Amir Rrahmani

Amir Rrahmani

Personal information
Full name	Amir Kadri Rrahmani
Date of birth	24 February 1994
Place of birth	Prishtine Kosove
Height	1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Playing position	Centre-back
Club information
Current team	RNK Split
Number	18
Youth career
2010–2011	Drenica
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2011–2013	Drenica	40	(1)
2013–2015	Partizani Tirana	59	(3)
2015–	RNK Split	27	(1)
National team^‡
2013–	Albania U21	8	(0)
2014–	Kosovo	1	(0)
2014–	Albania	2	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 7 April 2016. † Appearances (goals) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 7 April 2016

Amir Kadri Rrahmani (born 24 February 1994) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays for RNK Split in the Croatian First League and the Albania national team as a primarily as a centre-back.

Rrahmani came up through the ranks at Drenica where he made his first team debut in 2011, and after impressing in the Superleague of Kosovo he moved to Albanian Superliga side Partizani Tirana. During his time at Partizani Tirana he became captain of the Albania U21 side and in 2014 he also made his senior international debut. After 66 games and 3 goals in all competitions for Partizani Tirana, Rrahmani transferred to RNK Split in Croatia.

Club career

Drenica

Rrahmani was born in Prishtinë, capital of the Republic of Kosovo, to Kosovar Albanian parents who were originally from Skenderaj. He began his football career with the youth team of Drenica, where he was promoted to the senior team during the 2011–12 campaign where he immediately began to impress despite being only 17 years old. He went on trial with Albanian Superliga side Kastrioti Krujë in the summer of 2012, where he impressed the coaching staff at Kastrioti Krujë but a deal to sign the player could not be agreed after negotiations stalled over a compensation package which was reported to be in the region of €3,000.^[1][2][3] He returned to KF Drenica where he became an important first team player as he helped his side finish just above the relegation playoff zone in the Superleague of Kosovo. His contract expired at the end of the 2012–13 season and he was allowed to leave Drenica on a free transfer.

Partizani Tirana

Rrahmani was subject to interest by a host of Albanian Superliga sides, with the reigning champions Skënderbeu Korçë formally offering the 19-year-old a contract to join the club, but he would ultimately decide to join Partizani Tirana instead.^[4] He made his debut for his new club on 21 September 2013 in an away game against Besa Kavajë, where he came on as a substitute after half time in the 1–0 win for his side.^[5][6]

At the end of 2014–15 season, Rrahmani was named "Talent of the Year" by association "Sporti na bashkon".^[7]

RNK Split

On 5 June 2015, Rrahmani finished his career at Partizani Tirana and moved to Croatian side RNK Split, where he joined the fellow Albanian player Sokol Cikalleshi.^[8] He made his competitive debut for the club on 13 July in the opening league match of 2015–16 season against Lokomotiva, where he played full-90 minutes in a 2–1 home win.^[9] Following that, Rrahmani become a regular starter in Zoran Vulić and later Goran Sablić lineup, establish himself in the center of defence.

On 30 October, Rrahmani made a solid performance against the league leaders Dinamo Zagreb for a 1–0 home win,^[10] which lead him to be named in the Team of the Week.^[11] On 22 November, following his good display in the 1–1 away draw against Istra 1961,^[12] Rrahmani was named again in the Team of the Week.^[13]

Rrahmani commenced 2016 by playing full-90 minutes in the team's first league match of 2016, a 1–1 away draw against Inter Zaprešić,^[14] which was followed by another full-90 minutes against Zagreb, which lead him to be named again in the Team of the Week.^[15] On 2 March 2016, Rrrahmani netted his first goal for the club during the 1–2 home defeat to Rijeka.^[16] This lead him to another Team of the Week selection.^[17] He continued with his solid appearances which led to his value up to €1 Million.^[18] He was named again in the Team of the Week for the 8th time following a goalless draw against Osijek on 8 April.^[19][20]

International career

Being of Albanian descent from Kosovo, on 4 June 2013 Rrahmani received the Albanian citizenship among Albania senior side Agon Mehmeti and fellow Albania U21 players Haxhi Neziraj, Valentin Gjokaj & Herolind Shala.^[21]

Albania U21

Principally Rrahmani was called up by Skënder Gega for a friendly match of the Albania U21 side against Macedonia in February 2013.^[22] He came as a later upcoming in the Albania U21's last 4 matches for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in last 4 months of the tournament, exactly from August to November 2013.^[23]

Kosovo

He capped once for Kosovo national football team in a sanctioned match by FIFA on 21 May 2014 against Senegal where he played full 90-minutes in a 3–1 loss.^[24][25]

Albania

Following his good performances at both Partizani Tirana and the Albania under-21 side, Rrahmani was called up by the Albania senior side coach Gianni De Biasi for the friendly match on 8 June 2014 against San Marino. He made it his debut against San Marino by coming on as a substitute in place of the fellow 20-year-old defender Elseid Hysaj in the 82nd minute of the match, which finished in the 0–3 away victory.^[26][27] On 13 November 2015, he scored against Kosovo, a team which he previously played for.^[28][29]

Career statistics

Club

As of 5 June 2015^[30][31]

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental[lower-alpha 1]		Other[lower-alpha 2]		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Partizani Tirana	2013–14	Albanian Superliga	25	0	3	0	—		—		28	0
	2014–15		34	3	4	0	—		—		38	3
	Total		59	3	7	0	—		—		66	3
RNK Split	2015–16	Prva HNL	27	1	—		—		—		27	1
	Total		27	1	—		—		—		27	1
Career total			86	4	7	0	—		—		93	4

1. Including continental competitions, such as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League
2. Including other competitions, such as Albanian Supercup

International

Kosovo

As of 7 April 2016^[32]

Kosovo national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2014	1	0
Total	1	0

Albania

As of 7 April 2016^[32]

Albania national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2014	1	0
2015	1	1
2016	0	0
Total	2	1

International goals

Scores and results list Albania's goal tally first.^[32]

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref
1	13 November 2015	Pristina City Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo	2	Kosovo	2–2	2–2	Friendly match	[29]

Honours

• Albanian Superliga Talent of the Year: 2014 3rd place,^[33] 2015^[7]

References

1. "Amir Rrahmani firmos me Kastriotin" (in Albanian). AlbaniaSoccer.com. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
2. "Kastrioti paguan dëmshpërblim për Rrahmanin" (in Albanian). KOHA.net. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
3. "Kastrioti i Krujës merr Amir Rrahmanin" (in Albanian). aSport.al. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
4. Armand Halili (19 June 2013). "Reagon Partizani: Rrahmani i yni, presim të firmosim" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
5. "Besa Kavajë vs. Partizani Tirana 0 – 1". Soccerway. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
6. Adriatik Balla (22 September 2013). "Partizani i frikshëm në Kavajë, mund Besën dhe merr kreun" (in Albanian). Sot.com.al. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
7. "Amir Rrahmani, talenti i sezonit" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 1 June 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
8. "Zyrtare, Amir Rrahmani largohet nga Partizani, i bashkohet Cikalleshit te RNK Spliti" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
9. "Split vs. Lokomotiva Zagreb 2 – 1". Soccerway. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
10. "Split vs. Dinamo Zagreb 1 – 0". Soccerway. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
11. "Amir Rrahmani në formacionin e javës në Kroaci" (in Albanian). Klan Kosova. 3 November 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
12. "Istra 1961 vs. Split 1 – 1". Soccerway. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
13. Olsi Karagjozi (26 November 2015). "Rrahmani dhe Grezda në formacionin e javës në Kroaci" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
14. "Inter Zaprešić vs. Split 1 – 1". Soccerway. 14 February 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
15. "Rrahmani sërish në formacionin e javës në Kroaci (FOTO)" (in Albanian). Sport.albeu.com. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
16. "Rrahmani dhe Balaj shënojnë në derbin shqiptar (Video)" (in Albanian). Telegrafi.com. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
17. "Paraqitjet e mira, Rrahmani në formacionin e javës (Foto)" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
18. "Shqiptarët pësojnë rritje, ja vlera e kartonit për Grezdën, Rrahmanin e Çekiçin" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
19. "Rrahmani e bën rrugë, sërish mes më të mirëve të javës" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
20. "Osijek vs. Split 0 – 0". Soccerway. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
21. Ekskluzive: Agon Mehmeti dhe 4 lojtarë të shpresave marrin shtetësi shqiptare aSport.al
22. "Amir Rrahmani ftohet në miqësoren kundër Maqedonisë" (in Albanian). aSport.al. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
23. Amir Rrahmani – UEFA competition record
24. "Football MATCH: 25.05.2014 Senegal v Kosovo". EU-football.info. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
25. "Edhe Senegali mposht Kosovën" (in Albanian). Sharpnews.info. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
26. "Shqipëria ia gjen hallin San Marinos, e mposht 3:0 (VIDEO)" (in Albanian). Gazeta Express. 8 June 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
27. "Eksperiment i Shqipërisë, "shfryn" 3-0 ndaj San Marinos" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 8 June 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
28. "Mbyllet në barazim vllazërorja Kosovë-Shqipëri" (in Albanian). ALBParajsa. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
29. Rinald Bregasi (13 November 2015). "Kosovë-Shqipëri 2-2, ka festë në Prishtinë" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
30. "Albania - A. Rrahmani - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
31. "Football : Amir Rrahmani". Football Database. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
32. "Amir Rrahmani - national football team player". EU-Football.info. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
33. "Çmimi, Morina "Talenti i Vitit" në Superiore" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.

External links

• Amir Rrahmani profile at Soccerway
• Amir Rrahmani at National-Football-Teams.com