Özbiliz trains with “Rayo Vallecano” for the first time

YEREVAN, JANUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenian National Football Team’s midfielder Aras Özbilizis a“Rayo Vallecano”player and joins the Spanish side on a loan deal from Turkish Super Lig side,“Beşiktaş”. The winger arrived in Madrid on January 25 and trained with the first team squad in evening training session at Rayo’s training complex on January 26, “Armenpress” reports, citing AS website. The Armenian international becomesPaco Jemez’ssecond reinforcement in the winter transfer window along with defender Crespo.

Özbiliz himself announced his arrival at theLa Liigaside in declarations that were picked up by Dutch daily, 'De Telegraaf'. "I’m heading straight to “Rayo Vallecano”so as to get playing time and that way I can come back stronger next summer”. The player has been capped forArmenia 22 times with four goals in his time as an international. The player sealed his move from“Spartak” Moscowto“Beşiktaş”on a three year deal with theIstanbulbased club deciding to loan the player to Rayo with immediate effect.

“Beşiktaş”paid 1.3 million euros to “Spartak” Moscow for Aras Özbiliz’s transfer.

Aras Özbiliz is an Armenian football player who currently plays right-winger for the Armenian national team and for Spanish Primera club ”Rayo Vallecano” on loan.

Aras was born on 9 March 1990 in the Bakırköy district of Istanbul, Turkey, to Armenian parents. He was named after the Aras River, a body of water in Armenia. His ancestors adopted the surname "Özbiliz". Their family name was once Zbilizyan. In the early 1990s, his family emigrated from Turkey to the Netherlands. Five years later, he started playing football for the youth team of HVV Hollandia. When he was eight years old, Aras joined the youth team of Ajax.

On 24 July 2007, in a friendly match against Argentinean club Independiente, Aras managed to score three goals within 7 minutes, which turned out to be a personal record.

On 24 February 2012, in a Europa League match against Manchester United, Aras became the first Ajax player to ever score a goal against Manchester United in a European cup match at Old Trafford.

On 4 October 2011, on order of the President Serzh Sargsyan, Aras Ozbilis received Armenian citizenship and became a player of the Armenia national football team.

On 29 February 2012, Aras debuted for the national team of Armenia during a friendly match with Canada and scored a goal in that same match.