Neftçi PFK, the Baku-based professional football club founded in 1937, unveiled its fifth logo on June 26, 2024. The modernized emblem returns to the club’s traditional black-and-white color scheme and draws directly from the contours of the club’s first historical symbol.[1][2]
Design and History
The club’s original emblem, created in the 1930s, depicted the Cyrillic letter “Н” (the first letter of the club’s then-name “Neftyannik”) against the background of an oil derrick, reflecting the team’s origins as a club of oil workers.[3] The logo was subsequently changed in 1977, 1997, 2004, and most recently in 2024.[3]
The 2024 redesign, created by the Baku agency Endorphin, was developed to address the previous logo’s dated and cluttered appearance. The design team removed unnecessary elements from the old logo to achieve a cleaner, more balanced composition while drawing inspiration from the club’s 1949-1976 logo.[4] The club’s press service stated that the modernized logo reflects attachment to the club’s roots and a strong connection between generations.[5]
At the center of the new emblem are the contours of the club’s first symbol, the letter “N” (the initial letter of the club’s name), and oil derricks. The upper part of the emblem features the name “NEFTCHI” Sports Club, while the year of establishment, “1937,” is highlighted at the bottom as a key visual element.[2]
Meaning and Symbolism
The club’s black-and-white colors trace back to its founding era. The black represented “black gold” (oil), which formed the basis of the team’s identity, while white was added to reflect cotton, which was then called “white gold” and played an important role in Azerbaijan’s economy. The club has remained faithful to these black-and-white colors since that time.[3][6]
The oil derrick motif in the current logo maintains the club’s historical connection to the oil industry, while the letter “N” anchors the emblem to the club’s name. The accompanying slogan, introduced with the 2024 rebrand, reinforces the generational message: “Oilman of the years, oilman of future generations.”[5]
Typography and Design
The 2024 logo was designed in a minimalist style, a departure from the more complex and cluttered previous version. Graphic designer Mahin Hajizade, commenting on the redesign, noted that the old logo was “more confused and complicated” and that the new work achieved “a more minimal, modern design.”[7] The design process involved studying the club’s historical logos alongside modern design trends, with the goal of creating a logo that is clear and strong at any size across digital and print platforms.[4]
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