Elman Tagaýew (born June 2, 1989 in Kyzyl-Arvat) is a Turkmen professional football midfielder of Azerbaijani descent. He plays for ÃÂokary Liga club FC Ahal and the Turkmenistan national team.
Tagaýew was born in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to an Azerbaijani family. He began playing football at eight years old. In 2014, he married his wife Arina. In 2015, they had two twin sons named Alan and Ali.
Tagaýew started his career at Aà Âgabat before going on trial with Khazar Lankaran in early 2012. During his trial with Khazar Lankaran he appeared as a substitute, and scored, against Turkmenistan. Khazar declined to sign Tagaýew due to the players attitude during a game. Tagaýew went on to sign for AZAL in the summer of 2012, but only made 8 appearances before leaving in March 2013.
In June 2017, Tagayev signed a one-year contract with newly-promoted Azerbaijan Premier League team SÃÂbail FK. Tagayev was released by Sabail FK at the end of the 2017âÂÂ18 season.
Elman Tagaýew played for the Turkmenistan national under-23 football team at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
Tagaýew's first international goal came against Nepal in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup group stage. As part of the national team of Turkmenistan, he became the finalist of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.
Statistics accurate as of match played 18 November 2025
Turkmenistan
Individual