FC Barcelona signs first Azerbaijani player in club history

For the first time in its storied history, Spanish football powerhouse FC Barcelona has signed a contract with an Azerbaijani player.

According to domestic media, the Catalan club announced the signing on its official social media platforms, confirming that Ibrahim Babayev will join Barcelona’s U17 youth squad. Before this milestone transfer, Babayev honed his skills at the Swiss club Servette FC, where he earned recognition as a rising talent.

The official signing ceremony was attended by Joan Soler Ferre, a member of Barcelona’s board and the club’s youth football director, alongside José Ramón Alexanco, a renowned Spanish footballer and four-time national champion with Barcelona.

Founded in 1899, FC Barcelona is one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, widely celebrated for its iconic style of play and commitment to developing young talents through its famed La Masia academy, which has produced legends such as Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andrés Iniesta. By securing Babayev, Barcelona continues its tradition of scouting and nurturing promising international prospects.

This historic signing marks a new chapter for Azerbaijani football, as Babayev becomes the first Azerbaijani player ever to wear Barcelona’s colours, a milestone that could inspire a new generation of players from the country.

By Tamilla Hasanova