Maldini Kacurri

Last updated

Maldini Kacurri
Personal information
Date of birth (2005-10-04) 4 October 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Lewisham, London, England
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Arsenal
Number 47
Youth career
0000–2022 Fulham
2022–2024 Arsenal
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2024– Arsenal 0 (0)
International career‡
2021 Albania U17 2 (0)
2023– Albania U19 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 October 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 September 2024

Maldini Kacurri (born 4 October 2005) is an Albanian footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Arsenal.

Contents

Career

Kacurri was born on 4 October 2005 in Lewisham, London, [1] and was named after former AC Milan and Italy captain Paolo Maldini. His family emigrated to the UK from Albania. His family are from the city of Lezhë. [2] He is a brother to his older sister and younger brother and is also an uncle to his niece. He and his family are Catholic Christians.[ citation needed ]

Kacurri began his youth career with the youth academy of English side Fulham, before moving to Arsenal in 2022. [3] He was described as "regular feature for the Gunners at Premier League 2 level" while playing for them. [4]

Kacurri first started training with their senior team during the 2022–23 season. [3] He signed his first professional contract with the club on 4 July 2024. [5] Kacurri made his first senior matchday squad during a 1–0 win over rivals Tottenham on 15 September. [4] [6] On 25 September, he made his senior debut as a substitute for Riccardo Calafiori in a 5–1 win over Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup, [7] [8] becoming the first Albanian national to represent Arsenal's first team. [1]

An Albanian youth international, Kacurri made two appearances for the Albania national under-17 team before joining the Albania national under-19 team in 2023.

Style of play

Kacurri mainly operates as a defender. He specifically operates as a center-back. He has been described as an "unstoppable defender, combative and with a tall stature that significantly distinguishes him from his peers".[ citation needed ]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 8 October 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup EFL Cup EuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal U21 2022–23 [9] ————1 [a] 010
2024–25 [10] ————2 [a] 020
Total————3030
Arsenal 2024–25 [10] Premier League 00001000—10
Career total000010003040
  1. 1 2 Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

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References

  1. 1 2 James, Josh (26 September 2024). "The stats and records around our latest debutants". Arsenal FC. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  2. ↑ Choudhary, Dayeem (29 October 2024). "Behind the rising star: Maldini Kacurri". vavel.com. Retrieved 30 November 2024. Born on October 4, 2005, in Lewisham, London, to a family originally from the city of Lezhë, Albania, Kacurri's journey is not just a personal achievement but a symbol of hope for many young athletes with immigrant backgrounds.
  3. 1 2 Pangratiou, Lewis (20 October 2022). "Who is Maldini Kacurri? 17-year-old spotted in Arsenal training ahead of PSV Europa League clash". football.london. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  4. 1 2 Wood, Liam (15 September 2024). "Who are Ayden Heaven, Maldini Kacurri and Ismeal Kabia? Arsenal wonderkids on bench vs Tottenham". football.london. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  5. ↑ "Seven academy players sign professional contracts". Arsenal FC. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  6. ↑ "Spurs v Arsenal, 2024/25 | Premier League". Premier League. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  7. ↑ Wright, Stephen (25 September 2024). "Report: Arsenal 5–1 Bolton Wanderers". Arsenal FC. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  8. ↑ "Arsenal vs Bolton Wanderers". English Football League. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  9. ↑ "Games played by Maldini Kacurri in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  10. 1 2 "Games played by Maldini Kacurri in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
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