PHOENIX (January 13, 2020) — Phoenix Rising Football Club announced today that forward Rufat Dadashov has signed with the club for the 2020 season pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, the terms of the contract will not be made public.

“For me playing for Phoenix Rising FC is a dream come true,” Dadashov said. “Since 2014, when we played with the Azerbaijan national team against the U.S. national team, I’ve closely followed soccer in America and it is very impressive to see the great development. I really wanted to be part of this. After talking to Rick Schantz I knew 100 percent that I wanted to play for Phoenix. I cannot wait to get started and meet my teammates, the fans and see Arizona and most importantly help Phoenix Rising to win games!”

Dadashov most recently played with German side Preußen Münster for the past two seasons. He appeared in 52 matches (3,466 minutes) and scored 14 goals with two assists. His eight goals in the 2018/19 season were third-best on the club.

Dadashov has also been capped by the Azerbaijan National Team 24 times, scoring five goals in his international career. He made his international debut in an international friendly against Uzbekistan on February 1, 2013 and has started for his country in European and World Cup qualification matches.

“Rufat’s size, power, and precision are something that will be very beneficial to Phoenix Rising,” said Phoenix Rising head coach Rick Schantz “His ability to hold up the ball will allow our wingers and attacking midfielders to get involved and make runs off of him. He has been playing in a very good league in Germany. I expect that this will translate extremely well into the USL.”

With the addition of Dadashov, the club has 19 players officially signed for the 2020 USL Championship season.

2020 Phoenix Rising Roster

José Aguinaga

Solomon Asante

Jon Bakero

Jack Barmby

Kyle Bjornethun

Joey Calistri

A.J. Cochran

Rufat Dadashov

Joe Farrell

Junior Flemmings

Adam Jahn

Darnell King

Owusu-Ansah Kontor

Kevon Lambert

Austin Ledbetter

Zac Lubin

Santi Moar

Jordan Schweitzer

Corey Whelan



About Phoenix Rising FC

Phoenix Rising FC is the highest-level professional soccer franchise in Arizona’s history and the 2019 USL Regular Season Title Winners. The club also holds the record for the longest win streak in American professional soccer history at 20 matches. The club is owned by legendary Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, Didier Drogba, Advantage Sports Union CEO, Alex Zheng, club governor Berke Bakay, and an impressive collection of business leaders and international celebrities. Established in 2016, Phoenix Rising FC is applying for Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion and currently plays in the USL Championship, the largest Division 2 professional league in the world. The team also owns FC Tucson, which brings USL League One professional soccer to Southern Arizona. For season tickets or more information call 623-594-9606 or visit PHXRisingFC.com. You can also follow the team on Facebook (PHXRisingFC), Twitter (@PHXRisingFC), Instagram (@PHXRisingFC) and YouTube (PhoenixRisingFootballClub) or by downloading the Official Team App in the App Store or Google Play.