Kazakh Forward Satpaev Set for Chelsea Move After champions League Breakthrough, Interest From European Giants
ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN - Rising Kazakhstani striker Bauyrzhan Satpaev, 17, is poised to join Chelsea after a standout season with Kairat Almaty, punctuated by a historic Champions League qualifying goal and attracting attention from several top European clubs. The transfer, currently being facilitated with support from Kairat, marks a significant step for the young player and Kazakh football.
Satpaev recently featured in a behind-closed-doors under-21 kind, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist, further showcasing his attacking prowess. He confirmed interest from Zenit St Petersburg, Real Sociedad, Benfica, Salzburg and Marseille, with Benfica and Hoffenheim also submitting rival offers.
The forward’s Champions League debut came against Olimpija Ljubljana, where he became the second-youngest goalscorer in the competition’s qualifying history at 16 years, 10 months and 26 days old. This achievement followed a prolific 2021 academy season where he reportedly scored 54 goals in 19 league games.
This season, Satpaev has continued his notable form, netting 12 goals and adding seven assists in 26 domestic matches for Kairat. His speed and finishing ability have drawn comparisons to Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero from teammates.
Satpaev already speaks some english,having proactively prepared for a potential move to Europe. One of his parents is expected to accompany him to London.Chelsea and kairat have established an arrangement where blues scouts will continue to provide feedback on Satpaev’s advancement during his remaining time in Kazakhstan.
“as a child,I loved football and often played with boys older than me with my brother’s friends,” Satpaev said in his frist UK interview with BBC Sport. “My parents worried I’d get injured, as I played on sandy and rocky pitches against bigger boys. We only took breaks to drink juice. Others noticed my speed, and eventually my grandfather suggested I take trials at Kairat, where my career began.”
He credits Kairat with providing the infrastructure and coaching necessary for his development, stating, “Kairat greatly supported me with its infrastructure, coaches and player development approach. It also helped me become mentally strong, stay focused, and embrace hard work from an early age. We performed well at international youth tournaments, which attracted an offer from a club like Chelsea.”
Kairat manager Urazbakhtin highlighted Satpaev’s relentless work ethic, noting, “We had to forbid him from training. He was always sneaking out into the gym or back on to the pitches after sessions.We’d laugh because [we would] see him practising in the dark through the window and we had to tell him to stop, but he now understands the importance of recovery.”
satpaev expressed his ambition to represent Kazakh football on the European stage, stating, “God willing, my ambition is to become a professional football player who is competitive at the European level, to show that Kazakhstan also has many talented players, and never to stop after what I’ve already achieved. I want to never give up, continue working hard and reach my goals.”
