FC Noah: The Armenian team that Chelsea plays, named after a biblical figure with Figo links

Davit Alaverdyan, editor-in-chief of Mediamax Media Company in Yerevan, said: “Although the club was founded in 2017, it underwent a complete transformation in 2022/23 with new ownership and management, so in this sense it can truly be considered new.”

“Such success is truly unprecedented.”

Former Portugal, Real Madrid and Barcelona star Figo seems an unlikely name to be linked to an Armenian club, but club owner Vardanyan said: “Luis Figo was one of the first to express my vision, this to build the project.”

“He believed in the success of the program and offered his willingness to help in key areas. We are friends and often discuss the club’s development, with Figo giving valuable advice.”

“We have big plans for Figo, particularly supporting Noah’s young talent abroad and strengthening the club’s international reputation.”

The club's sudden rise and its nomadic history to date means its fan base is still catching up. They had several different stadiums, in the capital Yerevan, also in Armavir and currently in Abovyan.

Their European games will be played at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan and they are building a new stadium in the nearby town of Echmiatsin.

“Until recently the team did not have many fans, but success on the international stage has led to the number increasing with each game,” said journalist Alaverdyan.

“A stadium for 20,000 people and a football academy are being built near Yerevan.”

And the club's biblical name?

The Old Testament says that Noah's Ark landed on Mount Ararat – which lies just over the border in modern Turkey and dominates the horizon of Yerevan.

Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as an official religion in the fourth century.

“A significant part of Armenia lies in the Ararat Valley, so the themes of Ararat, Noah and his Ark have sacred meaning for Armenians,” Alaverdyan said.

Captain Hovhannes Hambardzumyan is one of their longest-serving players, having arrived in August 2023.

“Being part of Noah’s project is special for all of us,” said the 34-year-old Armenian right-back.

“We don’t just play football; we play for our nation, our pride, our homeland and our tricolor and strive to make the name of Noah known in the world of football.”