Şamaxı FK

Şamaxı
Full nameŞamaxı Futbol Klubu
NicknameŞirlər (The Lions)
Founded1997; 29 years ago (1997), as Khazar University
GroundShamakhi City Stadium
Capacity2,176
Chairman of the BoardElchin Usub
ManagerAykhan Abbasov
LeagueAzerbaijan Premier League
2024–25Azerbaijan Premier League, 7th of 10
Websitewww.shamakhifc.az

Şamaxı Futbol Klubu (pronounced [ʃɑmɑˈxɯ], lit. 'Shamakhi Football Club') is an Azerbaijani professional football club based in Shamakhi, which competes in the Azerbaijan Premier League. The club has won the Premier League title twice.[1] Previously the club was known as Xəzər Universiteti FK (1999–2004), İnter Bakı PİK (2004–2017) and Keşlə FK (2017–2022).

History

Early years (1997–2004)

The club has been functioning since 1997, initially as an amateur side that shared its name with Khazar University, the first private university in Azerbaijan, which founded the club. In 1999, Khazar University began to play in the Azerbaijan Premier League, finishing eleventh.[2] In subsequent years, Inter finished in 7th place (2000/01 season) and 3rd place (2003–04 season).

In the 2003–04 season, the team finished in fourth place, thereby qualifying for the UEFA Intertoto Cup for the first time. In the first round of the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup, they defeated Bregenz of Austria 3–0 on a forfeiture in the first leg, and 2–1 in the second leg.[3] In the second round, they played Tampere United of Finland, losing the first leg 0–3; winning the return leg, played in Baku, 1–0; but going out on aggregate 1–3.[4]

The Double and Tskhadadze years (2004–2014)

UEFA Champions League 2008–2009 Qualifying match in Skopje, Macedonia; FK Rabotnicki (Macedonia) – Inter Baku (Azerbaijan) 1–1

In the summer of 2004, all rights of the Khazar University club were transferred to the newly created Inter Baku Professional Football Club, and the team participated in the 13th championship of the Azerbaijani Premier League under the name of Inter Baku. Later in 2004, certain structural changes were made in the club's management, and Inter Baku was renamed the Inter Professional Club, finishing the 2004–2005 season in seventh place. Inter's progression up the standings continued in the 14th iteration of the Azerbaijan Premier League when Inter finished in fourth place.

The club finished fourth again in 2006–07, and first in 2007–08. Following its championship season, Inter qualified for its first-ever appearance in the UEFA Champions League in 2008 and advanced to the second qualifying round by defeating Rabotnički of the Republic of Macedonia on away goals.[5]

2009 saw Inter Baku retain the Azerbaijan Premier League title, securing it for the second time in the club's history. The club's Champions League campaign was less successful – losing to Lech Poznań away on penalties.[6] In 2011, Inter Baku also managed to win the CIS Cup after defeating Shakhtyor Soligorsk in the final.[7][8]

In 2012, the club recorded an Azerbaijani record for the biggest win in a European competition by beating Narva Trans 5–0 in Estonia.[9] The club had started the 2013–14 season with a three-game losing streak, setting a record for worst start to a season in its history.[10] However, the team managed to clinch second spot in the league.[11]

Downturn and financial difficulties of Inter Baku (2015–2017)

During the 2015–16 season, Inter started experiencing financial difficulties at the same time with its main sponsor, The International Bank of Azerbaijan. In December 2015, the club's president, Georgi Nikolov was replaced by Rashad Gasimov. On 31 March 2016, Inter Baku were banned from participating in the next UEFA club competition that they would qualify for in the next three seasons, covering the 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons.[12]

The situation continued during the 2016–17 season as Inter struggled to pay salaries to its players and make new transfers. Despite that, Inter was able to claim the bronze medal in the national championship and reach the semi-finals stage in the Cup. At the end of the season, IBA announced that it would no longer sponsor the club, and this led to new changes in the administration. Zaur Akhundov, former director of the National Futzal Federation, was appointed as the head of the supervisory board and Ramish Maliyev became the new executive director of the club. Despite the rumors about the liquidation, Inter was able to find sponsorship for the 2017–18 season and play in the Europe League, where it eliminated Serbian Mladost Lučani in the first qualifying round before getting eliminated by Fola Esch in the second round.

Keşlə FK (2017–2022)

On 28 October 2017, Inter Baku PIK officially changed its name to Keşlə FK.[13] The club also replaced its logo and jersey colors. In its first match, Keşlə lost 0–2 against Kapaz. The next day, the team's manager Zaur Svanadze was replaced by Ramiz Mammadov.[14] On 25 December 2017, Keşlə announced that Mammadov had become the club's Sporting Director, with Yuriy Maksymov coming in as the club's new manager.[15] On 17 July 2018, Maksymov was sacked,[16] and Mladen Milinković appointed the new manager on 25 July 2018.[17] On 29 October 2018, Milinković was sacked as manager,[18] with Tarlan Ahmadov being appointed as his replacement on 30 October 2018.[19] On 8 August 2020, Ahmadov left Keşlə.[20]

On 16 August 2020, Keşlə announced Yunis Huseynov's appointment as the new manager.[21] On 24 January 2021, Huseynov resigned;[22] Sanan Gurbanov was appointed the club's new manager on 25 January 2021.[23]

Şamaxı FK (2022–present)

On 6 April 2022, the Azerbaijan Premier League approved the name change of Keşlə FK to Şamaxı FK.[24]

Domestic history

Team nameSeasonLeagueAzerbaijan CupTop goalscorer
Div.Pos.Pl.WDLGSGAPNameLeague
Xəzər Universiteti1999–20001st11th2253141941181/8 FinalsAzerbaijan Samir Alakbarov7
2000–011st7th209292638291/8 FinalsAzerbaijan R. Nasibov8
2001–021st6th221138332436Semi-finals
2002–03Season was not played
2003–041st4th2615654316511/8 FinalsGeorgia (country) A. Sokhadze6
İnter Bakı2004–051st7th341996442466Runner-upAzerbaijan Elshan Mammadov10
2005–061st4th261484351450Quarter-finalsNigeria Lucky Idahor6
2006–071st4th241365361245Semi-finalsAzerbaijan Samir Aliyev6
2007–081st1st261844551858Runner-upAzerbaijan Khagani Mammadov19
2008–091st2nd261871541661Runner-upUruguay Walter Guglielmone17
2009–101st1st3222128583778Semi-finalsLithuania Robertas Poškus12
2010–111st5th3213109292449Runner-upLithuania Robertas Poškus5
2011–121st3rd321688292156Semi-finalsGeorgia (country) Bachana Tskhadadze7
2012–131st3rd321697382257Quarter-finalsGeorgia (country) Bachana Tskhadadze8
2013–141st2nd362079603767Quarter-finalsAzerbaijan Vagif Javadov16
2014–151st2nd3217123552063Semi-finalsSpain Mikel Álvaro9
2015–161st4th3616119392859Semi-finalsAzerbaijan Nizami Hajiyev
Azerbaijan Mirsahib Abbasov		6
2016–171st3rd2811107393343Semi-finalsAzerbaijan Rauf Aliyev11
Keşlə2017–181st6th288713293931WinnerAzerbaijan Pardis Fardjad-Azad
Romania Adrian Scarlatache
Azerbaijan Slavik Alkhasov		4
2018–191st8th286517294523Quarter-finalsAzerbaijan Amil Yunanov
Togo Jonathan Ayité		5
2019–201st3rd20866272130Quarter-finalsParaguay Lorenzo Frutos6
2020–211st6th2851112254026WinnerAzerbaijan Azer Salahli5
Şamaxı2021–221st7th285716254922Quarter-finalsBrazil Felipe Santos6
2022–231st10th3641319265225Semi-finalsAzerbaijan Amil Yunanov7
2023–242nd1st1692196022571/8 finals
2024–251st7th3699183246361/8 finals

European history

As of match played 29 July 2021
CompetitionPldWDLGFGA
UEFA Champions League613235
UEFA Europa League2712873729
UEFA Europa Conference League200227
UEFA Intertoto Cup430164
Total391611124845

Stadium

Shamakhi City Stadium

Shamakhi's home ground is Shamakhi City Stadium, which has a capacity of 2,200.[25]

Shirt sponsor and kit manufacturer

YearsManufacturerSponsor
2004–2011AdidasIBA
2011–2015Umbro
2015–2017Joma
2017–2022Samaya LTD
2022–2023none
2023–2024Kirpi Tekstil
2024–Joma

Players

Azerbaijani teams are limited to nine players without Azerbaijani citizenship. The squad list includes only the principal nationality of each player; several non-European players on the squad have dual citizenship with an EU country.

Current squad

As of 10 March 2025 [26]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
1GK PORRicardo Fernandes
3DF UKRVladyslav Veremyeyev
4DF BRACésar
5DF AZEArsen Agjabayov
6DF BRAAntónio Lara
7MF AZEEdqar Adilkhanov
8MF TANAlphonce Msanga
9FW SUIKarim Rossi
10MF ROUAndrei Tîrcoveanu
11MF PORDiogo Balau
13MF PORRicardo Apolinario
14DF AZERavil Qafarov
No.Pos. NationPlayer
17MF AZERafael Maharramli
19MF NGAAbdullahi Shuaibu
21MF AZEBilal Ismayılov
24DF AZESanan Muradli (on loan from Sumgayit)
27MF AZEEmil Suleymanov (on loan from Gabala)
44DF BRADavid Oliveira
62GK AZEAbdulla Seyidahmadov
80MF AZEHabib Ismayilov
82DF AZERufat Abbasov
97MF AZEOruj Mammadov
99GK AZESalim Hashimov (on loan from Zira)

For recent transfers, see List of Azerbaijan football transfers summer 2024 and List of Azerbaijan football transfers winter 2024–25.

Club officials

Management

PositionStaff
Chairman of the BoardAzerbaijan Elchin Usub
General ManagerAzerbaijan Kamran Ismayılov
Press secretaryAzerbaijan Yusif Huseynov

Coaching staff

PositionName
Head coachAzerbaijan Aykhan Abbasov
Assistant coachAzerbaijan Elnur Chodarov
Azerbaijan Khayal Garayev
Azerbaijan Vusal Garayev
Azerbaijan Jeyhun Rzayev
Goalkeeping coachAzerbaijan Kamil Gafarov

Records

Top goalscorers

As of match played 22 May 2022
Bachana Tskhadadze is the clubs top goal scorer in history.
NameYearsLeagueAzerbaijan CupEuropeTotal
1Georgia (country) Bachana Tskhadadze2011–201536 (116)10 (20)6 (11)47 (147)
2Azerbaijan Nizami Hajiyev2007–2008
2010–2013
2014–2017		28 (139)4 (22)4 (16)36 (177)
3Uruguay Walter Guglielmone2007–200928 (44)4 (?)1 (3)33 (47+)
4Azerbaijan Khagani Mammadov2007–200922 (35)3 (?)0 (5)25 (40+)
5Lithuania Robertas Poškus2009–201117 (49)3 (5+)0 (2)20 (46+)
5Paraguay César Meza2013–2015, 2016
2018, 2019–2021		10 (86)8 (18)2 (2)20 (106)
5Azerbaijan Vagif Javadov2013–2014
2018–2020		17 (52)2 (7)1 (5)20 (64)
8Azerbaijan Rauf Aliyev2016–201712 (36)3 (5)2 (10)17 (51)
9Latvia Ģirts Karlsons2009–201510 (63)5 (7+)1 (2)16 (72+)
10Bulgaria Petar Zlatinov2008–201314 (107)0 (9+)1 (10)15 (126+)
Volodimir Levin is the club's most capped player.
Top Ten Players With Most Appearances
PlayerPeriodCapsGoals
1Azerbaijan Volodimir Levin2004–1320411
2Azerbaijan Asif Mammadov2008–10; 2011–20151187
3Georgia (country) Bachana Tskhadadze2010–201511747
4Georgia (country) Giorgi Lomaia2009–20161080
5Azerbaijan Arif Dashdemirov2010–2015985
6Bulgaria Petar Zlatinov2008–139710
7Georgia (country) Ilia Kandelaki2010–13753
8Azerbaijan Elmar Bakhshiev2004–07741
9Latvia Ģirts Karlsons2009–127336
10Czech Republic Bronislav Červenka2007–12725

Notable managers

Information correct as of match played 23 February 2019. Only competitive matches are counted.

NameNat.FromToPWDLGSGA%WHonoursNotes
Ismail Aliyev Azerbaijan19971998N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Samir Alakbarov Azerbaijan19992000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Boyukagha Aghayev Azerbaijan20012004N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A[27]
Anatoly Konjkov Ukraine20042006N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A[28]
Oleg Smolyaninov Russia20062006N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A[29]
Valentyn Khodukin Ukraine2006Jun 2009N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AAzerbaijan Premier League[29]
Kakhaber Tskhadadze GeorgiaJul 2009Jun 20152201116346301166050.45Azerbaijan Premier League
CIS Cup		[30]
Zaur Svanadze GeorgiaJun 201529 October 201794372829112109039.36
Ramiz Mammadov Azerbaijan29 October 201725 December 20177304210042.86
Yuriy Maksymov Ukraine25 December 201717 July 2018178632315047.06Azerbaijan Cup
Mladen Milinković Serbia25 July 2018[17]29 October 2018[18]8125712012.50
Tarlan Ahmadov Azerbaijan30 October 2018[19]8 August 2020[20]2365121519026.09
Yunis Huseynov Azerbaijan16 August 2020[21]24 January 2021[22]153571321020.00
Sanan Gurbanov Azerbaijan24 January 2021[23]000000!—
  • Notes:

P – Total of played matchesW – Won matchesD – Drawn matchesL – Lost matchesGS – Goal scoredGA – Goals against
%W – Percentage of matches won

Nationality is indicated by the corresponding FIFA country code(s).

Honours

National

Regional

References

  1. ^ "14 мгновений финала". Azerifootball.com. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  2. ^ "Arts, Sports & Events". Official Khazar University website. 2006. Archived from the original on 27 March 2008. Retrieved 23 June 2008.
  3. ^ "UEFA Intertoto Cup History Season 2004 First Round". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
  4. ^ "UEFA Intertoto Cup History Season 2004 Second Round". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 19 May 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
  5. ^ "Ventspils and Sheriff arrest losses". UEFA.com. 22 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
  6. ^ Kurowski, Dariusz. "Lech through after 22-penalty shoot-out". UEFA. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  7. ^ "Кубок Содружества у "Интера"!". Championat.ru. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  8. ^ "Azerbaijani football club Inter wins CIS Cup on penalties". Trend.az. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  9. ^ "Интер" победил, "Пюник" проиграл. UEFA (in Russian). Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  10. ^ ""İnter"dən 3-cü məğlubiyyət, "Qarabağ" yenidən zirvədə – YENİLƏNİB". Apasport.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  11. ^ Чемпионы тоже плачут. Azerisport.com (in Russian). Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  12. ^ "CFCB adjudicatory chamber orders". uefa.org. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  13. ^ "Peşəkar Futbol Liqasının məlumatı". pfl.az/ (in Azerbaijani). PFL. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Keşlə FK-nın məlumatı". keshlafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Keşlə FK. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  15. ^ "Müşahidə Şurasının iclası keçirildi". inter.az (in Azerbaijani). Keşlə FK. 25 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  16. ^ "Юрия Максимова назвали неадекватным и выгнали из "Кешли"". segodnya.ua (in Russian). Сегодня. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  17. ^ a b "Главным тренером ФК Кешля стал Милинкович". azerifootball.com (in Russian). Azerifootball. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  18. ^ a b "Keşlə FK-nın məlumatı". www.keshlafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Keşlə FK. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  19. ^ a b "Keşlə FK-ya yeni baş məşqçi təyin olundu". www.keshlafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Keşlə FK. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  20. ^ a b ""Keşlə" FK-nın məlumatı". keshlafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Keşlə FK. 8 August 2020.
  21. ^ a b ""Keşlə" Futbol Klubunun məlumatı". keshlafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Keşlə FK. 16 August 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Yunis Hüseynov istefa verib". keshlafc.az/ (in Azerbaijani). Keşlə FK. 24 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  23. ^ a b "Sənan Qurbanov "Keşlə"də!". keshlafc.az/ (in Azerbaijani). Keşlə FK. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  24. ^ "Peşəkar Futbol Liqasının məlumatı". pfl.az (in Azerbaijani). Azerbaijan Premier League. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  25. ^ "İlham Əliyev və birinci xanım Mehriban Əliyeva Şamaxı şəhər stadionunun açılışında iştirak ediblər". President.az (in Azerbaijani). 1 November 2021. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  26. ^ "Şamaxı FK - Squadra 2025". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  27. ^ Беюкага АГАЕВ:"Мы находимся в ожидании чего-то нового". extratime.az (in Russian). Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  28. ^ "Бывший тренер футбольного клуба "Интер" Анатолий Коньков будет прооперирован". Day.az (in Russian). Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  29. ^ a b Ibrahimov, Erkin. Ходукин возглавил "Интер". UEFA (in Russian). Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  30. ^ "Sxadadze 250-ə yaxınlaşdı". rekord.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  • Official Shamakhi FK website
  • Inter Baku at Weltfussball.de (archived)
  • Inter Baku at Soccerway
  • Dynamicsport.eu
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