MEET

OUR COACH

NIJAT GURBANOV

At FootSkills Club, our training is led by a seasoned professional with a deep-rooted passion for the game — a former professional soccer player with over 18 years of experience at the highest levels of international competition.

Our head coach began his journey at the prestigious Neftchi Soccer Club, the flagship team of Azerbaijani football, where he trained and developed his skills as both a midfielder and forward. Over the course of his professional career, he played in more than 200 matches in the Azerbaijani Premier League and proudly represented his country as a member of the Azerbaijan National Team from 2006 to 2013.

Career Highlights:

  • Runner-up in the Azerbaijan Soccer Championship (2016)

  • Holder of the Azerbaijan Soccer Cup (2021)

  • Played abroad as a foreign player for FC Samtredia in Georgia

  • Received the UEFA C Category Coaching License

  • Began coaching youth at Beshiktash Soccer School

  • Served as a lead soccer expert on CBC Sport, one of Azerbaijan’s top sports TV channels

In 2024, he brought his passion for youth development to the United States — first coaching in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and now building a growing community of young athletes in San Jose, California.

At FootSkills Club, your child will learn from a coach who’s lived the game, understands what it takes to succeed, and knows how to nurture talent with patience, structure, and heart.