At the age of 29, Armenian national team midfielder Edgar Babayan has announced his retirement from professional football. The decision comes as a result of a severe Achilles tendon injury sustained in 2023, from which he was unable to recover.
Club Career
Edgar Babayan was born in Germany but spent most of his career in Denmark. His football journey began at the Randers Freja academy, and at the age of 18, he joined the first team of Randers FC, making his debut in 2013. In 2018, Babayan moved to Hobro IK, where he became one of the team’s key players. The 2019/20 season was particularly successful for him, as he scored five goals and provided 11 assists.
After Hobro IK, Babayan had stints in Latvia (Riga FC), Cyprus (Pafos), and Vejle before returning to Randers FC, where he ultimately ended his career. In total, he played 113 matches in the Danish Superliga, scoring 11 goals and delivering 13 assists.
International Career with Armenia
Since 2018, Babayan represented the Armenian national team, earning 16 caps. His only goal for the national team, despite an overall disappointing result, was memorable for its beauty – a stunning strike against Italy (1-9) past goalkeeper Alex Meret.
Decision to Retire
In September 2023, Babayan suffered a serious knee injury in a match against AGF. Despite a lengthy rehabilitation process and multiple attempts to return to the field, he was unable to fully recover, leading him to make the difficult decision to hang up his boots.
Randers FC sporting director Søren Pedersen expressed his regret over the situation:
"We are deeply saddened that Edgar couldn't make a full recovery. He was always a true professional and a great representative of our club both on and off the pitch. We are proud of his career and wish him the best in this new chapter of his life."
Babayan also shared his thoughts on his decision:
"It’s heartbreaking that my career has to end this way. I truly cherished my time at Randers and am grateful to the club, the fans, and the city. I did everything I could to come back, but the pain wouldn’t allow me to continue. Now, a new chapter in my life begins, and I look forward to what the future holds."
Throughout his career, Babayan left a significant mark both in club football and with the Armenian national team. His dedication, professionalism, and elegant playing style will always be remembered by fans.
Thank you for everything, Edgar! Best of luck in the next chapter of your journey.