Total !123	23	25	4	25	3	—	—	173	30
rowspan="3" valign="center"\|Gabala \|2016–17 \|rowspan="2" valign="center"\|Azerbaijan Premier League \|9	0	2	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	11	0
2017–18 \|0	0	0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0
colspan="2"\|Total !9	0	2	0	0	0	—	—	11	0
valign="center"\|Anorthosis (loan) \|2017–18 \|Cypriot First Division \|30	3	3	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	33	3
colspan="3"\|Career total !211	28	34	4	25	3	1	0	269	35

=International=

Year	Apps	Goals
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! colspan=3 \| Azerbaijan national team
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{{NFT player|id=27884|name=Araz Abdullayev|accessdate=31 December 2016}}

=International goals=

:Scores and results list Azerbaijan's goal tally first.

class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%;" ! No !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
1.	9 March 2017	Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar	{{fb\|QAT}}	align=center \| 2–1	align=center \| 2–1	Friendly
2.	4 September 2017	Bakcell Arena, Baku, Azerbaijan	{{fb\|SMR}}	align=center \| 2–0	align=center \| 5–1	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.	14 October 2018	Baku Olympic Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan	{{fb\|MLT}}	align=center \| 1–1	align=center \| 1–1	2018–19 UEFA Nations League D