Pakistan Under-17 captain Abdul Samad Khan has signed a two-year contract with Qarabağ FK, one of Azerbaijan’s most successful football clubs.

The midfielder will join the club’s youth setup, where he will represent the Under-17 and Under-19 teams as he continues his development.

Samad earned the move after catching the eye of Qarabağ’s scouts during matches against Azerbaijan’s Under-17 and Under-20 national teams earlier this year. The club invited him for a trial, and he impressed the coaching staff over four days of sessions before securing the deal.

Speaking about the move, Samad said, “InshaAllah, this will be very supportive for me. Football here is of a very high standard and I hope to achieve my goals and become a better footballer. I was selected after three to four days of trials. The documentation process will take some time, but it is a great opportunity to play for Qarabag.”

Samad hails from Manyar village in Swat district and plays for Islamabad-based POPO FC, where his football journey began in 2017.

He spent eight years in the club’s youth system before establishing himself as one of Pakistan’s most promising young talents. He has captained both the Under-17 and Under-20 national teams and scored six goals for the Under-17 side.

Primarily a central midfielder, Samad can also operate on the wings. POPO FC described him as a humble, hardworking and mentally strong player who stays committed on and off the pitch. The club said it hopes his move will encourage more young Pakistani footballers to pursue opportunities abroad.

Former Pakistan head coach Shehzad Anwar, alongside POPO FC, helped arrange the transfer and accompanied Samad throughout the process.

Qarabağ FK, nicknamed “The Horsemen,” is Azerbaijan’s most decorated club, with 12 Premier League titles and eight Azerbaijan Cups. The club reached the league phase of the UEFA Champions League in the 2025-26 season and remains a regular presence in European competition.

Samad’s move adds to a small but growing list of overseas opportunities for young Pakistani players. In April, striker Kaleemullah Junior signed with Turkish club Sariyer SK, part of a wider recovery in Pakistan football following reforms led by FIFA’s Normalisation Committee.

Qarabağ’s youth league campaign is set to begin in September.