Rubin Hebaj

Rubin Hebaj

Personal information
Full name	Rubin Hebaj
Date of birth	(1998-07-30) 30 July 1998 (age 25)
Place of birth	Shkodër, Albania
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Al-Orobah
Number	98
Youth career
2012–2017	Vllaznia
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015–2017	Vllaznia	23	(4)
2016	→ Vllaznia B	3	(2)
2017–2019	Domžale	14	(4)
2018–2019	→ Partizani (loan)	21	(4)
2019	Vorskla Poltava	5	(0)
2020–2021	Teuta	26	(3)
2021	Shkëndija	26	(4)
2022	Teuta	35	(11)
2023–	Andijon	24	(12)
2024–	Al-Orobah	0	(0)
International career‡
2014	Albania U17 [lower-alpha 1]	3	(0)
2015	Albania U19 [lower-alpha 1]	3	(0)
2017	Albania U21 [lower-alpha 1]	4	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 October 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 9 October 2017

Rubin Hebaj (born 30 July 1998) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Saudi First Division League club Al-Orobah.

Club career

Early career

Hebaj started his youth career aged 14 with Vllaznia in September 2012 and was placed in under-15 team. With under-15 side Hebaj won the National Regional Championship and was voted as the best player of the tournament. ^[1] After spending one season with under-15 he advanced in other youth teams of Vllaznia. During the 2016–17 season he played for Vllaznia B in the Kategoria e Dytë, scoring two goals in three matches. ^[2]

Vllaznia

He made his debut with the Vllaznia first team under the coach Armir Grimaj in the 2015–16 Albanian Cup match against Apolonia on 28 October 2015 in a goalless draw, coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute in place of Santiago Martinez. ^[3]

Domžale

On 22 June 2017, Hebaj moved for the first time aboard by joining Slovenian team Domžale on a three-year contract. ^[4] He made his debut on 30 July 2017 against Ankaran in the third game week, coming on as a substitute in the 58th minute in place of Matija Rom. ^[5] He scored his first goal on 27 August 2017 against Krško in his third match played. In the contest, Hebaj provided the assist for Alen Ožbolt's equalising goal and, minutes later, scored himself for the 2–1 lead. However, Krško managed to win the game with a score of 4–2. ^{[6] [7]}

Loan to Partizani

On 27 July 2018, Partizani reached an agreement with Domžale for the services of Hebaj on a one-year loan; his salary will be paid by his parent club. ^[8] He was presented the following day, receiving the squad number 9. ^[9] He endured a difficult first part of the season, spending the time between bench and the pitch. ^[10] However, he proved to be decisive in the capital derby against Tirana, as he came from the bench to score a brace, his first league goals, to help the team overturn the result and win 2–1 to maintain the championship lead. ^[11]

Teuta

On 21 January 2020, Hebaj returned to Kategoria Superiore by inking a six-month contract with Teuta. ^[12] He made his debut on 2 February in the 2–1 away loss to Tirana, ^[13] and scored his first goal in the 5–1 away win against Luftëtari on 20 June. ^[14]

He concluded the second half of 2019–20 season with two goals from 15 league appearances. On 31 August, Hebaj scored a brace in the 2–1 win against Tirana at Elbasan Arena for the 2020 Albanian Supercup, giving Teuta its first silverware of the new season. ^[15]

However, Hebaj underperformed in the league, recording only one goal in 11 appearances in the first half of the season, which lead the club to terminate his contract by mutual consent. ^[16]

Shkëndija

In January 2021, following his release by Teuta, Hebaj joined KF Shkëndija in North Macedonia on a two-and-a-half contract. ^[17]

Return to Teuta

On 4 January 2022, Teuta announced to have resigned Hebaj for an undisclosed fee. ^[18]

Andijon

In February 2023, Hebaj signed a two-year contract with FK Andijon in Uzbekistan as a free agent. ^[19]

Al-Orobah

On 31 January 2024, Hebaj joined Saudi First Division League club Al-Orobah. ^[20]

International career

Albania U17

Hebaj was called up by Albania under-17 team coach Džemal Mustedanagić to participate in the 2015 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification where Albania was placed in Group 9. ^[21] He made his debut on 8 October in the first match against Norway where he appeared as a second-half substitute in an eventual 3–0 defeat. ^[22] He went on to play in the remaining two matches as Albania failed to pass the group, finishing in third position. ^[23]

Albania U19

In November 2015, Hebaj was called to the under-19s by the coach Arjan Bellaj for the 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification. ^[24] He managed to play in all three matches in Group 8, as Albania was eliminated in the process, finishing third. ^[25]

Albania U20

He received his first call up for the Albania under-20 side by Alban Bushi for the friendly match against Georgia U20 on 14 November 2017. ^[26] He debuted for under-20 team against Georgia playing the full 90-minutes match, finished in a 3–0 loss. ^[27]

Albania U21

Hebaj received the first call-up at under-21 squad by coach Redi Jupi for the closing 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Israel on 10 October 2016. ^[28] However, he was an unused substitute as Albania was defeated 4–0. ^[29]

Hebaj was called up by coach Alban Bushi for the friendly against France on 5 June 2017 and the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification opening match against Estonia one week later. ^[30] He made his competitive debut on 5 June 2017 coming on as a substitute of a 3–0 home defeat to France. ^[31]

Hebaj scored his first goals for under-21 side in November 2018 in a double friendly against Malta; he scored and won a penalty kick in the first match at Selman Stërmasi Stadium on 16th which was won 2–0, ^[32] while three days later scored a brace at Loro Boriçi Stadium in another Albania win. ^[33]

Career statistics

Club

As of 21 October 2023 ^{[34] [2]}

Club statistics

Club	Season	League			Cup		Europe [lower-alpha 2]		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Vllaznia Shkodër	2015–16	Kategoria Superiore	0	0	1	0	—		1	0
	2016–17		23	4	2	0	—		25	4
Total		23	4	3	0	—		26	4
→Vllaznia B (loan)	2016–17	Kategoria e Dytë	3	2	—		—		3	2
Domžale	2017–18	Slovenian PrvaLiga	14	4	1	1	—		15	5
	2017–18		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
→Partizani Tirana (loan)	2018–19	Kategoria Superiore	21	4	4	4	—		25	8
Vorskla Poltava	2019–20	Ukrainian Premier League	5	0	–		—		5	0
Teuta Durrës	2019–20	Kategoria Superiore	15	2	6	0	—		21	2
	2020–21		11	1	2	2	2	1	15	4
Shkëndija	2020–21	Macedonian First League	15	4	0	0	2	0	17	4
	2021–22		11	0	0	0	2	0	13	0
Teuta Durrës	2021–22	Kategoria Superiore	20	10	4	3	—		24	13
	2022–23		15	1	2	1	—		17	2
Andijon	2023	Uzbekistan Super League	20	12	3	2	—		23	14
Career total			170	42	25	13	6	1	201	56

1. Official competitive UEFA matches only.
2. Including continental competitions, such as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League

References

1. "Rajonalet U15, Shkodra fiton gjithcka" [Regions U15, Shkodra wins everything] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
2. Rubin Hebaj profile FSHF.org
3. "Apolonia Fier vs. Vllaznia Shkodër 0 – 0". Soccerway. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
4. Gaspër Marku (22 June 2017). "Zyrtare, Hebaj firmos në Slloveni" [Official, Hebaj signs in Slovenia] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres . Retrieved 22 June 2017.
5. Ankaran Hrvatini vs. Domžale - 30 July 2017 Soccerway
6. "VIDEO / Gol dhe asist, Ruben Hebaj fillon të lërë shenjë te Domzhale". Panorama Sport. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
7. "Krško vs. Domžale - 27 August 2017". Soccerway. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
8. "Rubin Hebaj akord me Partizanin, rrogën do t'i paguajë Domazhale" [Rubin Hebaj agreement with Partizani, his wage will be paid by Domžale] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
9. "E merr në formë huazimi, Partizani prezanton talentin shkodran" [Partizani takes on loan and presentes the talent from Shkodra] (in Albanian). Konica.al. 28 July 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
10. "Gega: Ndjemë lodhjen, Hebaj dhe Çinari duhet të shtynin më shumë" [Gega: We are feeling the fatigue, Hebaj and Çinari need to push harder] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
11. "VIDEO – Derbi i çmendur, Hebaj dërgon "demat" në ekstazë" [Video – Crazy derby, Hebaj sends the 'bulls' in ecstasy] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
12. "Rubin Hebaj firmos për Teutën" [Rubin Hebaj signs for Teuta] (in Albanian). Gazeta Si. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
13. "Tirana vs. Teuta 2 – 1". Soccerway. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
14. "Luftëtari vs. Teuta 1 – 5". Soccerway. 20 June 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
15. "Teuta e nis sezonin me trofe, fiton Superkupën e Shqipërisë ndaj Tiranës" [Teuta starts the season with a trophy, wins the Albanian Supercup over Tirana]. a2news.com (in Albanian). 31 January 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
16. "Teuta ndërpret kontratën me Rubin Hebaj" [Teuta terminate the contract with Rubin Hebaj]. Syri.net (in Albanian). 9 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
17. "KOMUNIKATË ZYRTARE: RUBIN HEBAJ FIRMOS ME SHKËNDIJËN" [Rubin Hebaj signs with Shkëndija] (in Albanian). KF Shkëndija. 19 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
18. "ZYRTARE, Rubin Hebaj Rikthehet Te Teuta" [Official, Rubin Hebaj returns to Teuta]. infosport.mk (in Albanian). 4 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
19. "Zyrtare, Rubin Hebaj transferohet në Uzbekistan" [Official, Rubin Hebaj transferred to Uzbekistan] (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
20. "العروبة يوقع مع المهاجم الألباني روبين هيباي".
21. "Kombëtarja U-17, gati per Eliminatoret" [Under-17 national team, ready for the qualifying] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
22. "Norway U17 3 – 0 Albania U17". Soccerway. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
23. "Under-17 - Standings". UEFA.com. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
24. "U-19, nis grumbullimi për eliminatoret" [U-19, the gather for qualifiers has begun] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 3 November 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
25. "Under-19 - Standings". UEFA.com. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
26. "U-21, Bushi ne konference per shtyp" (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 6 November 2017. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
27. "U-20, humbet ndeshjen miqësore në Gjeorgji" (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 14 November 2017. Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
28. "FSHF skandal me Shpresat, fshihet lista e Kombëtares U-21" [FSHF scandal with "hopes", the list of under-21 national team is deleted] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
29. Israel U21 vs. Albania U21 - 10 October 2016 Soccerway
30. "Alban Bushi shpall listën e U21 për Francën dhe Estoninë" [Alban Bushi announces the U21 list for France and Estonia] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 1 June 2017. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
31. "VIDEO / Franca mposht me lehtësi në miqësore Shpresat kuqezi" [VIDEO / France easily defeats in friendly the redandblack hopes]. Syri.net. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
32. "VIDEO – "Zgjohet" Shqipëria e Bushit, shkëlqejnë "yjet" e Partizanit" [Video – Bushi's Albania “awaken”, Partizani's “stars” shines] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
33. "VIDEO – Hebaj "merr për dore" Shqipërinë U21, triumf me përmbysje" [Hebaj takes Albania by hand, a comeback trimph] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
34. Rubin Hebaj at Soccerway. Retrieved 15 December 2017.

External links

• Rubin Hebaj at Soccerway
• Rubin Hebaj at UAF and archived FFU page (in Ukrainian)