Shamakhi FK (Azerbaijani: Şamaxı Futbol Klubu, pronounced [ʃɑmɑˈxɯ]) is an Azerbaijani professional football club based in Shamakhi, that currently competes in the Azerbaijan First League. The club has won the Premier League title twice.[1]

Shamakhi FK
Full nameŞamaxı Futbol Klubu
Nickname(s)Şirlər (The Lions)
Founded1997; 27 years ago (1997), as Khazar University
GroundShamakhi City Stadium
Capacity2,200
Chairman of the BoardElchin Usub
ManagerAykhan Abbasov
LeagueAzerbaijan First League
2023–241st (promoted)
Websitewww.shamakhifc.az

History

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Early years (1997–2004)

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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)

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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 – barely 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)

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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.

Keshla FK (2017–2022)

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On 28 October 2017, Inter Baku PIK officially changed its name to Keshla FK.[13] The club also replaced its logo and jersey colors. In its first match, Keshla lost 0–2 against Kapaz. The next day, the team's manager Zaur Svanadze was replaced by Ramiz Mammadov.[14] On 25 December 2017, Keshla announced that Ramiz 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 as manager,[16] with Mladen Milinković being appointed as 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 Keşla.[20]

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

Shamakhi FK (2022–present)

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

Domestic history

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Season League Azerbaijan Cup Top goalscorer
Div. Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Name League
1999-00 1st 11th 22 5 3 14 19 41 18 1/8 Finals   Samir Alakbarov 7
2000–01 1st 7th 20 9 2 9 26 38 29 1/8 Finals   R. Nasibov 8
2003–04 1st 4th 26 15 6 5 43 16 51 1/8 Finals   A. Sokhadze 6
2004–05 1st 7th 34 19 9 6 44 24 66 Runner-up   Elshan Mammadov 10
2005–06 1st 4th 26 14 8 4 35 14 50 Quarter-finals   Lucky Idahor 6
2006–07 1st 4th 24 13 6 5 36 12 45 Semi-finals   Samir Aliyev 6
2007–08 1st 1st 26 18 4 4 55 18 58 Runner-up   Khagani Mammadov 19
2008–09 1st 2nd 26 18 7 1 54 16 61 Runner-up   Walter Guglielmone 17
2009–10 1st 1st 32 22 12 8 58 37 78 Semi-finals   Robertas Poškus 12
2010–11 1st 5th 32 13 10 9 29 24 49 Runner-up   Robertas Poškus 5
2011–12 1st 3rd 32 16 8 8 29 21 56 Semi-finals   Bachana Tskhadadze 7
2012–13 1st 3rd 32 16 9 7 38 22 57 Quarter-finals   Bachana Tskhadadze 8
2013–14 1st 2nd 36 20 7 9 60 37 67 Quarter-finals   Vagif Javadov 16
2014–15 1st 2nd 32 17 12 3 55 20 63 Semi-finals   Mikel Álvaro 9
2015–16 1st 4th 36 16 11 9 39 28 59 Semi-finals   Nizami Hajiyev
  Mirsahib Abbasov
6
2016–17 1st 3rd 28 11 10 7 39 33 43 Semi-finals   Rauf Aliyev 11
2017–18 1st 6th 28 8 7 13 29 39 31 Winner   Pardis Fardjad-Azad
  Adrian Scarlatache
  Slavik Alkhasov
4
2018–19 1st 8th 28 6 5 17 29 45 23 Quarter-finals   Amil Yunanov
  Jonathan Ayité
5
2019–20 1st 3rd 20 8 6 6 27 21 30 Quarter-finals   Lorenzo Frutos 6
2020–21 1st 6th 28 5 11 12 25 40 26 Winner   Azer Salahli 5
2021–22 1st 7th 28 5 7 16 25 49 22 Quarter-finals   Felipe Santos 6
2022–23 1st 10th 36 4 13 19 26 52 25 Semi-finals   Amil Yunanov 7

European history

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As of match played 29 July 2021
Competition Pld W D L GF GA
UEFA Champions League 6 1 3 2 3 5
UEFA Europa League 27 12 8 7 37 29
UEFA Europa Conference League 2 0 0 2 2 7
UEFA Intertoto Cup 4 3 0 1 6 4
Total 39 16 11 12 48 45

Stadium

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Shamakhi City Stadium

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

Shirt sponsor and kit manufacturer

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Years Manufacturer Sponsor
2004–2011 Adidas IBA
2011–2015 Umbro
2015–2017 Joma
2017–2022 Samaya LTD
2022–2023 none
2023–2024 Kirpi Tekstil
2024– Joma

Players

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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

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As of 25 December 2024

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. Nation Player
1 GK   POR Ricardo Fernandes
5 DF   AZE Arsen Agjabayov
6 MF   AZE Rauf Rustamli
8 MF   AZE Ilkin Muradov
9 FW   ALB Belajdi Pusi
10 MF   AZE Emin Zamanov
11 FW   BEL Jonathan Benteke
17 MF   AZE Rafael Maharramli
19 MF   AZE Fakhri Mammadli
20 FW   GER Leroy-Jacques Mickels
No. Pos. Nation Player
24 MF   AZE Edqar Adilkhanov
32 DF   MNE Vasilije Radenović
56 MF   AZE Samir Aghayev
60 MF   AZE Sabayil Bagirov
62 GK   AZE Abdulla Seyidahmadov
66 DF   SRB Vasilije Bakić
80 DF   AZE Zahid Mardanov
82 DF   AZE Rufat Abbasov
85 GK   AZE Kamal Bayramov
93 MF   FRA Brahim Konaté

For recent transfers, see List of Azerbaijan football transfers summer 2024.

Club officials

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Management

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Position Staff
Chairman of the Board   Elchin Usub
General Manager   Kamran Ismayılov
Press secretary   Yusif Huseynov

Coaching staff

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Position Name
Head coach   Aykhan Abbasov
Assistant coach   Elnur Chodarov
  Khayal Garayev
  Vusal Garayev
  Jeyhun Rzayev
Goalkeeping coach   Kamil Gafarov

Records

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Top goalscorers

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As of match played 22 May 2022
 
Bachana Tskhadadze is the clubs top goal scorer in history.
Name Years League Azerbaijan Cup Europe Total
1   Bachana Tskhadadze 2011–2015 36 (116) 10 (20) 6 (11) 47 (147)
2   Nizami Hajiyev 2007–2008
2010–2013
2014–2017
28 (139) 4 (22) 4 (16) 36 (177)
3   Walter Guglielmone 2007–2009 28 (44) 4 (?) 1 (3) 33 (47+)
4   Khagani Mammadov 2007–2009 22 (35) 3 (?) 0 (5) 25 (40+)
5   Robertas Poškus 2009–2011 17 (49) 3 (5+) 0 (2) 20 (46+)
5   César Meza 2013–2015, 2016
2018, 2019–2021
10 (86) 8 (18) 2 (2) 20 (106)
5   Vagif Javadov 2013–2014
2018–2020
17 (52) 2 (7) 1 (5) 20 (64)
8   Rauf Aliyev 2016–2017 12 (36) 3 (5) 2 (10) 17 (51)
9   Ģirts Karlsons 2009–2015 10 (63) 5 (7+) 1 (2) 16 (72+)
10   Petar Zlatinov 2008–2013 14 (107) 0 (9+) 1 (10) 15 (126+)
 
Volodimir Levin is the club's most capped player.
Top Ten Players With Most Appearances
Player Period Caps Goals
1   Volodimir Levin 2004–13 204 11
2   Asif Mammadov 2008–10; 2011–2015 118 7
3   Bachana Tskhadadze 2010–2015 117 47
4   Giorgi Lomaia 2009–2016 108 0
5   Arif Dashdemirov 2010–2015 98 5
6   Petar Zlatinov 2008–13 97 10
7   Ilia Kandelaki 2010–13 75 3
8   Elmar Bakhshiev 2004–07 74 1
9   Ģirts Karlsons 2009–12 73 36
10   Bronislav Červenka 2007–12 72 5

Notable managers

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

Name Nat. From To P W D L GS GA %W Honours Notes
Ismail Aliyev   Azerbaijan 1997 1998 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Samir Alakbarov   Azerbaijan 1999 2000 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Boyukagha Aghayev   Azerbaijan 2001 2004 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A [26]
Anatoly Konjkov   Ukraine 2004 2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A [27]
Oleg Smolyaninov   Russia 2006 2006 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A [28]
Valentyn Khodukin   Ukraine 2006 Jun 2009 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Azerbaijan Premier League [28]
Kakhaber Tskhadadze   Georgia Jul 2009 Jun 2015 220 111 63 46 301 166 050.45 Azerbaijan Premier League
CIS Cup
[29]
Zaur Svanadze   Georgia Jun 2015 29 October 2017 94 37 28 29 112 109 039.36
Ramiz Mammadov   Azerbaijan 29 October 2017 25 December 2017 7 3 0 4 2 10 042.86
Yuriy Maksymov   Ukraine 25 December 2017 17 July 2018 17 8 6 3 23 15 047.06 Azerbaijan Cup
Mladen Milinković   Serbia 25 July 2018[17] 29 October 2018[18] 8 1 2 5 7 12 012.50
Tarlan Ahmadov   Azerbaijan 30 October 2018[19] 8 August 2020[20] 23 6 5 12 15 19 026.09
Yunis Huseynov   Azerbaijan 16 August 2020[21] 24 January 2021[22] 15 3 5 7 13 21 020.00
Sanan Gurbanov   Azerbaijan 24 January 2021[23] 0 0 0 0 0 0 !
  • Notes:

P – Total of played matches W – Won matches D – Drawn matches L – Lost matches GS – Goal scored GA – Goals against
%W – Percentage of matches won

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

Honours

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National

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Regional

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References

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  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. 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). uefa.com. 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). Keshla FK. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  15. ^ "Müşahidə Şurasının iclası keçirildi". inter.az (in Azerbaijani). Keshla 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). Keşla FK. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  19. ^ a b "Keşlə FK-ya yeni baş məşqçi təyin olundu". www.keshlafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Keşla FK. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  20. ^ a b ""Keşlə" FK-nın məlumatı". keshlafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Keşla FK. 8 August 2020.
  21. ^ a b ""Keşlə" Futbol Klubunun məlumatı". keshlafc.az (in Azerbaijani). Keşla FK. 16 August 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Yunis Hüseynov istefa verib". keshlafc.az/ (in Azerbaijani). Keşla FK. 24 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  23. ^ a b "Sənan Qurbanov "Keşlə"də!". keshlafc.az/ (in Azerbaijani). Keşla 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. ^ Беюкага АГАЕВ:"Мы находимся в ожидании чего-то нового". extratime.az (in Russian). Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  27. ^ "Бывший тренер футбольного клуба "Интер" Анатолий Коньков будет прооперирован". Day.az (in Russian). Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  28. ^ a b Ibrahimov, Erkin. Ходукин возглавил "Интер". uefa.com (in Russian). UEFA. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  29. ^ "Sxadadze 250-ə yaxınlaşdı". rekord.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 2 November 2014.
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