Besmir Arifaj (born 6 May 1986) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.[1]

Besmir Arifaj
Personal information
Full name Besmir Arifaj
Date of birth (1986-05-06) 6 May 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth Pukë, Albania
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2000–2004 Partizani Tirana
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Partizani Tirana 3 (0)
2006–2007 Flamurtari Vlorë 18 (0)
2007–2008 Kastrioti Krujë 11 (1)
2008–2009 Flamurtari Vlorë 32 (2)
2009–2010 Kastrioti Krujë 12 (0)
2010–2011 Tomori Berat 13 (0)
2011–2012 Dinamo Tirana 19 (3)
2012–2013 Bylis Ballsh 16 (0)
2013–2015 Dinamo Tirana 66 (6)
2016 Luftëtari Gjirokastër 11 (1)
2016–2017 Dinamo Tirana 7 (1)
2017 Korabi 17 (0)
International career
2001–2003 Albania U17 5 (0)
2003–2005 Albania U19 8 (0)
2007–2008 Albania U21 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20 January 2017

Club career

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Bylis Ballsh

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On 8 August 2012, Arifaj agreed personal term and signed a two-year contract with Bylis Ballsh.[2] He made his first appearance for the new club on 26 August in the opening Albanian Superliga week against Flamurtari Vlorë, entering as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 draw.[3] During the course of 2012–13 season, Arifaj made 25 appearances, including 18 in league, as Bylis barley assured the survival in Superliga. He also made 9 appearances in cup, as Bylis reached the final for the first time in history, losing out to Laçi after extra time, as Arifaj was sent-off during the match.[4] During this competition, he scored in the 3–1 home win against Luftëtari Gjirokastër.[5] He left the club following the end of the season.

Luftëtari Gjirokastr

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In January 2016, Arifaj joined fellow Albanian First Division side Luftëtari Gjirokastër until the end of the season.[6] He made his debut on 13 February in the league encounter against Lushnja, playing for 57 minutes in an eventual 0–1 away win.[7] Arifaj scored his first goal of the campaign on 30 April, netting the lone goal of the match against Sopoti Librazhd.[8] The team finished the Group B in the first position with 68 points, and was promoted to Albanian Superliga for the first time since 2012.[9][10] Following the end of the season, the club terminated the contract with Arifaj by mutual consent, making him a free agent in the process.[11]

Third spell at Dinamo Tirana

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On 29 July 2016, Arifaj returned to Dinamo Tirana for the second time by signing a one-year contract.[12]

Korabi Peshkopi

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On 19 January 2017, Arifaj signed a contract until the end of the season with Albanian Superliga Korabi Peshkopi.[13]

Honours

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Dinamo Tirana[1]
Luftëtari Gjirokastër[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Albania – B. Arifaj – Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Bylisi fiton ndaj Ferronikelit, por dëmtohet Gërxho" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 8 August 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Bylis Ballsh vs. Flamurtari Vlorë 1 – 1". Soccerway. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Laçi claim maiden Albanian Cup". UEFA. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  5. ^ "Bylis Ballsh vs. Luftëtari Gjirokastër". Soccerway. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  6. ^ "Vjen braziliani, Luftëtari zyrtarizon edhe Arifajn" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  7. ^ "Lushnja vs. Luftëtari Gjirokastër 0 – 1". Soccerway. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Sopoti Librazhd vs. Luftëtari Gjirokastër 0 – 1". Soccerway. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  9. ^ "Luftëtari e Korabi ngjiten në Superiore" (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  10. ^ Rinald Bregasi (14 May 2016). "Luftëtari dhe Korabi kalojnë në Superiore" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  11. ^ "Largimet e radhës nga Luftëtari" (in Albanian). Sportal.al. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  12. ^ "Dinamo blindon porten , vjen Kuka, firmos edhe me Besmir Arifaj" (in Albanian). Globe News. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  13. ^ "Korabi përforcon mesfushën, vjen 31-vjeçari Besmir Arifaj" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.