Gara Garayev

Gara Elkhan oghlu Garayev (; born 12 October 1992) is an Azerbaijani professional footballer who plays as a midfielder, most recently for Azerbaijan Premier League club Araz-Naxçıvan, and Azerbaijan national team. He has been twice selected as the footballer of the year in Azerbaijan in 2014 and 2020.

Early years Gara Garayev was born on 12 October 1992 in Füzuli.

Club career On 22 May 2019, Qarayev signed a new two-year contract with Qarabağ.

Qarayev left Qarabağ on 24 July 2023, with Neftçi announcing his signing to a two-year contract with the option of an additional year the same day. On 19 September 2024, Neftçi announced the departure of Qarayev from the club by mutual agreement.

On 30 October 2024, Azerbaijan Premier League club Araz-Naxçıvan signed a contract with Qarayev until the end of the season.

On 25 December 2025, Araz announced that they had terminated their contract Qarayev by mutual agreement.

Career statistics Club

International Statistics accurate as of match played 17 June 2022

Honours Club Qarabağ FK Azerbaijan Premier League: (9) 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–2023 Azerbaijan Cup: (5) 2008–09, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2021–22

Individual Azerbaijani Footballer of the Year (2): 2014, 2020