Albin Berisha Explained

Albin Berisha
Upright:0.75
Birth Date:14 January 2001
Birth Place:Gjinoc, FR Yugoslavia
Height:1.89 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Hansa Rostock
Clubnumber:9
Youthyears1:–2017
Youthclubs1:Ballkani
Youthyears2:2017–2018
Youthclubs2:Kukësi
Youthyears3:2018–2019
Youthclubs3:Laçi
Years1:2018
Clubs1:Kukësi
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2018–2019
Clubs2:Laçi
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2019
Clubs3:Besa Pejë
Years4:2019–2024
Clubs4:Ballkani
Caps4:45
Goals4:11
Years5:2020–2021
Clubs5:Liria Prizren (loan)
Years6:2022
Clubs6:Malisheva (loan)
Caps6:9
Goals6:3
Years7:2024
Clubs7:Petrolul Ploiești
Caps7:17
Goals7:4
Years8:2024–
Clubs8:Hansa Rostock
Caps8:0
Goals8:0
Club-Update:14 August 2024

Albin Berisha (born 14 January 2001) is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Hansa Rostock.

Berisha began his senior career at Kategoria Superiore clubs Kukësi and Laçi, before returning to his native Kosovo at Besa Pejë in 2019. In the summer of that year, he moved to Kosovo Superleague club Ballkani, with which he won several domestic honours following loans at Liria Prizren and Malisheva. In 2024, he signed for Romanian team Petrolul Ploiești.

Club career

Early career and Albania

Berisha started his junior career at his hometown club Ballkani, from where he was transferred to Albanian side Kukësi in 2017. He was initially assigned to the under-17 and under-19 teams, and on 6 February 2018 was promoted to the first team.[1] On 10 March that year, he was named as a substitute for the first time in a Kategoria Superiore match against Teuta Durrës.[2]

Berisha then moved to fellow league team Laçi in the summer of 2018. He made his debut on 26 September, starting and scoring two goals in a 9–0 home rout of Naftëtari in the first round of the Albanian Cup.[3] Midway through the 2018–19 campaign, Berisha returned to his native Kosovo by signing for Besa Pejë, recently relegated to the second division.

Ballkani

On 28 July 2019, Berisha rejoined his former youth side Ballkani in the Kosovo Superleague.[4]

Loan to Liria Prizren and first return from loan

Following his debut season, Berisha was sent on a one-year loan to Liria Prizren on 7 September 2020.[5] On 21 August 2021, he returned from his loan and extended his contract until 2025.[6] Berisha played his first match after his return a day later against Dukagjini, coming on as a 61st-minute substitute for Ermal Krasniqi.

Loan to Malisheva

Berisha played for Ballkani during the first half of the 2021–22 campaign, but moved on loan to fellow league team Malisheva on 1 February 2022.[7] He made his debut 12 days later against Prishtina, being named in the starting lineup.[8]

Second return from loan

On 5 July 2022, Berisha registered his debut in European competitions by starting in a 1–1 home draw to Žalgiris in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.[9] On 19 July, he scored his first European goal in a 4–0 away thrashing of La Fiorita in the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League.[10]

Berisha made six appearances in the group stage of the latter competition, but only started in a 0–1 away loss to CFR Cluj on 3 November. On 21 January 2023, he started in the 1–0 victory over Llapi in the 2022 Kosovar Supercup.[11]

Berisha won his second national title with Ballkani at the end of the 2022–23 season. His side qualified again to the Europa Conference League, and this time he started in all six matches of the group stage, including the 2–0 home win over Dinamo Zagreb on 5 October 2023.[12]

Petrolul Ploiești

On 5 February 2024, Berisha signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Romanian club Petrolul Ploiești,[13] for a rumoured fee of €200,000 plus 20% interest on a future sale.[14] He made his debut eleven days later, scoring a late winner in a 2–1 home Liga I victory over Politehnica Iași.[15]

On 29 July 2024, Berisha scored his first goal of the season in a 1–0 league derby win over Rapid București.[16]

Hansa Rostock

On 14 August 2024, Berisha moved to German side Hansa Rostock for an undisclosed transfer fee.[17]

International career

In 2019, Berisha was called up by the Kosovo national under-19 team for a training camp held between 7 and 9 May.[18] On the 20th that month, he received another call-up for the friendlies against Albania,[19] but was an unused substitute in both matches.

Honours

Ballkani

2021–22, 2022–23

2022

Notes and References

  1. News: Kukësi afron dy talente nga ekipi i moshave. Kukësi brings together two talents from the same age group. Gazeta Tema. Albanian. 6 February 2018. 6 February 2024.
  2. Web site: Kukësi vs. Teuta Durrës. Soccerway. 10 March 2018. 6 February 2024.
  3. Web site: Laçi vs. Naftëtari Kuçovë. Soccerway. 26 September 2018. 6 February 2024.
  4. News: Zyrtare: Kapra dhe Berisha i bashkohen Ballkanit. Official: Kapra and Berisha join Ballkani. Telegrafi. Albanian. 28 July 2019. 6 February 2024.
  5. Web site: Albin Berisha, bashkohet me Lirinë. Albin Berisha joins Liria. KF Liria Prizren on Facebook. Albanian. 7 September 2020. 6 February 2024.
  6. Web site: Berisha vazhdon bashkëpunimin me FC Ballkanin deri më 2025. Berisha continues with FC Ballkani until 2025. Suharek aOnline. Albanian. 21 August 2021. 6 February 2024.
  7. Web site: FC Ballkani ndanë rrugët me Bleon Sekiraqën dhe huazon tre lojtarë. FC Ballkaniparted ways with Bleon Sekiraqa and loaned three players. Suhareka Online. Albanian. 1 February 2022. 6 February 2024.
  8. Web site: Malisheva – Prishtina, 11-shet startuese. Malisheva – Prishtina, the starting 11th. TopSporti. Albanian. 13 February 2022. 6 February 2024.
  9. Web site: Ballkani - Žalgiris 1–1. UEFA.com. 5 July 2022. 4 February 2024.
  10. News: Vjen edhe goli i katërt, edhe Albin Berisha shënon ndaj La Fioritas. The fourth goal comes, Albin Berisha also scores against La Fioritas. Albanian. GazetaBlic. 19 July 2022. 6 February 2024.
  11. Web site: Ballkani fitues i Superkupës, mposht Llapin në Turqi. Ballkani wins the Supercup, defeats Llapi in Turkey. Albanian. Football Federation of Kosovo. 21 January 2023. 6 February 2024.
  12. Web site: Formacionet zyrtare, Ballkani – Dinamo Zagreb. Official lineups, Ballkani – Dinamo Zagreb. Albanian. Football Federation of Kosovo. 5 October 2023. 6 February 2024.
  13. Web site: Bun venit, Albin Berisha!. Welcome, Albin Berisha!. ro. FC Petrolul Ploiești. 5 February 2024. 6 February 2024.
  14. Web site: EXCLUSIV Toate detaliile despre transferul lui Albin Berisha la Petrolul Ploiești. Când va fi prezentat oficial atacantul kosovar. EXCLUSIVE All the details about the transfer of Albin Berisha to Petrolul Ploiești. When will the Kosovan striker be officially presented. ro. Antena Sport. 2 February 2024. 6 February 2024.
  15. Web site: "De-acum sunt un «lup»!". Kosovarul Albin Berisha, gol la debut pentru Petrolul + visează să ajungă la echipa națională. "From now on I'm a wolf!". The Kosovan footballer Albin Berisha, goal on his debut for Petrolul + he dreams of going to the national team. ro. Gazeta Sporturilor. 16 February 2024. 17 February 2024.
  16. Web site: Albin Berisha i-a adus victoria Petrolului în derby-ul cu Rapid și a reacționat: "Vor veni lucruri bune". Albin Berisha brought the victory for Petrolul in the derby against Rapid and reacted: "Good things will come". ro. Digi Sport. 30 July 2024. 16 August 2024.
  17. Web site: Stürmer Albin Berisha kommt mit internationaler Erfahrung. Striker Albin Berisha comes with international experience. FC Hansa Rostock. de. 14 August 2024. 14 August 2024.
  18. Web site: Kombëtarja U19 mban grumbullim treditor. The U19 national team holds a three-day training camp. Football Federation of Kosovo. Albanian. 2 May 2019. 6 February 2024.
  19. Web site: Kosova U19 zhvillon dy miqësore me Shqipërinë U19 në fillim të qershorit. Kosovo U19 holds two friendlies with Albania U19 at the beginning of June. Football Federation of Kosovo. Albanian. 20 May 2019. 6 February 2024.