The Transfermarkt portal has updated the market values of players in the Russian Premier League, and the main event for Tajik football was another increase in the price of the goalkeeper of the Tajikistan national team and Rostov, Rustam Yatimov.
The cost of the 27-year-old goalkeeper immediately increased by 200 thousand euros and now stands at 2 million euros. This is not only a new personal record for Yatimov, but also the best result among all active football players of the Tajikistan national team.
The past season in the RPL turned out to be controversial for Rustam Yatimov. During the championship, he repeatedly helped Rostov out, but at the end of the season he made several noticeable mistakes.
However, these episodes did not negate the overall contribution of the Tajik goalkeeper to the team’s performance. “Rostov” managed to avoid falling into the play-off zone, and Yatimov himself retained his status as one of the most stable goalkeepers of the Russian championship.
Transfermarkt experts assessed the player’s progress by increasing his value from 1.8 to 2 million euros. Today Yatimov is the most expensive Tajik football player in the world and the first representative of the country to surpass the two million euro mark.
For Rustam himself, this is another step up after moving from Istiklol to Rostov in the summer of 2024. The goalkeeper’s contract with the Russian club is valid until June 2029, which also has a positive effect on his market valuation.
Next comes another goalkeeper – Oleg Baklov from the Azerbaijani Turan Tovuz, whose cost is 500 thousand euros. Istiklol captain Amirbek Juraboev and Uzbek Sogdiana defender Zoir Juraboev cost 450 thousand euros each.
The most expensive players of the national team also include Terengganu winger Shervoni Mabatshoev (350 thousand euros), Istiklol defender Manuchehr Safarov (300 thousand euros), forward of the Iraqi club Al-Karma Shahrom Samiev (300 thousand euros) and Istiklol defender Sodikjon Kurbonov (300 thousand euros).
The top part of the ranking is completed by defender Tabrez Islomov (250 thousand euros), striker of the Indonesian PSM Sheriddin Boboev (250 thousand euros) and winger Istiklol Muhammadjon Rakhimov (225 thousand euros).
Sixth best goalkeeper in Asia
The new price allowed Rustam Yatimov to rise into the elite of Asian goalkeepers. In the ranking of the most expensive goalkeepers in Asia, the Tajik footballer now shares sixth place with several famous players from the continent.
The leader remains the Japanese Jion Suzuki from the Italian Parma, whose value reached 20 million euros. Second place is occupied by another representative of Japan – Leo Kokubo from the Belgian Sint-Truiden (5 million euros). The third place is Yohei Takaoka from the Canadian Vancouver Whitecaps (3.5 million euros).
The fourth place is occupied by the goalkeeper of the Indonesian national team Emil Audero from Cremonese (2.8 million euros), and the fifth is the Japanese Taishi Brandon Nozawa from the Belgian Antwerp (2.5 million euros).
Next is a group of goalkeepers worth 2 million euros, which includes Rustam Yatimov, Japanese Keisuke Osaka from Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Indonesian Maarten Paes from Amsterdam Ajax and the legendary Australian goalkeeper Matthew Ryan, who plays for the Spanish Levante.
Thus, Yatimov is in the company of the best goalkeepers in Asia and ahead of dozens of goalkeepers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, South Korea and other leading football countries of the continent.
How the cost is formed on Transfermarkt
It is important to understand that the Transfermarkt market value is not a direct prediction of the amount of a possible transfer. It reflects the perceived value of a player on the free market, taking into account many factors.
The assessment takes into account the player’s age, championship level, performance statistics, position in the club and national team, contract duration, prospects for further development and interest from other teams. The community of Transfermarkt experts also plays a big role, participating in the discussion and adjustment of ratings.
In the case of Yatimov, the increase in value is explained by several factors: performances in the Russian Premier League, the status of the main goalkeeper of the national team, the age that is considered optimal for a goalkeeper, as well as a long-term contract with Rostov.
