Andi Zeqiri

Last updated

Andi Zeqiri
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-06-22) 22 June 1999 (age 24)
Place of birth Lausanne, Switzerland
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) [1]
Position(s) Centre-forward
Team information
Current team
 Genk
Number 9
Youth career
2008–2011 Stade Lausanne-Ouchy
2011–2017 Lausanne-Sport
2016–2017 → Juventus (loan)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2015–2020 Lausanne-Sport 94 (28)
2020–2023 Brighton & Hove Albion 9 (0)
2021–2022 → FC Augsburg (loan) 22 (2)
2022–2023 → Basel (loan) 30 (11)
2023– Genk 20 (5)
International career‡
2013–2014 Switzerland U15 3 (1)
2014–2015 Switzerland U16 7 (3)
2014–2016 Switzerland U17 13 (4)
2016–2017 Switzerland U18 7 (3)
2015–2017 Switzerland U19 13 (5)
2018 Switzerland U20 2 (2)
2018–2021 Switzerland U21 16 (11)
2021– Switzerland 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 March 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 September 2023

Andi Zeqiri (born 22 June 1999) is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a striker for Genk and the Switzerland national team. He has represented Switzerland internationally at youth level.

Contents

Club career

Early career and Lausanne

At the age of nine, Zeqiri started playing football for local team Stade Lausanne-Ouchy, where after three years he was transferred to Lausanne, [2] playing with the youth teams in 24 matches and scoring 15 goals. On 22 May 2015, a month before his 16th birthday, Zeqiri made his professional debut in a 2–1 away defeat against Le Mont, coming on as a substitute in the 71st minute in place of Anđelko Savić. Zeqiri became Lausanne's youngest league debutant in this game. [3]

Loan at Juventus

On 30 August 2016, Zeqiri joined Campionato Primavera 2 side Juventus Youth, on a season-long loan with an option to buy. [4] On 1 October 2016, he made his debut in a 2–0 home win against Sassuolo after coming on as a substitute in the 68th minute in place of Moise Kean. [5]

Return from loan

On 1 July 2017, Zeqiri returned to Swiss Super League side Lausanne. On 12 August 2017, he played the first game after the return in the 2017–18 Swiss Cup first round against NK Pajde Möhlin after coming on as a substitute at 89th minute in place of Gabriel Torres. [6]

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 1 October 2020, Zeqiri signed a four-year contract with Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion. [7] [8] He made his debut for The Seagulls in a 1–1 home draw against Sheffield United on 20 December coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute. [9] He made his first start for The Seagulls on 10 January 2021 in a third round FA Cup tie away at Newport County where Brighton eventually won on penalties with Zeqiri being replaced in the 63rd minute. [10] Zeqiri came on as a substitute in Brighton's 1–0 away victory over defending champions Liverpool on 3 February claiming their first league win at Anfield since 1982. [11] A few months later, he came on as a substitute in another huge win, Brighton's 3–2 home victory over champions Manchester City on 18 May, with fans returning to football, in which The Seagulls went from 2–0 down to beat The Sky Blues for the first time since 1989. [12]

Zeqiri scored his first Brighton goal in his first game of the 2021–22 season scoring Albions' second in the 2–0 EFL Cup second round away win over Cardiff City in what was also his League Cup debut. [13]

FC Augsburg (loan)

On 30 August 2021, it was announced that Zeqiri had signed for Bundesliga side FC Augsburg on loan for the 2021–22 season. [14] He made his debut on 11 September, coming on as a substitute in the 0–0 away draw at Union Berlin. [15] Zeqiri scored his first goal for the club on 2 October, scoring the equaliser in an eventual 2–1 away loss against Borussia Dortmund. [16]

FC Basel (loan)

On 2 August 2022, it was confirmed that Zeqiri had returned to his home country and joined Swiss Super League side FC Basel on a one season loan. [17] He joined Basel's first team for their 2022–23 season under head coach Alexander Frei and made his debut two days later. The game was in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League, an away game on 4 August against danish club Brøndby. [18] He scored his first goal for his new club one week later on 11 August, the return leg in the St. Jakob-Park, as Basel won 3–1 on penalties to qualify for the next round. [19]

Zeqiri played his domestic league debut for the club in the home game on 7 August as Basel played a goalless draw against Young Boys Bern. [20] He scored his first league goal for them in the away game in the Letzigrund on 28 August. In fact he scored two goals as Basel won 4–2 against Zürich. [21] At the end of the season the club decided not to pull the buy out option and the player left the club. During his time with them, Zeqiri played a total of 53 games for Basel scoring a total of 18 goals. 30 of these games were in the Swiss Super League, three in the Swiss Cup, 17 in the UEFA Conference League (where Basel advanced as far as the semi-finals, but here were defeated by Fiorentina) and three were friendly games. He scored 11 goals in the domestic league, one in the cup and six in the European games. [22]

Return to Brighton

On 24 August 2023, amidst rumors of a departure and interest from other clubs, Zeqiri returned to training with the Albion.

Genk

On 5 September 2023, Zeqiri signed for Belgian Pro League club Genk on an initial three-year deal with the option for a further twelve months, [23] [24] for a fee reported to be around £2.4 million. [25]

International career

Youth career with Switzerland

Since 2013, Zeqiri is part of Switzerland at youth international level, respectively part of the U15, U16, U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 teams and he with these teams played 61 matches and scored 29 goals.

Proposed Kosovo switch

On 17 June 2020, Zeqiri's father confirmed that Zeqiri had obtained the Kosovan passport and will start the process of completing the necessary documents, which would allow him to play for Kosovo immediately after the end of the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship with Switzerland U21s. [26] On 26 August 2020, Agim Ademi, president of Football Federation of Kosovo, confirmed that Zeqiri was planned to be called up to Kosovo in September 2020 for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League matches against Moldova and Greece, but due to problems with documentation, could not be part of the team. [27]

European U21 Championships

On 15 March 2021, Zeqiri was named as part of the Switzerland U21's squad for 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. [28] He played in all three of Switzerland's group matches, including playing the whole match of the 1–0 victory over England U21's as they finished third in Group D and not qualifying for the knockouts as a result. [29]

Pledging future with Switzerland

Euro 2020 call-up

Zeqiri pledged his international career to Switzerland after he was named in Switzerland's 29-man preliminary squad for Euro 2020 on 19 May 2021, this also being his first call-up for the Swiss senior side. [30] [31] The tournament took place in the summer of 2021, postponed from the previous year as a result of Coronavirus. [32] He was an unused substitute in his first match day squad appearance; a 2–1 friendly win at home against the United States on 30 May 2021 in a warm up match for the Euros. [33] A day later he was one of three players cut from the squad for the finals. [34]

He made his national debut on 1 September 2021, coming on as a substitute in the 2–1 friendly victory over Greece at home. [35]

Personal life

Zeqiri was born in Lausanne, Switzerland to Kosovan Albanian parents from the village Talinoc i Muhaxhirëve of Ferizaj. [36]

Career statistics

Club

As of 16 September 2023 [37]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Lausanne 2014–15 Swiss Challenge League 3000——30
2015–16 Swiss Challenge League14221——163
2016–17 Swiss Super League 0010——10
2017–18 Swiss Super League19220——212
2018–19 Swiss Challenge League24711——258
2019–20 Swiss Challenge League331745——3722
2020–21 Swiss Super League1000——10
Total9428107000010435
Brighton & Hove Albion 2020–21 Premier League 903000—120
2021–22 Premier League000011—11
Total90301100131
FC Augsburg (loan) 2021–22 Bundesliga 22210——232
FC Basel (loan) 2022–23 Swiss Super League22821—11 [lower-alpha 1] 53514
Genk 2023–24 Belgian Pro League 1100——11
Career total148391681111517653

International

As of match played 29 March 2022
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Switzerland 202150
202220
Total70

Honours

Lausanne

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References

  1. ↑ "Andi Zeqiri". FC Basel. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  2. ↑ "Andi Zeqiri (17) ist das nächste Schweizer Supertalent" [Andi Zeqiri (17) is the next Swiss super talent] (in German). Blick. 13 October 2016.
  3. ↑ "Le Mont vs. Lausanne-Sport 2–1". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  4. ↑ "Le Lausannois Zeqiri fait le grand saut à la Juventus" [Lausanne's Zeqiri takes the plunge to Juventus]. Swiss Football League (in French). 30 August 2016. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  5. ↑ "Juventus Primavera–Sassuolo 2–0". Juventus Club Malta (in Maltese). 1 October 2016. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  6. ↑ "NK Pajde – FC Lausanne-Sport 1:3". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  7. ↑ "Albion sign Zeqiri". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 1 October 2020.
  8. ↑ "Zeqiri: Potter's faith in young players a big pull". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 1 October 2020.
  9. ↑ "Brighton & Hove Albion 1–1 Sheffield United: Danny Welbeck saves late point against ten men". BBC Sport. 20 December 2020.
  10. ↑ "Newport County 1–1(3–4 pens) Brighton & Hove Albion". BBC Sport. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  11. ↑ "Liverpool 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion: Steven Alzate scores in shock win". BBC Sport. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  12. ↑ "Brighton 3-2 Man City: Albion come back from two down to beat 10-man champions - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  13. ↑ "Cardiff City 0-2 Brighton & Hove Albion: Seagulls into Carabao Cup third round - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  14. ↑ "Andi Zeqiri joins FC Augsburg on loan". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  15. ↑ "Bundesliga 2021/2022 1.FC Union Berlin gegen FC Augsburg - Starting XI". FC Augsburg. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  16. ↑ "Weinzierl: "Disappointed with the result, but happy with the performance". FC Augsburg. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  17. ↑ "Andi Zeqiri makes loan move to FC Basel". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  18. ↑ Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv” (4 August 2022). "Brøndby IF - FC Basel 1:0 (0:0)". Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv”. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  19. ↑ FC Basel 1893 (11 August 2022). "Der FCB schlägt Brøndby nach Penaltys und steht in den Play-offs!". The FCB beats Brøndby on Penalties and is in the play-offs!. FC Basel 1893 AG. Retrieved 11 August 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ↑ FC Basel 1893 (7 August 2022). "Unterhaltsames Spiel endet Torlos – FCB und YB teilen die Punkte". Entertaining game ends goalless - FCB and YB share the points. FC Basel 1893 AG. Retrieved 7 August 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ↑ FC Basel 1893 (28 August 2022). "Der FCB bezwingt den FCZ auswärts mit 4:2". The FCB beats the FCZ 4-2 away from home. FC Basel 1893 AG. Retrieved 28 August 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ↑ Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv” (2023). "Andi Zeqiri - FCB statistics". Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv”. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  23. ↑ "TWEE NIEUWE GEZICHTEN ARRIVEREN IN DE CEGEKA ARENA" [TWO NEW FACES ARRIVE AT THE CEGEKA ARENA]. www.krcgenk.be/nl (in Dutch). 5 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  24. ↑ "Andi Zeqiri joins Genk". www.brightonandhovealbion.com. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  25. ↑ "Striker parts company with Albion and secures deal in Belgium". The Argus. 5 September 2023.
  26. ↑ "Ekskluzive: Flet babai i Andi Zeqirit; Andi e ka zgjedhur Kosovën!" [Exclusive: Andi Zeqiri's father speaks; Andi has chosen Kosovo!]. Futbolli.info (in Albanian). 17 June 2020.
  27. ↑ "Agim Ademi sqaron se pse dështoi kësaj radhe ardhja e Andi Zeqirit te Kosova, i zbulon të rejat e fundit rreth ndeshjeve me Moldavinë dhe Greqinë" [Agim Ademi explains why the arrival of Andi Zeqiri in Kosovo failed this time, reveals the latest news about the matches with Moldova and Greece]. Zeri.info (in Albanian). 26 August 2020.
  28. ↑ "Mauro Lustrinelli nominiert Kader für die U-21-EM" [Mauro Lustrinelli nominates the squad for the U-21 European Championship] (in German). Swiss Football Association. 15 March 2021.
  29. ↑ "England U21 0-1 Switzerland U21: Young Lions lose opening game at Euro U21 finals - BBC Sport#". BBC Sport. 25 March 2021.
  30. ↑ "Mit 29 Spielern Richtung UEFA EURO" [With 29 players towards UEFA Euro]. Swiss Football Association (in German). 19 May 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  31. ↑ "Andi Zeqiri could make final Switzerland squad for Euro 2020". The Argus. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  32. ↑ "Resolution of the European football family on a coordinated response to the impact of the COVID-19 on competitions". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  33. ↑ "Schweizerischer Fussballverband - Statistik und Resultate". SFV/ASF. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  34. ↑ "Swiss Football Association - The swiss national team squad for UEFA EURO is known". SFV/ASF. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  35. ↑ "EPO - Hellenic Football Federation - Switzerland-Greece 2-1". EPO. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  36. ↑ "ZYRTARE: Talenti 17 vjeçar nga Ferizaji prezantohet te Juventusi (FOTO)" [OFFICIAL: 17-year-old talent from Ferizaj is presented to Juventus (PHOTO)]. Lajmi.net (in Albanian). 30 August 2016.
  37. ↑ Andi Zeqiri at Soccerway OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
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