Rüfat Abdullazada, a 25-year-old from Azerbaijan, has left Varaždin for his second consecutive loan spell, joining Israeli top-division club Ironi Kiryat Shmona for the next year. The right winger previously spent the spring part of the season on loan at Azerbaijani club Zira, where he did not record a goal or an assist. Abdullazada had initially joined Varaždin from Sabail, which was his first club move outside of his home country. His contract with Varaždin is set to expire at the end of May 2028, and he has been capped 17 times for the Azerbaijan U21 team, scoring 3 goals. His valuation is currently €450k, according to Transfermarkt.