"major success has not yet come Albania's way. Albanian footballers are in great demand abroad. Some 200 Albanian players play their trade in a number of top leagues in Europe. The most famous player at the moment is Lorik Cana, Ex-captain of Sunderland in Premier League, England. On October 11, 2015, Albania qualified for UEFA Euro 2016, its first ever major men's national football tournament, after handing Armenia a 3-0 loss in Yerevan. Football in Albania Football is the most popular sport in Albania, both at a participatory and spectator level. The Sport is governed by the Football Association of"
"only 6 league appearances due to injury during his time with the 18 time champions. He left the club at the end of the 2014–15 campaign. Fatmir Hysenbelliu Fatmir Hysenbelliu (born 4 April 1992 in Tirana) is an Albanian businessman and retired footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Fatmir's father Irfan Hysenbelliu, is one of Albania's most successful businessman. Hysenbelliu began playing football as a young child in 2001 with Partizani Tirana, before moving to another local team KF Olimpik Tirana in 2003 where he would remain until 2007 when he moved to England. During his time in England"
"to play primarily as a defensive and central midfielder but later switched to centre-back. He participated in the first major international competition for Albania, the UEFA Euro 2016 held in France. At the age of 16, Cana was invited to Arsenal for a trial, but failed to attend because he was denied a British visa. He began his senior club career playing for Paris Saint-Germain, before signing with rivals Olympique de Marseille in 2004 whom he went on to captain. In 2009, Cana made his league debut for Sunderland becoming the first player of Albanian origin to play in the"
"to be appointed. On 15 August, Cana made his league debut for Sunderland and contributed with an impressive performance in a 1–0 win over Bolton Wanderers, becoming the first Albanian player to play in the Premier League. He was appointed as Sunderland's captain for the 2009–10 season on 3 September. He leaded his team in 35 games in all competitions. Sunderland finished 16th in the league and progressed until last 16 in EFL Cup and until 4th round in FA Cup. Cana joined Galatasaray on 8 July 2010 for a €4.5 million transfer fee. He signed a four-year contract worth"
"Bersant Celina Bersant Edvar Celina (born 9 September 1996) is a Kosovo Albanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Welsh club Swansea City and the Kosovo national team. Celina grew up in Drammen, Norway, where he moved to at the age of two. He started his youth career at Strømsgodset in Norway. In 2012, he was offered a scholarship from the Manchester City Reserves and Academy in England, where he spent the next two years as a scholar. On 1 July 2014. Celina signed a three-year professional contract with Manchester City. At the time, Celina was injured and"
"Jon Sunderland Jonathan Paul Sunderland (born 2 November 1975 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is an English professional football player. He plays as a midfielder, currently for Bedlington Terriers. Sunderland began his career as a trainee with Blackpool, turning professional in July 1994. He made just three appearances for Blackpool, all as a substitute, and had a spell on loan with Northwich Victoria in October 1995, before leaving to join Scarborough on a free transfer in March 1996. He was released by Scarborough that December and joined Hartlepool United on non-contract terms, scoring on his debut on 21 December 1996 as"
"his first professional contract with the club, signing a three-year deal. In September 2016, he made his professional debut in a 2–1 victory over Queens Park Rangers in the EFL Cup, replacing Joel Asoro as a substitute. Josh Maja Joshua Erowoli Orisunmibare Oluwaseun Maja (born 29 December 1998), is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for League One side Sunderland. Born in the London Borough of Lewisham to Nigerian parents, Maja grew up in Pimlico, London. As a youngster he played for the youth teams of Crystal Palace and Fulham, and despite being formally registered with Fulham he"
"and was selected for the elite round of qualifying but had to withdraw from the squad because of injury. Jerome Sinclair Jerome Terence Sinclair (born 20 September 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for League One club Sunderland on loan from Watford of the Premier League. He represented England up to under-17 level. He spent his youth at West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool, making his senior debut for the latter at the age of 16 years and 6 days in 2012, their youngest player of all time. He went on to make four further appearances"
"being named in the starting line-up. On 7 August 2016, Celina was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol when officers found him behind the wheel in Manchester City Centre at 3.30 am. He was fined £2625 and banned from driving for one year. He was also ordered to pay £255 in costs. Bersant Celina Bersant Edvar Celina (born 9 September 1996) is a Kosovo Albanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Welsh club Swansea City and the Kosovo national team. Celina grew up in Drammen, Norway, where he moved to at the age of two. He"
"Sunderland Deaf FC. Martin Smith (footballer, born 1974) Martin Geoffrey Smith (born 13 November 1974 in Sunderland, England) is a former professional footballer. In his professional career he played for Darlington, Northampton Town, Huddersfield Town, Sheffield United, Sunderland and Blyth Spartans. At his first club, Sunderland, he was part of two Division One title winning teams which won promotion to the FA Premier League, and while he was at Sunderland he made his only appearance for the England under-21 side on 15 November 1994. Many Northampton Town supporters regard Smith as one of the most technically gifted players ever to"
"signed permanent contract with Albanian Superliga championsFK Kukësi Samuel Gilmore (footballer) Samuel Arowolo Gilmore (born 20 July 1996) is a Nigerian footballer, who currently plays for the Albanian Albanian Superliga champions FK Kukësi. Gilmore began his career with Success F.C. of Lagos in Nigeria. In 2013, he signed with Magic F.C., and in summer 2015 he joined the Israeli club Hapoel Acre on a one-season loan deal. He played his first game in the Israeli Premier League on 31 August 2015 against Bnei Yehuda He scored his first goal in the Israeli Premier League on 26 September 2015 against Hapoel"
"otherwise not known for being sympathetic to people associated with rivals Partizan, held up a transparent which said ""Support for Stefan Savić"" after the loss of his father. BSK Borča Partizan Manchester City Atlético Madrid Stefan Savić Stefan Savić (, ; born 8 January 1991) is a Montenegrin professional footballer who plays for Spanish club Atlético Madrid and the Montenegro national team as a central defender. Born in Mojkovac, Savić started his career at the local club Brskovo, before moving to BSK Borča, and then to Partizan. He won the double with Partizan, and then joined Manchester City for £6"
"Premier League club Sunderland, on a five-year contract, for a club record transfer fee (excluding add-ons) of £13.6 million. He made his debut on 12 September 2016, in a 3–0 defeat to Everton. Ndong was a key member of the Sunderland team in his initial season and scored his first goal for Sunderland, on 4 February 2017 in a 4–0 win over Crystal Palace. The club were later relegated to the Championship for the first time in ten years, following a 1–0 loss to Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light on 29 April 2017. He initially stayed with Sunderland following"
"Phil Bardsley Phillip Anthony Bardsley (born 28 June 1985) is a professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Burnley and the Scotland national team. Although born in England, Bardsley qualifies for Scotland through his Glasgow-born father. Bardsley began his career with Manchester United where he made 18 appearances in five seasons at the club. During that time, he was loaned to several clubs, including Royal Antwerp, Burnley, Rangers, Aston Villa and Sheffield United. He joined Sunderland in January 2008 for an initial fee of £850,000. Bardsley established himself as a regular at the Stadium of Light under Steve Bruce"
"restaurant Subway. Chelsea Liverpool Individual Daniel Sturridge Daniel Andre Sturridge (; born 1 September 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Liverpool and the English national team. Born in Birmingham, Sturridge spent four years in the Aston Villa academy before moving to Coventry City. He then signed for Manchester City in 2003. He continued his development at City and played in two FA Youth Cup finals. He made his first-team debut in the 2007–08 season, becoming the only player ever to score in the FA Youth Cup, FA Cup and Premier League in the"
"for English side Sunderland in 2015. On 21 August 2016, a year after joining the club, Asoro made his professional debut in the league against Middlesbrough. He came on as an 81st-minute substitute for Duncan Watmore. Asoro became Sunderland’s and Sweden's youngest Premier League player. On 24 August 2016, Asoro was given his first Sunderland start under manager David Moyes in a 1–0 victory over League One side Shrewsbury Town in an EFL Cup second round tie. Asoro later appeared as a starter in the EFL Cup Round 3 victory over Championship side Queens Park Rangers and was subbed off"
"Daniel Sturridge Daniel Andre Sturridge (; born 1 September 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Liverpool and the English national team. Born in Birmingham, Sturridge spent four years in the Aston Villa academy before moving to Coventry City. He then signed for Manchester City in 2003. He continued his development at City and played in two FA Youth Cup finals. He made his first-team debut in the 2007–08 season, becoming the only player ever to score in the FA Youth Cup, FA Cup and Premier League in the same season. He left City"
"League Soccer. Gooch has another brother, Darshan, who is a professional surfer. Lynden Gooch Lynden Jack Gooch (born December 24, 1995) is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Sunderland in EFL League One. Gooch was born in Santa Cruz, California on December 24, 1995, son of an English father (born in Colchester) and an Irish mother (born in Dublin). His father is a professional soccer coach. At an early age, he joined the U.S. Soccer Development Academy club Santa Cruz Breakers Academy. Gooch's talent attracted the attention of several European outfits, earning him a trial and"
"left Bay to return to Ashington in August 2004, and helped the Colliers to promotion to the Northern League First Division in 2004. He joined Bedlington Terriers in July 2008. Jon Sunderland Jonathan Paul Sunderland (born 2 November 1975 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is an English professional football player. He plays as a midfielder, currently for Bedlington Terriers. Sunderland began his career as a trainee with Blackpool, turning professional in July 1994. He made just three appearances for Blackpool, all as a substitute, and had a spell on loan with Northwich Victoria in October 1995, before leaving to join Scarborough"
"Nikola Jovanović (footballer, born 1952) Nikola ""Nikki"" Jovanović (Cyrillic: Никола Joвaнoвић; born 18 September 1952) is a retired Montenegrin footballer. Representing Yugoslavia during his career, he is known for being first player from outside the British Isles to join Manchester United. He is now a sports director of FK Budućnost Podgorica. Jovanović was one of the most successful players of, then Yugoslav, giant Red Star where he played as a defender and had an impressive overall record of 359 matches and 50 goals for the Belgrade side. He then made history when he became the first Yugoslav footballer to play"
"Slovenia. Before signing for Manchester United he turned down an offer from Bayern Munich and decided in favour of the English side. Nikola Jovanović (footballer, born 1952) Nikola ""Nikki"" Jovanović (Cyrillic: Никола Joвaнoвић; born 18 September 1952) is a retired Montenegrin footballer. Representing Yugoslavia during his career, he is known for being first player from outside the British Isles to join Manchester United. He is now a sports director of FK Budućnost Podgorica. Jovanović was one of the most successful players of, then Yugoslav, giant Red Star where he played as a defender and had an impressive overall record of"
"loaned to Sunderland after recovering from injury. He helped his club earn promotion to the Premier League, featuring in 45 out of 46 league matches of the 2017–18 Championship season, keeping 19 clean sheets and conceding 37 goals. Following the club's promotion, Etheridge was rewarded with a new three-year contract by the club. On 11 August 2018, he became the first player from the Philippines and Southeast Asia to play in the Premier League, in a 2–0 loss to Bournemouth, during which he saved a penalty from Callum Wilson. His penalty save also made him the first goalkeeper to save"
"a silver medal at the 1960 European Championship. Stevan Stojanović from Kosovo, who played for Yugoslavia, was part of Red Star Belgrade and they won 1990–91 European Cup. Nowadays, in many European teams there are players of Albanian origin from Kosovo who have had the opportunity to show their talents and values. Thus, Lorik Cana was the captain of Olympique de Marseille and Sunderland as well as the Albania national team, while Valon Behrami who played for West Ham United, and currently is playing for Udinese and Swiss national football team. There are other players who had the opportunity to"
"level. Simpson is of Jamaican descent. Simpson is married to his wife, Isabelle and has three young children, Tyreigh, Mya and Blake. Buriram United Individual Jay Simpson Jay-Alistaire Frederick Simpson (born 1 December 1988) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker or winger. A product of the Arsenal Academy, he never played a league game for Arsenal, spending most of his time on loan, at Millwall, West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers. In 2010, he joined Hull City, and was released three years later. Simpson spent time in Thailand with Buriram United, winning the 2014 Kor"
"capped 75 times. He has been captain of the team for many of those years. In 2002, during UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying, he scored a goal directly from a corner kick against England. Artim Šakiri Artim Šakiri or Shaqiri (, ; born 23 September 1973) is a retired football midfielder from the Republic of Macedonia, who last played for Qarabağ FK in Azerbaijan in 2009. While managing FK Kukësi in 2014, Šakiri was ranked as the best manager of the Albanian Superliga and the second best manager of Albanian origin in the world. Šakiri was born to an Albanian family"
"confirmed that he had become the father to twins. Burim Kukeli Burim Nue Kukeli (born 16 January 1984) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Swiss club Sion and the Albania national team. An Zofingen product, Kukeli started his professional career in the 2004–05 season where he played 24 matches before earning a transfer to Schötz where he played in the next two seasons. In 2008, he joined Luzern where he made more than 100 top flight appearances. From 2012 to 2017, he joined Zürich where he made played more than 80 league matches. However,"
"Josh Maja Joshua Erowoli Orisunmibare Oluwaseun Maja (born 29 December 1998), is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for League One side Sunderland. Born in the London Borough of Lewisham to Nigerian parents, Maja grew up in Pimlico, London. As a youngster he played for the youth teams of Crystal Palace and Fulham, and despite being formally registered with Fulham he spent some time with Manchester City. Maja was not offered a scholarship by Manchester City and in March 2015, Sunderland reached an agreement with Fulham for him to sign a two-year scholarship. In May 2016, he signed"
"of the North American Soccer League (NASL). He remained with Montreal through the 1983 season. He then began the 1984 season with the Tampa Bay Rowdies before being traded to the Vancouver Whitecaps, and then finishing his career back in England with Rochdale. Tony Towers Mark Anthony Towers (born 13 April 1952) is an English former professional footballer who played for Manchester City, Sunderland, Birmingham City, Rochdale and England as a midfielder. Towers made his professional debut five days after his seventeenth birthday in April 1969, playing for Manchester City in a 3–0 defeat against Southampton. He made a handful"
"Arijanet Muric Arijanet Anan Muric (, born 7 November 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Manchester City and the Kosovo national team. He previously played for Montenegro national under-21 football team. Muric was born in Schlieren, Switzerland to Albanian parents from Rožaje, Montenegro. He holds Kosovan, Montenegrin and Swiss passports. Muric is a product of Swiss youth teams as YF Juventus, Zürich and Grasshoppers. In 2015, he joined with youth team of Manchester City. On 27 July 2017, Muric signed a three-year professional contract with Manchester City. On 31 July 2018, Muric joined"
"Stefan Savić Stefan Savić (, ; born 8 January 1991) is a Montenegrin professional footballer who plays for Spanish club Atlético Madrid and the Montenegro national team as a central defender. Born in Mojkovac, Savić started his career at the local club Brskovo, before moving to BSK Borča, and then to Partizan. He won the double with Partizan, and then joined Manchester City for £6 million, winning the Premier League title in his only season there. In 2012, he was transferred to Fiorentina, making over 100 appearances across three seasons before signing with Atlético Madrid in 2015, where won the"
"Samuel Gilmore (footballer) Samuel Arowolo Gilmore (born 20 July 1996) is a Nigerian footballer, who currently plays for the Albanian Albanian Superliga champions FK Kukësi. Gilmore began his career with Success F.C. of Lagos in Nigeria. In 2013, he signed with Magic F.C., and in summer 2015 he joined the Israeli club Hapoel Acre on a one-season loan deal. He played his first game in the Israeli Premier League on 31 August 2015 against Bnei Yehuda He scored his first goal in the Israeli Premier League on 26 September 2015 against Hapoel Be'er Sheva On 30 of August 2017 he"
"decent pedigree"". Freddie Veseli Frédéric Shtjefan Veseli (born 20 November 1992), commonly known as Freddie Veseli, is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Italian Serie A club Empoli and the Albania national team. His main position is centre back but he can also play at right back and left back. Born in Renens, Switzerland, Veseli began his youth career with local club FC Renens before joining Lausanne-Sport in 2005. In 2008, he was signed by English club Manchester City, before joining Manchester United in January 2012. Having failed to break into the first team, he was"
"January 2017, Honeyman featured for Sunderland in their FA cup game against Burnley. Sunderland manager David Moyes stated after the game that Honeyman was one of the positives from the game despite the 2–0 defeat. He scored his first goal for Sunderland in a 1–0 EFL Cup win against Bury on 10 August 2017. Just 6 days later he scored his first league goal for the club against Sheffield Wednesday. George Honeyman George Christopher Honeyman (born 8 September 1994) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Sunderland. Born in Prudhoe, Northumberland, Honeyman joined Sunderland's academy at the"