List of Albania international footballers born outside Albania

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.

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

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  • Players with flags in front of their name are players who represented Albania, but now represent another national team.
  • A light red background indicates the most recent match.
Key
* Current internationals
Caps Appearances
Pos Positions
GK Goalkeeper
DF Defender
MF Midfielder
FW Forward

Capped players

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As of 19 November 2024
Name Place of birth Origin Pos. Caps Goals First cap Last cap Ref
Lorik Cana    Pristina Gjakova DF 93 1 2003 2016 [1]
Etrit Berisha    Pristina Pristina GK 81 0 2012 2024* [2]
Armend Dallku    Vushtrri Vushtrri DF 64 1 2005 2013 [3]
Berat Djimsiti   Zürich Bujanovac DF 61 1 2015 2024* [4]
Amir Abrashi   Bischofszell Gjakova MF 51 1 2013 2024* [5]
Mërgim Mavraj   Hanau Istog DF 50 3 2012 2019 [6]
Ermir Lenjani    Gjilan Gjilan MF 45 5 2013 2022* [7]
Frédéric Veseli   Renens DF 45 0 2015 2023* [8]
Debatik Curri    Pristina Pristina DF 44 1 2006 2014 [9]
Ardian Ismajli    Majac Majac DF 44 3 2018 2024* [10]
Ylber Ramadani   Starnberg Shtime MF 44 1 2018 2024* [11]
Arjan Beqaj    Prizren Prizren GK 43 0 1998 2011 [12]
  Besnik Hasi    Gjakova Gjakova MF 43 2 2000 2007 [13]
Thomas Strakosha   Athens Memaliaj GK 37 0 2017 2024* [14]
Migjen Basha   Lausanne Suva Reka MF 34 3 2013 2019 [15]
Arlind Ajeti   Basel Podujevo DF 32 1 2014 2024* [16]
Nedim Bajrami   Zürich Tetovo MF 32 6 2021 2024* [17]
Taulant Xhaka   Basel Podujevo MF 31 1 2014 2019* [18]
Burim Kukeli    Gjakova Gjakova MF 27 0 2012 2017 [19]
Taulant Seferi   Kumanovo Kumanovo MF 26 3 2019 2024* [20]
Armando Broja   Slough Koplik FW 23 5 2020 2024* [21]
Mario Mitaj   Athens Vermosh DF 23 0 2021 2024* [22]
Marash Kumbulla   Peschiera del Garda Shkodër DF 22 0 2019 2024* [23]
Jasir Asani   Skopje Skopje FW 22 5 2023 2024* [24]
  Samir Ujkani    Vushtrri Vushtrri GK 20 0 2009 2013 [25]
Enea Mihaj   Rhodes Pogradec DF 19 0 2018 2024* [26]
Iván Balliu   Caldes de Malavella DF 17 0 2017 2024* [27]
  Besart Berisha    Pristina Pristina FW 17 1 2006 2009 [28]
Shkëlzen Gashi   Zürich Klina FW 17 1 2013 2016* [29]
Valdet Rama    Mitrovica Mitrovica MF 15 3 2013 2015 [30]
Naser Aliji   Kumanovo Kumanovo DF 14 0 2015 2024* [31]
Eros Grezda    Gjakova Gjakova MF 13 1 2017 2019* [32]
Kastriot Dermaku   Scandiano Kamenica DF 13 1 2018 2021* [33]
Mehmet Dragusha    Pristina Pristina MF 11 1 2003 2005 [34]
Arbër Hoxha    Istog Istog FW 11 0 2024 2024* [35]
Mirlind Daku    Prilepnica Prilepnica FW 9 1 2023 2024* [36]
Ahmed Januzi    Vushtrri Vushtrri FW 8 0 2010 2013 [37]
Giacomo Poselli   Thessaloniki Vlorë (by naturalization)[a] GK 7 0 1946 1948 [38]
  Alban Meha    Mitrovica Skenderaj MF 7 2 2012 2015 [39]
  Herolind Shala   Porsgrunn Drenas MF 6 0 2014 2016 [40]
Azdren Llullaku    Istog Istog FW 6 0 2016 2017* [41]
Emanuele Ndoj   Catania Rubik MF 6 1 2018 2019* [42]
Giacomo Vrioni   San Severino Marche FW 6 0 2018 2022* [43]
Arbnor Muçolli   Fredericia Podujevo MF 6 0 2022 2024* [44]
Liridon Latifi    Pristina Pristina MF 5 0 2017 2017* [45]
Egzon Binaku   Åmål Mitrovica DF 5 0 2018 2018* [46]
Arbnor Muja    Mitrovica Mitrovica FW 5 0 2023 2023* [47]
Kamer Qaka    Peja Peja MF 4 0 2017 2018* [48]
Lindon Selahi   Namur Kumanovo MF 4 0 2019 2020* [49]
Marvin Çuni   Freising Peja FW 4 0 2023 2023* [50]
Blerim Rrustemi    Vushtrri Vushtrri DF 3 0 2007 2007 [51]
Agon Mehmeti    Podujevo Podujevo MF 3 0 2013 2013 [52]
Enis Gavazaj    Prizren Prizren FW 3 0 2018 2018* [53]
Adrian Bajrami   Langenthal Ohrid DF 3 0 2022 2022* [54]
Anis Mehmeti   Islington Burrel MF 3 0 2023 2023* [55]
Medon Berisha   Münsingen Kaçanik MF 3 0 2024 2024* [56]
Bekim Kastrati    Peja Peja FW 2 0 2006 2006 [57]
  Fidan Aliti   Binningen Preševo DF 2 0 2014 2014 [58]
  Amir Rrahmani    Pristina Skenderaj DF 2 1 2014 2015 [59]
  Milot Rashica    Vushtrri Vushtrri MF 2 0 2016 2016 [60]
Valon Ahmedi   Ohrid Ohrid MF 2 0 2017 2017* [61]
Bujar Lika    Ferizaj Ferizaj MF 2 0 2018 2018* [62]
Herdi Prenga   Zadar Mirditë DF 2 0 2018 2018* [63]
Stivian Janku   Ioannina DF 2 0 2022 2022* [64]
Agonit Sallaj    Gjakova Gjakova DF 1 0 2011 2011 [65]
  Mërgim Brahimi    Istog Istog MF 1 0 2012 2012 [66]
Vullnet Basha   Lausanne Suva Reka MF 1 0 2013 2013 [67]
Arbnor Fejzullahu    Preševo Preševo DF 1 0 2015 2015 [68]
Astrit Ajdarević    Pristina Medveđa MF 1 0 2017 2017* [69]
Ramën Çepele   Conegliano Fier DF 1 0 2020 2020* [70]
Esat Mala    Prizren Prizren MF 1 0 2022 2022* [71]
Ardit Toli   Ioannina DF 1 0 2022 2022* [72]
Sebastjan Spahiu   Mouscron Shkodër MF 1 0 2024 2024* [73]

By country of birth

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Country Total
  Kosovo[b] 33
  Switzerland 12
  Greece 6
  Italy 5
  North Macedonia 4
  Germany 3
  Belgium 2
  England 2
  Croatia 1
  Denmark 1
  Norway 1
  Serbia[c] 1
  Spain 1
  Sweden 1

Notes and references

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Notes

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  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.

References

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  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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