Pakistan U17 Captain Abdul Samad Signs with European Giants Qarabağ FK

Pakistan football has achieved a massive milestone as U17 national team captain Abdul Samad has officially signed a two-year contract with Azerbaijani powerhouse Qarabağ FK.

Samad signed a two-year contract with Qarabağ FK, becoming only the second Pakistani youth player to sign for a European club. He will initially represent the club's U17 and U19 teams, where he will continue his development and adapt to European football.

Earlier this year, Samad's big chance came when he played against Azerbaijan's U17 and U20 national teams. His impressive performances caught the attention of local scouts, who invited him for a one-week trial with Qarabağ FK. During the trial, he proved he had the quality to compete in European football, earning himself the historic contract.

Samad’s move to Europe comes after many years of hard work. He joined POPO FC back in 2017 as a young child and spent eight years learning the game in their youth system. The club proudly describes him as a humble, hardworking, and mentally strong person who always gives his best on and off the field.

Over time, Samad became a key player for Pakistan’s youth teams. He is a natural leader who has captained both the Pakistan U17 and U20 national teams. On the field, Samad mainly plays as a central midfielder (CM), where he helps control the game. However, he is very flexible and has also played on the wings for the Pakistan U20 team. He is clearly a serious threat in the attack too, having scored 6 goals for the U17 side. POPO FC is very proud of him and hopes his journey inspires other kids.

Who are Qarabağ FK?

Qarabağ FK, known as "The Horsemen," is the most successful football club in Azerbaijan, having won 11 Azerbaijan Premier League titles and 8 Azerbaijan Cups. The club has consistently represented Azerbaijan in European competitions and, in the 2025–26 season, qualified for the UEFA Champions League league phase, competing against some of Europe's biggest clubs. This achievement further strengthened Qarabağ's reputation as one of the strongest teams in the region and the country's leading representative on the European stage.

As Abdul Samad Khan begins this exciting new chapter in Azerbaijan, we wish him the absolute best of luck. Seeing a Pakistani player take such a big step in Europe is a proud moment for football fans all across the country. We hope he continues his hard work, learns a lot in the youth academy, and eventually earns a well-deserved spot on the Qarabağ FK senior team. The whole nation will be cheering for his success as he works to make his dreams a reality.