List of Albania international footballers born outside Albania

Last updated

This is a list of Albania international footballers who were born outside Albania. Players born in countries outside Albania including those born in diaspora may qualify for the Albania team through Albanian parents or grandparents, or through residency in Albania and subsequent naturalisation as Albanian citizens.

Contents

In the Treaty of London (1913) the newly Independent Albania left territories in boundering countries with substantial Albanian minorities. As mentioned above, the Republic of Albania and the Albanian Football Association opened their ways to footballers of Albanian descent even born outside the territories. In fact the first footballer born outside Albania to represent the national side was Italian ethnic goalkeeper Giacomo Poselli which was born in Greece and debuted in the 1946 Balkan Cup a competition which Albania won. Instead the first Albanian origin footballer was fellow goalkeeper Arjan Beqaj born in Prizren of Kosovo, which at the time was playing for Albanian Superliga competers Partizani Tirana and managed his debut in 1998. It was succeeded by fellow Kosovan born Besnik Hasi two years later and by another Kosovan origin Lorik Cana after another two years, as both midfielders became captains subsequently during their last years and Cana himself holds the record for most appearances with a tally of 93. All 4 upcomers were managed by German coach Hans-Peter Briegel in his arrival in 2003, which himself managed another upcomings especially from his country's championship Bundesliga bringing 3 components Mehmet Dragusha in 2003 and Bekim Kastrati & Besart Berisha in 2006, but also the duo of Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava defenders Armend Dallku and Debatik Curri.

List of players

Key
* Current internationals
Caps Appearances
PosPositions
GK Goalkeeper
DF Defender
MF Midfielder
FW Forward

Capped players

As of 19 November 2024
NamePlace of birthOriginPos.CapsGoalsFirst capLast capRef
Lorik Cana Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Pristina Gjakova DF 93120032016 [1]
Etrit Berisha Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Pristina Pristina GK 81020122024* [2]
Armend Dallku Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Vushtrri Vushtrri DF 64120052013 [3]
Berat Djimsiti Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Zürich Bujanovac DF 61120152024* [4]
Amir Abrashi Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Bischofszell Gjakova MF 51120132024* [5]
Mërgim Mavraj Flag of Germany.svg Hanau Istog DF 50320122019 [6]
Ermir Lenjani Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Gjilan Gjilan MF 45520132022* [7]
Frédéric Veseli Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Renens DF 45020152023* [8]
Debatik Curri Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Pristina Pristina DF 44120062014 [9]
Ardian Ismajli Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Majac Majac DF 44320182024* [10]
Ylber Ramadani Flag of Germany.svg Starnberg Shtime MF 44120182024* [11]
Arjan Beqaj Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Prizren Prizren GK 43019982011 [12]
Flag of the United Nations.svg Besnik Hasi Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Gjakova Gjakova MF 43220002007 [13]
Thomas Strakosha Flag of Greece.svg Athens Memaliaj GK 37020172024* [14]
Migjen Basha Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Lausanne Suva Reka MF 34320132019 [15]
Arlind Ajeti Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Basel Podujevo DF 32120142024* [16]
Nedim Bajrami Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Zürich Tetovo MF 32620212024* [17]
Taulant Xhaka Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Basel Podujevo MF 31120142019* [18]
Burim Kukeli Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Gjakova Gjakova MF 27020122017 [19]
Taulant Seferi Flag of North Macedonia.svg Kumanovo Kumanovo MF 26320192024* [20]
Armando Broja Flag of England.svg Slough Koplik FW 23520202024* [21]
Mario Mitaj Flag of Greece.svg Athens Vermosh DF 23020212024* [22]
Marash Kumbulla Flag of Italy.svg Peschiera del Garda Shkodër DF 22020192024* [23]
Jasir Asani Flag of North Macedonia.svg Skopje Skopje FW 22520232024* [24]
Flag of Kosovo.svg Samir Ujkani Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Vushtrri Vushtrri GK 20020092013 [25]
Enea Mihaj Flag of Greece.svg Rhodes Pogradec DF 19020182024* [26]
Iván Balliu Flag of Spain.svg Caldes de Malavella DF 17020172024* [27]
Flag of Kosovo.svg Besart Berisha Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Pristina Pristina FW 17120062009 [28]
Shkëlzen Gashi Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Zürich Klina FW 17120132016* [29]
Valdet Rama Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Mitrovica Mitrovica MF 15320132015 [30]
Naser Aliji Flag of North Macedonia.svg Kumanovo Kumanovo DF 14020152024* [31]
Eros Grezda Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Gjakova Gjakova MF 13120172019* [32]
Kastriot Dermaku Flag of Italy.svg Scandiano Kamenica DF 13120182021* [33]
Mehmet Dragusha Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Pristina Pristina MF 11120032005 [34]
Arbër Hoxha Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Istog Istog FW 11020242024* [35]
Mirlind Daku Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Prilepnica Prilepnica FW 9120232024* [36]
Ahmed Januzi Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Vushtrri Vushtrri FW 8020102013 [37]
Giacomo Poselli Flag of Greece.svg Thessaloniki Vlorë (by naturalization) [a] GK 7019461948 [38]
Flag of Kosovo.svg Alban Meha Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Mitrovica Skenderaj MF 7220122015 [39]
Flag of Kosovo.svg Herolind Shala Flag of Norway.svg Porsgrunn Drenas MF 6020142016 [40]
Azdren Llullaku Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Istog Istog FW 6020162017* [41]
Emanuele Ndoj Flag of Italy.svg Catania Rubik MF 6120182019* [42]
Giacomo Vrioni Flag of Italy.svg San Severino Marche FW 6020182022* [43]
Arbnor Muçolli Flag of Denmark.svg Fredericia Podujevo MF 6020222024* [44]
Liridon Latifi Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Pristina Pristina MF 5020172017* [45]
Egzon Binaku Flag of Sweden.svg Åmål Mitrovica DF 5020182018* [46]
Arbnor Muja Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Mitrovica Mitrovica FW 5020232023* [47]
Kamer Qaka Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Peja Peja MF 4020172018* [48]
Lindon Selahi Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Namur Kumanovo MF 4020192020* [49]
Marvin Çuni Flag of Germany.svg Freising Peja FW 4020232023* [50]
Blerim Rrustemi Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Vushtrri Vushtrri DF 3020072007 [51]
Agon Mehmeti Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Podujevo Podujevo MF 3020132013 [52]
Enis Gavazaj Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Prizren Prizren FW 3020182018* [53]
Adrian Bajrami Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Langenthal Ohrid DF 3020222022* [54]
Anis Mehmeti Flag of England.svg Islington Burrel MF 3020232023* [55]
Medon Berisha Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Münsingen Kaçanik MF 3020242024* [56]
Bekim Kastrati Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Peja Peja FW 2020062006 [57]
Flag of Kosovo.svg Fidan Aliti Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Binningen Preševo DF 2020142014 [58]
Flag of Kosovo.svg Amir Rrahmani Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Pristina Skenderaj DF 2120142015 [59]
Flag of Kosovo.svg Milot Rashica Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Vushtrri Vushtrri MF 2020162016 [60]
Valon Ahmedi Flag of North Macedonia.svg Ohrid Ohrid MF 2020172017* [61]
Bujar Lika Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Ferizaj Ferizaj MF 2020182018* [62]
Herdi Prenga Flag of Croatia.svg Zadar Mirditë DF 2020182018* [63]
Stivian Janku Flag of Greece.svg Ioannina DF 2020222022* [64]
Agonit Sallaj Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Gjakova Gjakova DF 1020112011 [65]
Flag of Kosovo.svg Mërgim Brahimi Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Istog Istog MF 1020122012 [66]
Vullnet Basha Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Lausanne Suva Reka MF 1020132013 [67]
Arbnor Fejzullahu Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Serbia.svg Preševo Preševo DF 1020152015 [68]
Astrit Ajdarević Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Pristina Medveđa MF 1020172017* [69]
Ramën Çepele Flag of Italy.svg Conegliano Fier DF 1020202020* [70]
Esat Mala Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Prizren Prizren MF 1020222022* [71]
Ardit Toli Flag of Greece.svg Ioannina DF 1020222022* [72]
Sebastjan Spahiu Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Mouscron Shkodër MF 1020242024* [73]

By country of birth

CountryTotal
Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo [b] 33
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland 12
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 6
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 5
Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 4
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 3
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 2
Flag of England.svg  England 2
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 1
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia [c] 1
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 1
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ↑ Ethnic Italian who was naturalised as an Albanian citizen during his time with Flamurtari Vlorë.
  2. ↑ Kosovo as part of Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro at the time the players were born.
  3. ↑ Serbia as part of Serbia and Montenegro at the time the player was born and excluding the part when Kosovo was part of Serbia before 2006.

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References

  1. ↑ Lorik Cana at EU-Football.info
  2. ↑ Etrit Berisha at EU-Football.info
  3. ↑ Armend Dallku at EU-Football.info
  4. ↑ Berat Djimsiti at EU-Football.info
  5. ↑ Amir Abrashi at EU-Football.info
  6. ↑ Mërgim Mavraj at EU-Football.info
  7. ↑ Ermir Lenjani at EU-Football.info
  8. ↑ Frédéric Veseli at EU-Football.info
  9. ↑ Debatik Curri at EU-Football.info
  10. ↑ Ardian Ismajli at EU-Football.info
  11. ↑ Ylber Ramadani at EU-Football.info
  12. ↑ Arjan Beqaj at EU-Football.info
  13. ↑ Besnik Hasi at EU-Football.info
  14. ↑ Thomas Strakosha at EU-Football.info
  15. ↑ Migjen Basha at EU-Football.info
  16. ↑ Arlind Ajeti at EU-Football.info
  17. ↑ "Nedim Bajrami". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  18. ↑ Taulant Xhaka at EU-Football.info
  19. ↑ Burim Kukeli at EU-Football.info
  20. ↑ Taulant Seferi at EU-Football.info
  21. ↑ Armando Broja at EU-Football.info
  22. ↑ Mario Mitaj at EU-Football.info
  23. ↑ Marash Kumbulla at EU-Football.info
  24. ↑ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Jasir Asani (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  25. ↑ Samir Ujkani at EU-Football.info
  26. ↑ Enea Mihaj at EU-Football.info
  27. ↑ Iván Balliu at EU-Football.info
  28. ↑ Besart Berisha at EU-Football.info
  29. ↑ Shkëlzen Gashi at EU-Football.info
  30. ↑ Valdet Rama at EU-Football.info
  31. ↑ Naser Aliji at EU-Football.info
  32. ↑ Eros Grezda at EU-Football.info
  33. ↑ Kastriot Dermaku at EU-Football.info
  34. ↑ Mehmet Dragusha at EU-Football.info
  35. ↑ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Arbër Hoxha (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
  36. ↑ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Mirlind Daku (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  37. ↑ Ahmed Januzi at EU-Football.info
  38. ↑ Giacomo Poselli at EU-Football.info
  39. ↑ Alban Meha at EU-Football.info
  40. ↑ Herolind Shala at EU-Football.info
  41. ↑ Azdren Llullaku at EU-Football.info
  42. ↑ Emanuele Ndoj at EU-Football.info
  43. ↑ Giacomo Vrioni at EU-Football.info
  44. ↑ "Arbnor Muçolli". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  45. ↑ Liridon Latifi at EU-Football.info
  46. ↑ Egzon Binaku at EU-Football.info
  47. ↑ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Arbnor Muja (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  48. ↑ Kamer Qaka at EU-Football.info
  49. ↑ Lindon Selahi at EU-Football.info
  50. ↑ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Marvin Çuni (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  51. ↑ Blerim Rrustemi at EU-Football.info
  52. ↑ Agon Mehmeti at EU-Football.info
  53. ↑ Enis Gavazaj at EU-Football.info
  54. ↑ "Adrian Bajrami". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  55. ↑ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Anis Mehmeti (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  56. ↑ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Medon Berisha (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
  57. ↑ Bekim Kastrati at EU-Football.info
  58. ↑ Fidan Aliti at EU-Football.info
  59. ↑ Amir Rrahmani at EU-Football.info
  60. ↑ Milot Rashica at EU-Football.info
  61. ↑ Valon Ahmedi at EU-Football.info
  62. ↑ Bujar Lika at EU-Football.info
  63. ↑ Herdi Prenga at EU-Football.info
  64. ↑ "Stivian Janku". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  65. ↑ Agonit Sallaj at EU-Football.info
  66. ↑ Mërgim Brahimi at EU-Football.info
  67. ↑ Vullnet Basha at EU-Football.info
  68. ↑ Arbnor Fejzullahu at EU-Football.info
  69. ↑ Astrit Hajdari at EU-Football.info
  70. ↑ Ramën Çepele at EU-Football.info
  71. ↑ "Esat Mala". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  72. ↑ "Ardit Toli". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  73. ↑ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Sebastjan Spahiu (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
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