Jeju United Acquires Islom Kenzhaboev From FC Nasaf Qarshi

Jeju United have strengthened their offensive ranks ahead of the 2021 campaign with the signing of Uzbek right winger Islom Kenzhaboev from Nasaf Qarshi.  The 21 year old had spent his entire career with his now-former club, as he was also in their youth system going back to 2016.  What can fans of the club expect from their new signing?  KLU's Branko Belan sat down with Jalollkhon Inagomkhujaev of Championat.Asia to learn more about the emerging talent.

(Photo courtesy of Jeju United)

Islom Kenzhaboev began his football career as a teenager and had been with the club up until deciding to come to Korea to join Jeju United.  Inagomkhujaev stresses the importance of the Nasaf academy, not only for Kenzhaboev, but for many players in Uzbekistan.

"He came to the club on his thirteenth birthday.  Islam trained with Nasaf for eight years.  The FC Nasaf academy is one of the best academies in Uzbekistan.  A lot of players, those who are playing for the best local clubs are Nasaf academy graduates.  The Nasaf academy established best circumstances for the players," he began.

Bright Beginnings

Kenzhaboev started out well with his now former club, having a great deal of success, but last season was particularly special.

"He played well in the league.  He won the silver medal in the Uzbekistan Super League last year.  His statistics also indicate how he well he played and finished the league - he played in 26 matches and recorded 1,762 minutes, scored five goals and had two assists, along with one yellow card."

Asked about his special qualities as a player, Inagomkhujaev made the following assessment:

"Islom Kenzhaboev is a very fast player and his dribbling skill is high-class.  He shows good performance with the ball.  He loves to have the ball at his feet, but he has a tendency to hold on to the ball a bit too long, leading to turnovers in possession.  That is one thing I think he needs to work on as he progresses with his career."

Time for New Challenges

Kenzhaboev's contract with the club expired at the end of last year, prompting the move abroad.

"Islom Kenzhaboev’s contract ended on December 31st, 2020.  The club and player chose not to extend the contract.  Islom wanted new challenges, especially abroad.  In the end, he decided to play for Jeju United."

[READ: 2021 Jeju United Season Preview]

Kenzhaboev could be utilized as a winger in attack, his most natural position.  He now joins the likes of Gong Min-hyun, who led the team in attack points last season and Lee Dong-ryul, who won the Young Player of the Year award in K League 2 for the 2020 season.

"Islom plays well on the left side of midfield.  He is a winger.  His high speed helps him to run on the wing. He is also capable of playing as a left attacker if the team plays in a 4-3-3 formation.  Some official sources list him as a right-winger.  It is not false - he can play as a right-winger, too."

Fans of Korean football and the K League in particular have quite a bit to look forward to.

"His game is very fascinating, so K League fans can expect more goals, key passes, long runs up and down the flanks.  As I mentioned, his dribbling is his best feature, so fans could expect many things from Islom.  He is a player with a lot of self-confidence, so he can manage or lead his team going forward."

Inagomkhujaev recalls some of Kenzhaboev's best moments with Nasaf.

"Islom Kenzhaboev’s debut for Nasaf was in 2017.  During these years, he played well for the team.  But, the 2020 season was the best for him.  Despite, FC Nasaf’s financial deficiencies, the team won the silver medal in the Uzbekistan Super League.  Perhaps the best match of the season was when Nasaf beat FC Pakhtakor (the league champions) in Qarshi 3-0 at the end of November.

K League United would like to take the opportunity to say thank you to Jalollkhon Inagomkhujaev of Championat.Asia for taking the time to speak with us about Jeju United's new acquisition Islom Kenzhaboev.  You can follow their English account on Twitter.