Armenian clubs enter winter break: first squad changes and transfer expectations

Most clubs of the Armenian Premier League have completed the first part of the season and gone on a winter break. The only exception is Noah, who will play a match against Dynamo Kyiv on December 18 in the UEFA Conference League before also heading into the break.

Despite the pause in the championship, many teams have already begun preparations for the resumption of the 2025/26 season, which is scheduled to start in late February. At the same time, the first squad-related news is emerging: several clubs have already parted ways with players, and the winter transfer window is gradually gaining momentum.

So far, the most significant changes have occurred at Van, where six players have left the club. Two players each have departed from Pyunik, Shirak, and Ararat.

Winter transfer window (current situation)

Noah
In: —
Out: —

Ararat-Armenia
In: —
Out: —

Pyunik
In: —
Out: Daniil Polyanskiy (goalkeeper), Serob Galstyan (left-back)

Urartu
In: —
Out: —

Alashkert
In: —
Out: —

Van
In: —
Out: James Santos (left-back), Arsen Galstyan (right-back), Ibrahim Yusuf (centre-forward), Petros Afajanyan (central midfielder), Cedric Do (right winger), Artur Danielyan (right-back)

Shirak
In: —
Out: Razmik Hakobyan (left-back), Serezha Urushanyan (right winger)

BKMA
In: —
Out: —

Special attention should be paid to players who were completing military service and playing for BKMA. This winter, the service terms of Mark Avetisyan and Vyacheslav Afyan (both Pyunik), Levon Bashoyan and Garnik Minasyan (Urartu), as well as Suren Tsarukyan and Narek Janoyan (Shirak) will expire. It remains unclear who will return to their parent clubs, whose future will be linked with other teams, or who will stay at BKMA.

Ararat
In: —
Out: Poghos Ayvazyan (goalkeeper), Tigran Sargsyan (right winger)

Gandzasar
In: —
Out: —

The winter transfer window has just begun, and increased activity is expected in the coming weeks. Clubs will aim to strengthen their squads ahead of the decisive phase of the season starting in late February, while Noah will focus on reinforcing the team for the UEFA Conference League playoffs.

The intense title race also obliges top-table clubs to take the winter transfer window seriously:

1. Ararat-Armenia — 34 points (15 matches)

2. Urartu — 29 (15)

3. Pyunik — 29 (14)

4. Alashkert — 29 (15)

5. Noah — 23 (14)