Elman Tagaýew

Elman Tagaýew (born June 2, 1989 in Kyzyl-Arvat ) is a Turkmen professional football midfielder of Azerbaijani descent. He plays for Ýokary Liga club FC Ahal and the Turkmenistan national team.

Biography Tagaýew was born in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to an Azerbaijani family. He began playing football at eight years old. In 2014, he married his wife Arina. In 2015, they had two twin sons named Alan and Ali.

Career Club Tagaýew started his career at Aşgabat before going on trial with Khazar Lankaran in early 2012. During his trial with Khazar Lankaran he appeared as a substitute, and scored, against Turkmenistan. Khazar declined to sign Tagaýew due to the players attitude during a game. Tagaýew went on to sign for AZAL in the summer of 2012, but only made 8 appearances before leaving in March 2013.

In June 2017, Tagayev signed a one-year contract with newly-promoted Azerbaijan Premier League team Səbail FK. Tagayev was released by Sabail FK at the end of the 2017–18 season.

International Elman Tagaýew played for the Turkmenistan national under-23 football team at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.

Tagaýew's first international goal came against Nepal in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup group stage. As part of the national team of Turkmenistan, he became the finalist of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.

Career statistics Club

International Statistics accurate as of match played 18 November 2025

International goals Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 12 March 2012 Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal 1–0 3–0 2012 AFC Challenge Cup 2. 25 March 2025 National Stadium, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 2–1 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification 3. 14 October 2025 Arkadag Stadium, Arkadag, Turkmenistan 2–1 4. 18 November 2025 2–1 3–1

Honours Turkmenistan AFC Challenge Cup runner-up: 2012

Individual Football Federation of Turkmenistan Footballer of the Year: 2021, 2024 Ýokary Liga Top Goalscorer: 2021 (10 goals)