Azernews.Az

BAKU – Everton has signed a long-term contract with Araz Abdullayev, an Azerbaijani teenage footballer who plays for Neftchi Baku, the country’s leading soccer club, it was announced on Friday. The term and amount of the contract is not reported.

The 18-year-old midfielder is allowed to play for Neftchi until the end of Azerbaijan Premier League.

Neftchi’s Vice-President Tahir Suleymanov told a news conference after talks with the British club’s executives in Baku that Abdullayev could begin playing for Everton as early as this summer.

"We liked Araz Abdullayev, whom we saw play in the U-21 match between Azerbaijan and Scotland a year earlier. And we want to see this guy play for our team," Everton Secretary David Harrison said.

"It is hard to say when Araz will become part of the main squad. Everything is up to him and Neftchi as well. Abdullayev will join us in February for a two-week exercise. After that we will be able to ask the opinion of the club’s coach David Moyes."

Abdullayev scored a spectacular goal against Scotland during the mentioned match, which was played in March 2010.

John Murdock, another Everton official, spoke of the Azerbaijani player’s capabilities.

"Our club has a tradition to nurture its own players, which we have been successfully doing for the past fifteen years. But Araz has a good potential and he will be able to excel. He is only 18, so, let’s not rush him."

Abdullayev said he would do his best to succeed in the British club.

"I am delighted to have concluded a contract with a club like Everton. I will try to justify the expectations."

Abdullayev made his international debut in October 2008 to become his country's youngest international player.