Gentian Selmani

Gentian Selmani

Personal information
Date of birth	(1998-03-09) 9 March 1998 (age 25)
Place of birth	Krujë, Albania
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Tirana
Number	23
Youth career
2002–2014	Partizani
2011–2013	→ Olimpic (loan)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2015	Kastrioti	14	(0)
2015–2019	Laçi	118	(1)
2019–2021	Menemenspor	50	(0)
2021–2023	Boluspor	45	(0)
2023	Laçi	17	(0)
2023–	Tirana	0	(0)
International career‡
2014	Albania U17	1	(0)
2014–2016	Albania U19	3	(0)
2017–2020	Albania U21	17	(1)
2021–	Albania	4	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 April 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 April 2023

Gentian Selmani (born 9 March 1998) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Albanian club Tirana and the Albania national football team.

Club career

Early career

Selmani began playing football as a young child and was coached by former Albania national team goalkeeper Perlat Musta at Partizani from the age of just 5. He joined the Olimpic youth setup in 2011, where he remained for two years before returning to Partizani in 2013 where he joined the under-17 side as a 15-year-old. ^[1] After impressive performances for the under-17s he was invited by the head coach Shpëtim Duro to train with the first team during the 2014–15 season and he was an unused substitute in the Kategoria Superiore for a home game against Kukësi on 23 November 2014. ^[2] This, however, proved to be the closest Selmani got to first team action for the club as he left only months later.

Kastrioti

He joined Kategoria e Parë side Kastrioti in January 2015 and immediately established himself as the club's first choice goalkeeper, making his professional debut on 7 February 2015 in an away game against Iliria that his side lost 1–0. ^[3] In total he made 14 league appearances during the second half of the season, as his side finished 5th and safely avoided relegation. After establishing himself as a first choice keeper at the age of 16, he attracted the interest of Kategoria Superiore sides and left Kastrioti at the end of the 2014–15 season in order to search for a new club in the top flight.

Laçi

On 1 August 2015, Selmani completed a transfer to Kategoria Superiore side Laçi for an undisclosed fee. ^[4] Priror to that, he had travelled to Germany where he had been training with the goalkeeping team at Bundesliga side Augsburg. ^[4]

He was given squad number 1, and made his debut eleven days later in the Albanian Supercup against Albanian champions Skënderbeu where Laçi won after penalty shoot-out. ^[5] His decisive save versus Bruno Lulaj made Laçi lift their first ever trophy. Selmani played his first Kategoria Superiore match on 21 August in the opening match of 2015–16 season, conceding a free-kick in the second half as Laçi begun their campaign with a draw. ^[6] He played another match, before making way for veteran Miroslav Vujadinović, returning in the lineup only in December, keeping his first clean-sheet in the 4–0 home win versus bottom side Tërbuni. ^[7]

Selmani became the starting keeper in the second part of the season, finishing it with 19 league appearances, keeping 5 clean-sheets as Laçi retained their top flight status. He also played 7 matches in team's run in cup, including the final against Kukësi where Laçi was defeated on penalty shoot-out. ^[8]

Selmani's spot as regular keeper became permanent in the 2016–17 season, in which he played 33 league matches out of 36 with Laçi escaping relegation in the final matchday at the expense of Tirana. ^[9] He kept 15 clean-sheets throughout the season, and was ranked 5th in the clean-sheet list. ^[10] He played his first match as skipper on 1 February 2017 in a cup match versus Skënderbeu, receiving the armband in 60th minute following the substitution of Erjon Vucaj. ^[11] He set the record by becoming the youngest ever captain of Laçi. ^[11] His 50th Kategoria Superiore appearance occurred later 11 May 2017 in the goalless draw versus his ex side Partizani. ^[12]

In the 2017–18 season, Selmani played 31 league appearances as Laçi finished fourth to return to UEFA Europa League after three years. ^[13] He became the permanent captain in the second part of the season. ^[14] In March 2018, he suffered a muscular injury which kept him sidelined for a month, returning on action on 22 April in the draw against Kukësi. ^[15] Selmani played 5 cup matches as Laçi lost the final again, this time at the hands of Skënderbeu. ^[16] At the end of the season, Selmani was named as one of the talents of the season by association "Sporti na bashkon". ^[17]

Selmani made his 100th Kategoria Superiore appearance in a 2–1 win over Tirana on 15 December 2018. ^[18] Later, on 11 February, he scored his first goal in club level, netting a late penalty kick in a 2–1 away defeat at Skënderbeu. ^[19]

Spells in Turkey

In August 2019, Selmani joined Turkish side Menemenspor in the TFF First League, inking a two-year contract. ^[20]

In January 2021, Selmani signed with fellow First League side Boluspor. ^[21]

Laçi return

On 1 February 2023, Selmani made a surprise return to Laçi by signing a deal until the end of 2022–23 season. ^[22]

Tirana

On 6 June 2023, Tirana signed with Selmani on a one-year contract. ^[23]

International career

Under-17

Selmani was called up by Albania national under-17 football team coach Džemal Mustedanagić to participate in the 2015 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round on match-dates 8–13 October 2014. ^[24] He debuted in international level for Albania U17 in the closing group match against San Marino U17 by playing the full 80-minutes match which finished in a 5–1 victory but anyway were not enough as Albania U17 were eliminated since the second match as they lost both first group matches. ^[25] For two other matches, Selmani was an unused substitute as a second choice behind the PAOK FC academy goalkeeper Jorgo Muça. ^[26]

Under-19

He advanced higherly at international level as he was called up in Albania national under-19 football team by coach Altin Lala for the double Friendly matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina U19 on 21 & 23 April 2015. ^[27] Selmani was called up by a new appointed coach of Albania U19 Arjan Bellaj for two last friendly matches before the competitive tournament start against Kosovo U19 on 13 & 15 October 2015. ^[28] His impressive form shown in friendly matches convinced the coach Arjan Bellaj to include him in the squad to participate in the 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification from 12–17 November 2015. ^[29] In the opening match against Austria U19, Albania U19 played with Elhan Kastrati as a first choice in a 2–1 loss. ^[30] Selmani played the full 90-minutes match in the second match-day against Georgia U19 but lost against 1–0. ^[31] For the closing match against Wales U19 Selmani was an unused substitute in a 3–2 win which resulted an elimination from the tournament for Albania U19 as they were ranked in the 3rd out 4 place collecting 1 win, 2 losses and a total of 4-5 goals collected. ^[32]

Under-21

Following his arrival at Laçi and his games there as a starter, Selmani was called up in Albania national under-21 football team by coach Redi Jupi for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against Israel & Portugal on 3 & 8 September 2015 as an alternative 3rd choice, after two regular national members Thomas Strakosha & Aldo Teqja. ^[33] He wasn't included in the 18-man squad who participated in both qualifying matches. ^[26]

He was re-invited at the national under-21 side by a new coach Alban Bushi for a double friendly match against Moldova U21 on 25 & 27 March 2017. ^[34]

Selmani was called up for the Friendly match against France U21 on 5 June 2017 and the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification opening match against Estonia U21 on 12 June 2017. ^[35] He made his competitive debut for Albania U21 against Estonia U21 on 12 June 2017 playing the full 90-minutes match and kept the clean-sheet by making several notable saves to help his side to take a goalless draw. ^[36]

He received his first call up for the Albania under-20 side by same coach of the under-21 team Alban Bushi for the friendly match against Georgia U20 on 14 November 2017. ^[37]

Selmani scored his first professional goal on 8 June 2018 by netting in the 93rd minute in a friendly versus Belarus, preventing his side from losing. ^[38]

In total, earned 17 caps for the under-21 team from 2017 to 2020, and scored one goal. ^{[39] [40] [41]}

Senior

On 25 May 2018, Selmani received an urgent call-up from Albania for the friendly matches against Kosovo and Ukraine, to replace the injured Thomas Strakosha. ^[42] He made his debut for the senior team on 5 June 2021 in a friendly against Wales, he played the full game and kept the clean sheet in a 0–0 draw. ^[43]

Personal life

Selmani is a fan of Italian club Juventus and his favourite footballer is goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. ^[44]

Career statistics

Club

As of 11 February 2019 ^{[45] [1] [46]}

Club statistics

Club	Season	League			Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Partizani	2014–15	Kategoria Superiore	0	0	—		—		—		0	0
Kastrioti	2014–15	Kategoria e Parë	14	0	—		—		—		14	0
Laçi	2015–16	Kategoria Superiore	19	0	7	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	27	0
	2016–17		33	0	3	0	—		—		36	0
	2017–18		31	0	5	0	—		—		36	0
	2018–19		21	1	1	0	4 [lower-alpha 2]	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	27	1
	Total		104	0	16	0	4	0	2	0	126	1
Career total			118	0	16	0	4	0	2	0	140	1

1. All appearance(s) in Albanian Supercup
2. All appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League

Honours

Club

Laçi

• Albanian Cup Runner-up: 2015–16
• Albanian Supercup: 2015

References

1. Gentian Selmani profile FSHF.org
2. Partizani 2–0 FK Kukësi Soccerway
3. Iliria 1–0 Kastrioti Soccerway
4. "Portieri Selmani i bashkohet Laçit" [Goalkeeper Selmani joins Laçi] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 1 August 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
5. "17-vjeçari hero: Dorezat e sotme do t'i ruaj tërë jetën" [17-years old hero: I will keep forever today's gloves] (in Albanian). minuta90.com. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
6. "Kategoria Superiore, Partizani dhe Laçi e nisin me barazim" [Albanian Superliga, Partizani and Laçi starts with a draw] (in Albanian). Top-Channel.tv. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
7. "Laçi shkatërron Tërbunin 4-0, pukjanët luajnë 52 minuta me 10 lojtarë" [Laçi destroys Tërbuni 4-0, pukjanët plays with 10 players for 52 minutes] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 23 December 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
8. "Kukesi fiton Kupën e Shqipërisë, Laçi jashtë Europës (VIDEO)" [Kukësi wins Albanian Cup, Laçi out of Europe] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 22 May 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
9. "Tragjike, Tirana bie nga kategoria për herë të parë në histori" [Tragical, Tirana relegated from superliga for the first time in history]. Gazeta Shqip (in Albanian). 27 May 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
10. "Summary - Superliga - Albania, Results, fixtures, tables and news". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
11. "Vetëm 18 vjeç, portieri Selmani merr shiritin te Laçi" [Only 18-years old, goalkeeper Selmani takes the armband at Laçi] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
12. "Partizani Tirana vs. Laçi 0 – 0". Soccerway. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
13. "RENDITJA/ Skënderbeu kampion, Vllaznia e Lushnja në "greminë". Shikoni tabelën përfundimtare" [RANKING/ Skënderbeu champion, Vllaznia and Lushnja in "abyss". See the eventual table] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
14. "Kapiteni Selmani qetëson Laçin: I marrim ndeshjet me radhë" [Captain Selmani calms Laçi: We take the matches alternately] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
15. "Goditje e rëndë për Laçin, kapiteni do të mungojë 3 javë" [Heavy blow for Laçi, the captain will miss three weeks] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 25 March 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
16. "Skëndërbeu është fituesi i Kupës së Shqipërisë 2018" [Skënderbeu is the winner of 2018 Albanian Cup] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 27 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
17. ""Talenti i Sezonit" në Superligë, "Kristali" i Luftëtarit merr vendin e parë" ["Talent of the Season" in Superliga, "Crystal" of Luftëtari takes the first place] (in Albanian). Koha Jonë. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
18. "Tirana nuk shmang dot humbjen në Laç" [Tirana doesn't avoid the loss in Laç] (in Albanian). Top-Channel.tv. 15 December 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
19. "Skënderbeu rikthehet te fitoret, Selmani i bën të gjitha (VIDEO)" [Skënderbeu returns to wins, Selmani does it all (VIDEO)] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
20. "FOTO/Zyrtare, Balaj firmos me ekipin e ri, Selmani kalon në Turqi" [Official, Balaj signs with the new team, Selmani goes in Turkey] (in Albanian). BalkanWeb.com. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
21. Adriatik Balla (30 January 2021). "National goalkeepers / Selmani signs with Boluspor, Strakosha avoids operation" (in Albanian). Sot.com.al. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
22. "EKSKLUZIVE/ Gentian Selmani kthehet në Superiore, portieri i Kombëtares i bashkohet klubit të ri" [Gentian Selmani returns to Superliga, the national team goalkeeper joins the new club] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
23. "Zyrtare: Tirana firmos me portierin Gentian Selmani" [Official: Tirana signs with goalkeeper Gentian Selmani] (in Albanian). Gazeta Blic. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
24. Kombëtarja U-17, gati per Eliminatoret Archived 2017-02-17 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
25. Albania U17 vs. San Marino U17 - 13 October 2014 Soccerway
26. Gentian Selmani matches Soccerway
27. Zbulohen emrat qe Altin Lala ka grumbulluar per 2 miqesoret e U-19 Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Sportpress.al
28. U-19 miqesore me Kosoven Archived 2016-03-12 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
29. U-19, nis grumbullimi për eliminatoret Archived 2015-11-27 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
30. Austria U19 vs. Albania U19 - 12 November 2015 Soccerway
31. Under-19 2016 - Albania-Georgia UEFA.com
32. Summary - UEFA U19 Championship - Europe - Results, fixtures, tables and news Soccerway
33. Grumbullohet kombetarja U-21 Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
34. "Kombëtarja U-21, pak risi në miqësoret ndaj Moldavisë" [Under-21 national team, less innovation against Moldova] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
35. Alban Bushi shpall listën e U21 për Francën dhe Estoninë Archived 2017-07-05 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
36. Under-21 - Albania-Estonia UEFA.com
37. "U-21, Bushi ne konference per shtyp" (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
38. "SHQIPËRIA U-21, BARAZON 1-1 MIQËSOREN E DYTË NDAJ BJELLORUSISË U-21" [Albania U-21, draw 1-1 in the second friendly versus Belarus U-21] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
39. "Gentian Selmani". Albanian Football Association (in Albanian). Retrieved 5 June 2021.
40. Gentian Selmani at WorldFootball.net
41. "Shqiperia U21 – Moldavia U21, perfundon ne barazim" [Albania U21 – Moldova U21, ends in a draw]. Albanian Football Association (in Albanian). 25 March 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
42. "Strakosha i dëmtuar, e zëvendëson Selmani i Laçit" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 25 May 2018.
43. "Wales v Albania game report". ESPN. 5 June 2021.
44. "Selmani viziton ekipin e zemrës, portieri i Laçit përfundon në qendrën mjeksore të Juventusit" [Selmani visit his heart team, Laçi's goalie ends up in Juventus' medical center] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 7 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
45. Gentian Selmani at Soccerway. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
46. Gentian Selmani – UEFA competition record ( archive )

External links

• Gentian Selmani at Soccerway
• Gentian Selmani at the Albanian Football Association (in Albanian and English)
• Gentian Selmani – UEFA competition record ( archive )