Florent Hoti

Last updated

Florent Hoti
Florent Hoti October 2017.jpg
Hoti playing for Rochdale U18 in October 2017
Personal information
Full name Florent Hoti [1]
Date of birth (2000-12-11) 11 December 2000 (age 24) [2]
Place of birth Manchester, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.82 m) [3]
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
FC Halifax Town
Number 18
Youth career
2011–2018 Rochdale
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2018–2019 Rochdale 0 (0)
2020–2022 Dundee United 9 (0)
2020–2021Forfar Athletic (loan) 6 (0)
2022–2023 Arbroath 5 (0)
2023 Tranmere Rovers 5 (0)
2023– FC Halifax Town 62 (10)
International career
2021–2022 Kosovo U21 7 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:29, 14 October 2025 (UTC)

Florent Hoti (born 11 December 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League club Halifax Town. He has previously played for Rochdale, Dundee United and Arbroath, and had a loan spell at Forfar Athletic. Born in England, he is a youth international for Kosovo.

Contents

Club career

Early career

Having been part of Rochdale's academy since the age of 10, Hoti signed for the club on a two-year scholarship in 2017. [4] He made his debut for Rochdale on 4 September 2018, coming on as a 79th minute substitute in a 2–1 home victory against Bury in the EFL Trophy. [5] On 7 November 2018, he started in Rochdale's 2–2 draw at home to Leicester City Under-23s in the EFL Trophy. [6] Hoti was offered his first professional contract with the club at the end of the 2018–19 season, [7] though Hoti never signed this contract. [8] [9]

Playing in Scotland

Hoti had a trial at Scottish Premiership club Dundee United during the 2019–20 season, [10] [11] and again in August 2020, [12] and signed a two-year contract with the club for an undisclosed fee the following month. [13] [14] He joined Scottish League One club Forfar Athletic on loan in October, [15] then returned to Dundee United in January 2021 following the suspension of the lower divisions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [16] He made his debut for Dundee United on 10 April 2021 in a 1–0 Scottish Premiership win away to Hamilton Academical, with Dundee United manager Micky Mellon stating that "he has come on and showed what a lad of great promise he is." [17] He made three further appearances in the 2020–21 season. [18] He was released at the end of the 2021–22 season, [19] having played just 9 times that season after failing to displace the club's regular midfielders such as Jeando Fuchs, Calum Butcher and Ian Harkes. [20] [21]

After a trial spell with Scottish League One club Peterhead, during which he played twice, [22] Hoti signed for Scottish Championship side Arbroath on a short-term deal on 11 November 2022. [23] On 25 January 2023, Arbroath confirmed that Florent had left the club, [24] with Hoti having made 7 appearances for them. [25]

Return to England

In March 2023, Hoti joined EFL League Two side Tranmere Rovers on a short-term deal after a successful trial. [26] He was released at the end of the season, [27] having made 5 appearances for the club. [25]

On 18 July 2023, Hoti joined National League club FC Halifax Town on a two-year deal after a successful trial. [9] [28] Hoti had suffered a hamstring injury during his trial which left him injured for the start of the season, [9] and he made his debut for the club on 26 September 2023 as a substitute in a 0–0 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge. [29] He made his full debut for the club in the following match, and scored his first career goal, as Halifax were defeated 3–2 by Eastleigh on 30 September. [30] [31] He suffered a shoulder injury in a 2–2 draw against AFC Fylde on 21 November, [32] which he returned from for Halifax's opening match of 2024, a 0–0 draw with Altrincham. [30] He played 25 times, scoring 5 goals during the 2023–24 National League, [30] as Halifax finished 7th and qualified for the National League play-offs. [33] Hoti scored as a substitute in Halifax's play-off quarter-final tie against Solihull Moors but the club were knocked out of the play-offs after losing 4–2. [34]

At the end of the 2024–25 season, Halifax triggered an option in Hoti's contract to extend it by a further year. [35] Hoti sustained a knee injury in Halifax's final pre-season match ahead of the 2025–26 season, which left him injured for "several months" and led to him having surgery. [36] [37]

International career

Hoti was selected to participate in an Albania national under-21 team's training camp and practice matches in March 2021, but was unable to join the squad due to COVID-related travel restrictions. [38] Two months later, he received a call-up from Kosovo national under-21 team for a 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Andorra U21, [39] and made his debut after being named in the starting line-up. [40] Hoti made 7 appearances in total for Kosovo U21. [41]

Style of play

Hoti is a midfielder and has described himself as a "technical midfielder with flair". [8] Upon signing for Halifax, Hoti claimed "I'm best when I'm on the ball but I have the other side to my game as well where I'm not afraid to put a tackle in and do the dirty work". [9]

Personal life

Hoti was born in Manchester, England, to Kosovo-Albanian parents from the Hoti tribe. This makes him eligible to represent all three nations of England, Albania and Kosovo internationally. [8] Hoti also grew up in Manchester and supported Manchester United. [9]

Career statistics

As of end of 2024-25 season
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup [a] League cup [b] OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rochdale 2018–19 [42] EFL League One 0000002 [c] 020
2019–20 [43] EFL League One0000000000
Total0000002020
Dundee United 2020–21 [18] Scottish Premiership 4000000040
2021–22 [20] Scottish Premiership5000400090
Total90004000130
Forfar Athletic (loan) 2020–21 [18] Scottish League One 6010200090
Arbroath 2022–23 [25] Scottish Championship 5010100070
Tranmere Rovers 2022–23 [25] EFL League Two 5000000050
FC Halifax Town 2023–24 [44] National League 25500001 [d] 1266
2024–25 [44] National League37500004 [e] 0415
2025–26 [44] National League0000000000
Total62100000516711
Career total871020707110311
  1. Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
  2. Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup
  3. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  4. Appearance(s) in National League play-offs
  5. One appearance in National League play-offs, one appearance in FA Trophy, two appearances in National League Cup

References

  1. "Club list of registered players: As at 18th May 2019: Rochdale" (PDF). English Football League. p. 63. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  2. Florent Hoti at Soccerway. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  3. "Florent Hoti". dundeeunitedfc.co.uk. Dundee United F.C. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  4. "Introducing 2017/18 First Year Scholars". www.rochdaleafc.co.uk. Rochdale A.F.C. 4 July 2017. Archived from the original on 24 November 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  5. "Rochdale 2-1 Bury (Checkatrade Trophy) - Match Report". www.rochdaleafc.co.uk. Rochdale A.F.C. 4 September 2018. Archived from the original on 24 November 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  6. "Report | Dale 2-2 Leicester City Under-21s (3-4 Pens)". www.rochdaleafc.co.uk. Rochdale A.F.C. 7 November 2018. Archived from the original on 24 November 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  7. "Retained/Released List 2018/19". www.rochdaleafc.co.uk. Rochdale A.F.C. 8 May 2019. Archived from the original on 24 November 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 Woodger, Calum (13 April 2021). "Florent Hoti: The cross-border kid aiming to hit the big time with Dundee United after making long-awaited debut". The Courier. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 ""I think that's where I'll thrive, going into a game knowing that I need to get us playing"". Halifax Courier. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  10. "Hoti is Tangerine". Dundee United F.C. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  11. "Florent Hoti 'buzzing' to join up with Dundee United". FourFourTwo. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  12. Burns, Scott (26 August 2020). "Dundee United transfer latest as midfielder Florent Hoti joins on trial". Daily Record.
  13. Roache, Ian (11 September 2020). "Midfielder Florent Hoti 'buzzing' after signing two-year deal with Dundee United". The Courier . Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  14. "Dundee Utd sign midfielder Hoti". BBC Sport. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  15. "United midfielder joins the Loons". forfarathletic.co.uk. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  16. "Loan players return". Dundee United F.C. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  17. "Brian Rice takes the positives out of a damaging defeat for Hamilton". 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021 via BT.com.
  18. 1 2 3 "Games played by Florent Hoti in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  19. "Dundee United squad update". Dundee United F.C. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  20. 1 2 "Games played by Florent Hoti in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  21. Temple, Alan (3 July 2024). "Where are 6 signings from Dundee United's last promotion signing spree?". The Courier. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  22. "Florent Hoti reveals Dundee United disappointment as he aims to make most of Arbroath 'opportunity'". The Courier. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  23. "Florent Hoti". Arbroath FC. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  24. "Florent Hoti". Arbroath FC. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  25. 1 2 3 4 "Games played by Florent Hoti in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  26. "Florent Hoti: Tranmere Rovers sign ex-Arbroath midfielder on short-term deal". BBC. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  27. "Tranmere Rovers in talks with keeper Murphy, 41". BBC Sport. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  28. "Florent Finalises Deal". FC Halifax Town. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  29. ""With every 0-0 draw we're slipping slightly further away from where we want to be"". Halifax Courier. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  30. 1 2 3 "Games played by Florent Hoti in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  31. "FC Halifax Town 2-3 Eastleigh". BBC Sport. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  32. ""Whether or not he'll start is a question mark but I'm hopeful he'll figure at some point on Saturday"". Halifax Courier. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  33. "National League standings 2023-24". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  34. "Solihull Moors 4-2 FC Halifax Town - Hosts head into National League play-off semi-finals". BBC Sport. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  35. "Shaymen announce retained list with options triggered on six players". Halifax Courier. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  36. "Huge blow for Shaymen as midfielder sidelined for "several months", Town boss confirms". Halifax Courier. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  37. ""He's progressing quite well" - Town boss Lakeland issues injury update as midfielder nears return to action". Halifax Courier. 7 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  38. "International joy and COVID-19 despair for midfielder". Dundee United F.C. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  39. "Flo Hoti receives Kosovo under-21 call-up". Dundee United F.C. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  40. "Formacionet zyrtare, Kosova U21 – Andorra U21: Dardanët nisin kualifikimet për Kampionatin Evropian" [Official formations, Kosovo U21 – Andorra U21: Dardanians start qualifying for the European Championship] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 8 June 2021.
  41. "Florent Hoti » Internationals". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  42. "Games played by Florent Hoti in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  43. "Games played by Florent Hoti in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  44. 1 2 3 "Florent Hoti". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 October 2025.