KARACHI (Kashmir English): An Azerbaijan Club has signed Pakistan Under-17 football captain Abdul Samad Khan for two years.
The development shows Pakistan football beginning to show signs of recovery after a decade of administrative turmoil.
Young players are securing opportunities abroad following the Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) elections conducted by FIFA’s Normalisation Committee.
Years of internal disputes and legal battles deprived the nation of international competitions and domestic tournaments, stalling the development of a generation of football players. Recent developments, however, suggest the situation is improving.
In April, rookie striker Kaleemullah Junior signed for Turkish club Sariyer SK.
Now midfielder and Pakistan Under-17 captain Abdul Samad Khan has entered into a two-year deal with Azerbaijani champions Qarabag FK. The youth league is scheduled to begin in September.
Azerbaijan club Qarabag FK
Qarabağ Futbol Klubu is an Azerbaijani professional football club which currently competes in the Azerbaijan Premier League, the top flight of Azerbaijani football.
Samad, who hails from Manyar village in Swat district, plays for Islamabad-based Popo FC and said the move would help him develop as a player. “InshaAllah, this will be very supportive for me,” Samad told media.
Popo FC and former Pakistan head coach Shehzad Anwar, who facilitated the deal and accompanied Samad during the process, said exposure to a competitive environment would accelerate the youngster’s development.
Pakistan players previously also secured overseas opportunities when several senior internationals, including former Pakistan captain Kaleemullah, joined Kyrgyzstan club Dordoi Bishkek.
Kaleemullah later played in the United States, Turkey and other countries while several Pakistani footballers also featured in leagues in Bahrain and the Maldives.
