Emil Balayev

Emil Nazim oglu Balayev (Azerbaijani: Emil Nazim oglu Balayev; born 17 April 1994) is an Azerbaijani footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Qarabag and the Azerbaijan national football team. He was selected as the footballer of the year in Azerbaijan in 2019.

Club Career

As a youth player Balayev was a member of Neftci youth system, before he was promoted to the first team in 2011. Balayev made his debut for Neftchi in an Azerbaijan Premier League match against Sumgayit in September 2012. In 2013 Balayev was sent on a season loan to Araz-Naxcivan.

Balayev moved from Neftci to Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2014. However, he failed to make an appearance for the club and was released in June 2016.

In January 2019, Balayev moved from Sabail to Kazakhstani club Tobol. He made his professional debut for Tobol in the Kazakhstan Premier League on 9 March 2019, starting in the home match against Irtysh Pavlodar, which finished as a 3–0 win. On 31 January 2020, Balayev left Tobol by mutual consent.

On 3 March 2020, Zira announced the signing of Balayev on a contract until the end of the 2019–20 season.

On 10 July 2020, Balayev signed a contract with Qarabag FK.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Эмиль Балаев (russian)