The Transfermarkt portal has updated the market values of players in the Russian Premier League, and the main event for Tajik football has been another increase in the value of the Tajik national team goalkeeper and Rostov player Rustam Yatimov.
The value of the 27-year-old goalkeeper has risen by 200,000 euros and now stands at 2 million euros. This is not only a new personal record for Yatimov but also the best figure among all active players in the Tajik national team.
The past season in the RPL was ambiguous for Rustam Yatimov. Throughout the championship, he repeatedly saved Rostov, but at the end of the season, he made several noticeable mistakes.
Nevertheless, these episodes did not overshadow the overall contribution of the Tajik goalkeeper to the team’s performance. Rostov managed to avoid relegation playoffs, and Yatimov maintained his status as one of the most stable goalkeepers in the Russian championship.
Transfermarkt experts assessed the player’s progress with a value increase from 1.8 to 2 million euros. Today, Yatimov is the most expensive Tajik footballer in the world and the first representative of the country to surpass the 2 million euro mark.
For Rustam himself, this is another step up after his transfer from Istiklol to Rostov in the summer of 2024. The goalkeeper’s contract with the Russian club is valid until June 2029, which also positively affects his market evaluation.
Next is another goalkeeper – Oleg Baklov from the Azerbaijani Turan Tovuz, whose value is 500,000 euros. The captain of Istiklol, Amirbek Juraboev, and the defender of Uzbekistan’s Sogdiana, Zoir Juraboev, are both valued at 450,000 euros.
Among the most expensive players in the national team are also winger Shervoni Mabatshoev from Terengganu (350,000 euros), defender Manuchehr Safarov from Istiklol (300,000 euros), forward Shahrom Samiev from the Iraqi club Al-Karma (300,000 euros), and defender Sodikjon Kurbonov from Istiklol (300,000 euros).
Completing the top part of the ranking are defender Tabrez Islomov (250,000 euros), forward Sheriddin Boboev from Indonesian PSM (250,000 euros), and winger Mukhammadjon Rahimov from Istiklol (225,000 euros).
Sixth place among the best goalkeepers in Asia
The new value has 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 well-known players from the continent.
The leader remains Japanese Dziyon Suzuki from Italian Parma, whose value has reached 20 million euros. The second place is occupied by another representative from Japan – Leo Kokubo from Belgian Sint-Truiden (5 million euros). Third is Yohei Takaoka from Canadian Vancouver Whitecaps (3.5 million euros).
Fourth place is held by Indonesian national team goalkeeper Emil Audero from Cremonese (2.8 million euros), while fifth is Japanese Taishi Brandon Nozawa from Belgian Antwerp (2.5 million euros).
Next is a group of goalkeepers valued at 2 million euros, which includes Rustam Yatimov, Japanese Keisuke Osaka from Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Indonesian Maarten Paes from Amsterdam Ajax, and legendary Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, who plays for Spanish Levante.
Thus, Yatimov is in the company of the best goalkeepers in Asia and surpasses dozens of goalkeepers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, South Korea, and other leading football countries on the continent.
How the value is formed on Transfermarkt
It is important to understand that the market value on Transfermarkt is not a direct forecast of the amount of a possible transfer. It reflects the estimated value of the footballer on the open market taking into account many factors.
The assessment considers the player’s age, the level of the championship, 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 significant role in discussing and adjusting valuations.
In Yatimov’s case, the increase in value is explained by several factors: performances in the Russian Premier League, status as the first-choice goalkeeper for the national team, age, which is considered optimal for a goalkeeper, as well as a long-term contract with Rostov.
