Belgian-Ghanaian defender Godfred Boakye has completed a temporary move from Birmingham City to Azerbaijani league leaders Sabah FK for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
The highly rated centre-back, who has impressed with Birmingham’s development side, will now continue his progression in the Azerbaijan Premier League after joining the Baku-based outfit as they push for what could be a landmark league triumph.
The agreement also contains a clause allowing Sabah to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season, potentially paving the way for a full departure from St Andrew’s for the promising 20-year-old defender.
Boakye arrives in Baku at a decisive moment in Sabah’s campaign. The club currently sits at the summit of the league standings and is attempting to mount a serious title challenge.
Defender Godfred Boakye has moved to Azerbaijan Premier League side Sabah FK on loan until the end of the season. 🤝
Best of luck in Baku, Freddy! 🇦🇿 pic.twitter.com/Mlg410gvkX
— Birmingham City Academy (@BCFCAcademy) February 20, 2026
Their biggest rival remains Qarabağ FK, the dominant force in Azerbaijani football that has captured nine of the last ten league championships.
For Boakye, the move represents the most significant opportunity of his young career so far. Prior to this switch, the towering 1.93-metre defender gained valuable experience during developmental loan spells with FC Inter Turku in Finland and Bromsgrove Sporting in England’s lower divisions.
Officials at Birmingham believe the loan will provide the defender with regular top-tier football in a competitive title race environment, a step viewed as crucial for his continued development.
The signing also underlines Sabah’s broader recruitment approach, which focuses on bringing in emerging talents from across Europe in an effort to challenge the long-standing dominance at the top of the Azerbaijani game.
