Davit Alaverdyan, editor-in-chief of Mediamax Media Company in Yerevan, said: “Although the club was founded in 2017, it was completely transformed in 2022-2023 with a new owner and management, so in that sense it can really be considered new.

“Such a success is truly unprecedented.”

Former Portugal, Real Madrid and Barcelona star Figo seems an unlikely name linked to an Armenian club, but club owner Vardanyan said: “Luis Figo was one of the first to support my vision of building this 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 providing valuable advice.

“We have big plans for Figo, especially to promote Noah’s young talents abroad and strengthen the club’s international reputation.”

The club’s sudden rise and nomadic history to date means their fanbase is still catching up. They have had several stadiums, in the capital Yerevan, plus Armavir and currently Abovyan.

Their European matches are played at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan, and they are building a new stadium in the nearby city of Echmiatsin.

“Until recently, the team did not have many fans, but success on the international stage has led to its numbers increasing with every match,” said journalist Alaverdyan.

“A stadium for 20,000 people is being built near Yerevan, as well as a football academy.”

And the biblical name of the club?

The Old Testament says that Noah’s Ark landed on Mount Ararat, which lies just across the border in modern Turkey and dominates Yerevan’s skyline.

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

“A significant part of Armenia is located 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, since August 2023.

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

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