Araz Abdulla oÃÂlu Abdullayev (born 18 April 1992) is an Azerbaijani footballer who plays as a winger for Azerbaijani club Karvan and the Azerbaijan national team.
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. In November 2011, Neftchi Baku celebrated its 1000th goal, which is scored by Araz Abdullayev.
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. 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. 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. He returned to Everton for their 2011âÂÂ12 Premier League campaign and featured in Everton Reserves first friendly of the season against Freiburg in the 2011 Lev Yashin Cup.
On 27 December 2011, Abdullayev joined Panionios on a season-long loan. He debuted in friendly match on 30 December 2011, against Koropi, Abdullayev played 61 minutes in the starting lineup, Panionios won 3âÂÂ2. Abdullayev made his Super League Greece debut for Panionios in a 2âÂÂ0 home victory against Asteras Tripolis on 3 January 2012.
Abdullayev returned to Neftchi Baku in the summer of 2012 and soon became the main squad player. During the 2012âÂÂ13 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. 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 2013âÂÂ14 season and became a runner-up in 2014âÂÂ15 and 2015âÂÂ16 seasons, losing to Qarabaàin 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 2014âÂÂ15 UEFA Europa League. He scored 3 goals in 25 matches during the club's European matches.
On 31 December 2016, Abdullayev signed a two-year contract with Gabala. Abdullayev made his Azerbaijan Premier League debut for Gabala played 84 minutes in the starting lineup, in a 1âÂÂ1 away draw against Kapaz on 28 February 2017.
On 12 August 2017, Anorthosis announced the signing of Abdullayev on a season-long loan deal. Abdullayev made his Cypriot First Division debut for Anorthosis played 83 minutes in the starting lineup, in a 1âÂÂ1 away draw against Nea Salamis on 20 August 2017. He scored his first goal for Anorthosis in the Cypriot First Division match against AEL Limassol in a 1âÂÂ1 home draw on 25 November 2017.
On 7 July 2018, Abdullayev signed a two-year contract with Super League side Panionios.
On 31 August 2018, QarabaÃÂ FK announced the signing of Abdullayev on a two-year loan deal.
On 15 September 2020, Abdullayev signed a 1+1 year contract with Turkish club Boluspor.
On 15 January 2022, Abdullayev signed for Sumgayit on a contract until the end of the 2021âÂÂ22 season, with the option of an additional two-years.
On 24 March 2024, Zira announced the signing of free agent Abdullayev on a contract until the end of the season.
In October 2024, Abdullayev signed for Azerbaijan First League club QaradaàLökbatan.
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.
On 9 March 2017, he scored his first senior international goal for the Azerbaijan national football team, in a 2âÂÂ1 away win friendly match against Qatar in Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
Statistics accurate as of match played 8 September 2020
Neftchi Baku
QarabaÃÂ