Foreign-player limit in Armenia: Noah already over the quota, Ararat-Armenia have one spot left
- Author: Vahe Hakobyan
- Sportaran
According to Transfermarkt, Armenian Premier League clubs currently have a total of 121 foreign players on their rosters. Alashkert, Noah and Ararat-Armenia have the highest numbers of foreign footballers.
Under the Armenian championship’s new regulations, each club may register no more than 15 foreign players for the season.
Number of foreign players at Armenian Premier League clubs
| Club | Foreign players |
|---|---|
| Alashkert | 17 |
| Noah | 16 |
| Ararat-Armenia | 14 |
| Ararat | 13 |
| Gandzasar | 12 |
| Pyunik | 11 |
| Urartu | 11 |
| Van | 11 |
| Sardarapat | 6 |
| Syunik | 6 |
| Shirak | 4 |
| BKMA | 0 |
Alashkert formally have the highest number of foreign players, with 17. However, the situation is not considered critical for the Yerevan club, as five of those players are 18-year-old graduates of the Vista academy and can play for the club’s reserve team in the Armenian First League.
The situation is considerably more difficult for Noah and Ararat-Armenia. Almost all of their foreign players are important members of the first-team squad.
Ararat-Armenia currently have 14 foreign players, leaving the club with only one available spot in their registration list for the season. Noah already have 16 foreign players, one more than the permitted maximum.
Moreover, the figures do not yet include Serbian forward Marko Lazetić, whose potential move to Noah had previously been reported.
Journalist Suren Meliksetyan earlier reported that the foreign-player limit was one of the reasons why Imran Oulad Omar had to leave Noah. In addition, Yann Eteki and Bilal Fofana are currently recovering from injuries and are unable to join other clubs.
At the same time, they may not be registered by Noah for the first half of the season and could be left without competitive football even if they recover earlier than expected.
A limit of 15 foreign players cannot be considered particularly strict in itself. However, the new rule was introduced late, after many clubs had already assembled their squads and signed contracts with foreign footballers.
As a result, the restriction could have a serious impact not only on the clubs’ transfer plans but also on the players, some of whom risk being left out of the squad for at least six months.
It should also be noted that Transfermarkt’s figures may differ from the clubs’ final official registration lists for the season.