Imad Faraj Neftci Scout Report
Imad Faraj
Quick Answer
Imad Faraj came through Lille’s academy in France, had a loan spell at Belenenses and played for Royal Excel Mouscron, then spent four seasons at AEK Larnaca in Cyprus winning a cup title, before joining Neftci for 700,000 euros on 5 July 2025 — a French-Moroccan right winger. His biggest strength is the 7-goal contribution he produced in his first Neftci season; the key watch point is whether that output is sustainable in a second season.
Player Info Card
| Full name | Imad Faraj |
| Date of birth | 11 February 1999 |
| Age | 27 |
| Place of birth | Croix, France |
| Nationality | France / Morocco |
| Primary position | Right Winger |
| Shirt number | 11 |
| Current club | Neftci (5 July 2025 (transfer from AEK Larnaca for 700,000 euros)) |
| Contract status | Until 30 June 2028 |
Career History
| Period | Club | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2006-2017 | Lille (academy) | France |
| 2016-2020 | Lille B | France — 55 matches, 12 goals |
| 2017-2020 | Lille | France Ligue 1 — 7 matches |
| 2019 | Belenenses (loan) | Portugal — 3 matches |
| 2020-2021 | Royal Excel Mouscron | Belgium — 27 matches, 1 goal |
| 2021-2025 | AEK Larnaca | Cyprus — 124 matches, 17 goals, cup title |
| 2025-present | Neftci | Azerbaijan Premier League — 31 matches, 7 goals |
Born in Croix and of Moroccan and Algerian heritage, Faraj came through Lille’s academy and stood out with 55 appearances and 12 goals for Lille B, while making 7 first-team Ligue 1 appearances. He had a loan spell at Belenenses in Portugal in 2019, then moved to Royal Excel Mouscron in Belgium. He signed for AEK Larnaca in Cyprus on 16 August 2021, and over four seasons made 124 appearances with 17 goals, winning the Cypriot Cup in 2024-25. He transferred to Neftci for 700,000 euros on 5 July 2025, signing a contract until 30 June 2028, and reached 31 appearances with 7 goals in his first season. He has 19 caps and 1 goal across France’s U16-U19 age groups.
Playing Style & Assessment
Rather than a classic touchline winger, Faraj offers a wide profile who cuts inside looking to finish close to goal, standing out for his consistent goal output at both AEK Larnaca and Neftci.
Strengths
- Proven goal output — 17 goals in 124 appearances at AEK Larnaca and 7 goals in 31 appearances in his first Neftci season point to a consistent finishing capacity.
- One of the squad’s most valuable names — A market value of 1.5 million euros makes him one of the most valuable players in Neftci’s squad, pointing to the club’s confidence in him.
- Cup-winning experience — Winning the Cypriot Cup with AEK Larnaca in 2024-25 points to experience in high-pressure matches.
Development Areas
- Limited top-flight minutes in France — Only 7 appearances for Lille’s first team is not yet a large sample at the very top level.
- National-team level — He has only played for France’s youth age groups, with no senior caps.
- Second season in Azerbaijan — Whether his first-season output can be repeated has not yet been tested in a second season.
Level Projection
Verdict: A right winger with proven, consistent goal output at both AEK Larnaca and Neftci; could be assessed as a competitive option for upper-mid-table Süper Lig sides seeking wide width and inverted finishing.
Sporting Director’s Note
| Current level | Süper Lig competitive starting-XI option |
| Primary role | Right Winger |
| Transfer cost | Data insufficient |
| Key strength | Proven goal output |
| Key risk | Limited top-flight minutes in France |
| Scout verdict | Track live |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Imad Faraj? A French-Moroccan right winger who came through Lille’s academy, won a cup title at AEK Larnaca in Cyprus, and joined Neftci in 2025, standing out for his goal output.
How many goals has Imad Faraj scored at Neftci? He reached 7 goals in 31 appearances in his first season.
Sources & Methodology
This profile was compiled by cross-referencing Transfermarkt, the club’s official profile page, Wikipedia and accessible football data platforms. Tactical commentary and the level projection are GegenSports editorial assessments.
- Wikipedia — Imad Faraj
- Transfermarkt — Imad Faraj profile and transfer data
- Footballtransfers.com — Imad Faraj career data
