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 Independent Albania territories were separated, where Sanjak of Novi Pazar, Preševo Valley and Kosovo was given to Yugoslavia, a part of Malësia including Tuzi Municipality to Montenegro, Ilirida to FYR Macedonia and Chamëria among Epirus region and other parts of Vilayet of Janina to Greece. 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 debutted 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 24 June 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]
Mërgim Mavraj Flag of Germany.svg Hanau Istog DF 50320122019 [5]
Amir Abrashi Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Bischofszell Gjakova MF 50120132022* [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]
Arjan Beqaj Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Prizren Prizren GK 43019982011 [10]
Flag of the United Nations.svg Besnik Hasi Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Gjakova Gjakova MF 43220002007 [11]
Ardian Ismajli Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Majac Majac DF 38220182024* [12]
Ylber Ramadani Flag of Germany.svg Starnberg Ferizaj MF 38120182024* [13]
Migjen Basha Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Lausanne Suva Reka MF 34320132019 [14]
Taulant Xhaka Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Basel Podujevo MF 31120142019* [15]
Thomas Strakosha Flag of Greece.svg Athens Memaliaj GK 31020172024* [16]
Arlind Ajeti Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Basel Podujevo DF 29120142024* [17]
Burim Kukeli Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Gjakova Gjakova MF 27020122017 [18]
Nedim Bajrami Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Zürich Tetovo MF 26520212024* [19]
Armando Broja Flag of England.svg Slough Koplik FW 23520202024* [20]
Taulant Seferi Flag of North Macedonia.svg Kumanovo Kumanovo MF 21320192024* [21]
Flag of Kosovo.svg Samir Ujkani Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Vushtrri Vushtrri GK 20020092013 [22]
Enea Mihaj Flag of Greece.svg Rhodes Pogradec DF 19020182024* [23]
Marash Kumbulla Flag of Italy.svg Peschiera del Garda Shkodër DF 19020192024* [24]
Flag of Kosovo.svg Besart Berisha Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Pristina Pristina FW 17120062009 [25]
Shkëlzen Gashi Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Zürich Klina FW 17120132016* [26]
Mario Mitaj Flag of Greece.svg Athens Vermosh DF 17020212024* [27]
Jasir Asani Flag of North Macedonia.svg Skopje Skopje FW 16420232024* [28]
Valdet Rama Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Mitrovica Mitrovica MF 15320132015 [29]
Naser Aliji Flag of North Macedonia.svg Kumanovo Kumanovo DF 14020152024* [30]
Iván Balliu Flag of Spain.svg Caldes de Malavella DF 14020172024* [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]
Ahmed Januzi Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Vushtrri Vushtrri FW 8020102013 [35]
Giacomo Poselli Flag of Greece.svg Thessaloniki Vlorë (by naturalization) [lower-alpha 1] GK 7019461948 [36]
Flag of Kosovo.svg Alban Meha Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Mitrovica Skenderaj MF 7220122015 [37]
Arbër Hoxha Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Istog Istog FW 7020242024*
Flag of Kosovo.svg Herolind Shala Flag of Norway.svg Porsgrunn Drenas MF 6020142016 [38]
Azdren Llullaku Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Istog Istog FW 6020162017* [39]
Emanuele Ndoj Flag of Italy.svg Catania Rubik MF 6120182019* [40]
Giacomo Vrioni Flag of Italy.svg San Severino Marche FW 6020182022* [41]
Arbnor Muçolli Flag of Denmark.svg Fredericia Podujevo MF 6020222024* [42]
Mirlind Daku Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Gjilan Gjilan FW 6120232024* [43]
Liridon Latifi Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Pristina Pristina MF 5020172017* [44]
Egzon Binaku Flag of Sweden.svg Åmål Mitrovica DF 5020182018* [45]
Arbnor Muja Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Mitrovica Mitrovica FW 5020232023* [46]
Kamer Qaka Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Peja Peja MF 4020172018* [47]
Lindon Selahi Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Namur Kumanovo MF 4020192020* [48]
Marvin Çuni Flag of Germany.svg Freising Peja FW 4020232023* [49]
Blerim Rrustemi Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Vushtrri Vushtrri DF 3020072007 [50]
Agon Mehmeti Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Podujevo Podujevo MF 3020132013 [51]
Enis Gavazaj Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Prizren Prizren FW 3020182018* [52]
Adrian Bajrami Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Langenthal Ohrid DF 3020222022* [53]
Anis Mehmeti Flag of England.svg Islington Burrel MF 3020232023* [54]
Bekim Kastrati Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Peja Peja FW 2020062006 [55]
Flag of Kosovo.svg Fidan Aliti Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Binningen Preševo DF 2020142014 [56]
Flag of Kosovo.svg Amir Rrahmani Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Pristina Pristina DF 2120142015 [57]
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 [58]
Valon Ahmedi Flag of North Macedonia.svg Ohrid Ohrid MF 2020172017* [59]
Bujar Lika Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Ferizaj Ferizaj MF 2020182018* [60]
Herdi Prenga Flag of Croatia.svg Zadar Mirditë DF 2020182018* [61]
Stivian Janku Flag of Greece.svg Ioannina DF 2020222022* [62]
Medon Berisha Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Münsingen Kaçanik MF 2020242024*
Agonit Sallaj Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Gjakova Gjakova DF 1020112011 [63]
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 [64]
Vullnet Basha Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Lausanne Suva Reka MF 1020132013 [65]
Arbnor Fejzullahu Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Serbia.svg Preševo Preševo DF 1020152015 [66]
Astrit Ajdarević Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Pristina Medveđa MF 1020172017* [67]
Ramën Çepele Flag of Italy.svg Conegliano Fier DF 1020202020* [68]
Esat Mala Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Kosovo.svg Prizren Prizren MF 1020222022* [69]
Ardit Toli Flag of Greece.svg Ioannina DF 1020222022* [70]

By country of birth

CountryTotal
Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo [lower-alpha 2] 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 England.svg  England 2
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 1
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 1
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia [lower-alpha 3] 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.

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