THE ROAD FROM KARABAKH TO TWENTE

Declared Azerbaijan's best footballer of 2009, Vaqif Cavadov presented his fans with a real New Year gift: the leading player of the Agdam football club Karabakh and of Azerbaijan's national team announced his intention to pursue his football career with the Dutch team FC Twente. One of the most talented representatives of a famous soccer family has already said goodbye to his native Karabakh. We can say with confidence that, with Cavadov's transfer to Twente, the number of Azerbaijani fans of the Dutch club will grow significantly. We spoke to Vaqif himself before he flew to Holland. He shared with us his future plans and revealed which other clubs had been interested in him.

- First, tell us how you were transferred to Twente...

- I played for Karabakh against FC Twente in the third qualifying stage of the Europa League. If you remember, in summer, despite our defeat in the away game, our team made a good impression. The return match in Baku ended in a goalless draw. The Dutch club's coach, Steve McClaren, made it clear that he liked my playing. Finally, and recently, I received a formal transfer proposal. We signed a preliminary agreement in December, while the crucial document was signed at the end of the year.

- It is understood that Russian clubs also had an interest in you...

- Indeed, two or three Russian clubs and some ambitious local teams wanted to offer me contracts. But, believe me, had it not been for Twente, I was not going to change my club, because Karabakh has played a big role in my success. Even before giving a positive answer to the Dutch, I spent a long time consulting the management of my native Agdam team. Nurturing players to European level is one of Karabakh's main objectives and, therefore, by playing abroad I will also represent my native Azerbaijan and Karabakh.

- Since we already know that you'll be playing in Holland, perhaps you can name the other clubs that were interested in you.

- I guess you know that in Azerbaijan, Xazar-Lankaran and Baku were interested in me. The president of Baku, Hafiz Mammadov, said repeatedly that he wanted to see me in his team. But when I got the opportunity to play abroad, our clubs did not insist, because I had the opportunity to represent my country abroad. There were offers from Russian clubs as well. I have not disclosed the names of these teams to anybody yet. You are the first person I have mentioned them to. The Anzhi, Moskva and Locomotive clubs made me a number of offers through their agents.

- They say Anzhi were ready to pay 700,000 euros.

- (Smiles) I do not want to talk about that. Financial issues are handled by my father. I can only say that that figure is wrong - they offered less than that.

- Why Holland?

- I consulted Karabakh's head coach, Qurban Qurbanov, and my father. We decided that Twente would be the right choice. My style is close to that of Twente. If I may say so, I have a better chance of asserting myself there.

- How do you evaluate your chances of getting into Twente's first team?

- First, I must adapt to Twente and only then get a foothold in the first team. If I live up to their expectations, I may think about playing in an even stronger European team. But it is too early to talk about that yet. To begin with, I'll do everything possible to distinguish myself in the Dutch championship.

- What team do you mean by "even stronger"? I wonder where Vaqif Cavadov would really like to play.

- Journalists often ask me this question. But I am a footballer, and first I have to attract the attention of strong clubs if I am to be invited there. Desire alone is not enough; I must also raise my game to the level of these clubs. As you ask me, I would like to play for Barcelona, but that is not realistic yet.

- Do you remember the press conference in Baku at which Steve McClaren mentioned your name?

- Of course, it was after the Karabakh-Twente match, which ended in a goalless draw. McLaren used to manage the England team and I am glad that he liked my play. I will have to live up to his expectations and cope with the tasks ahead of me.

- Will you not be bored in Holland on your own?

- Why on my own? God willing, I will live there with my family - my father and mother will be nearby. My parents have always been nearby, even when I played in Russia. So they will be with me in Holland.

- Your father Fuzuli Cavadov was once one of the most famous Azerbaijani footballers. Your uncle Isgandar Cavadov is also a revered veteran of national football. Have you thought of surpassing them in popularity?

- (Smiles) That is a provocative question. At one time Isgandar Cavadov was one of the best. Fuzuli Cavadov is also remembered by many. It has never crossed my mind to surpass them. I still have a lot to learn. I always consult my father and uncle. They help me a lot.

- You have been elected best player of Azerbaijan for 2009. What does this award mean to you?

- This is, of course, a great success. I thank everyone who helped me with this - my father, mother and, of course, my coaches. It would be a sin to forget the hard work of the Karabakh management and head coach Qurban Qurbanov. I'll try to live up to their expectations in 2010.

- By the way, what can you say about Qurban Qurbanov himself? After all, when he was appointed head coach of Karabakh, many did not believe that the team would do well under him.

- Karabakh's achievements under the leadership of Qurban Qurbanov are clear. We won the national cup and played successfully in the Europa League. We knocked out Rosenborg, a strong Norwegian team. Qurban is a coach and friend of ours. He builds such relationships with players that when you are on the pitch you feel duty-bound to do everything possible.

- Some time ago, at the invitation of the "Baku"magazine, you and the leading player of the Russian national team, Andrey Arshavin, took part in a photo shoot in London. What are your impressions of your Russian colleague?

- Andrey made a good impression on me. He took the time to invite me to visit him. At his home, we talked about football. Arshavin also said that I am able to play outside Azerbaijan.

- Well, Vaqif, we can only wish you every success in your career. We'll be rooting for Twente.

- Thank you. God willing, I'll see you at the national team's games. I think the better I play, the more benefits I can bring to our national team. Thanks to all fans for their support. I thank the fans of Karabakh. I am sure that even in Holland I will need your support.