Andi Ribaj Explained

Andi Ribaj
Birth Date:21 November 1989
Birth Place:Vlorë, Albania
Height:1.83 m
Position:Striker
Youthyears1:2002–2008
Youthclubs1:Apolonia Fier
Years1:2008–2013
Clubs1:Apolonia
Caps1:83
Goals1:12
Years2:2013–2014
Clubs2:Skënderbeu
Caps2:42
Goals2:8
Years3:2015–2015
Clubs3:Apolonia
Caps3:17
Goals3:6
Years4:2015–2016
Caps4:29
Goals4:1
Years5:2016–2017
Clubs5:Teuta
Caps5:26
Goals5:4
Years6:2017–2018
Clubs6:Vllaznia
Caps6:31
Goals6:5
Years7:2018–2023
Clubs7:Flamurtari
Caps7:74
Goals7:12
Club-Update:28 May 2023

Andi Ribaj (born 21 November 1989) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a striker.

Club career

In January 2015, Ribaj made his return to Apolonia after one-and-a-half season by signed a six-month contract.[1] He debuted for the first time after his return in the last day of the same month, starting and playing full-90 minutes in a 2–0 loss against Partizani.[2]

On 3 August 2015, Ribaj moved for the first time abroad as he signed a three-year deal with Liga Leumit side Maccabi Kiryat Gat.[3] He made his debut for the club on 21 August in the opening league match against Maccabi Ahi Nazareth,[4] and scored his first goal three weeks later during the 1–2 home defeat to Hapoël Rishon LeZion.[5] That was his only strike of the season, as he appeared in 29 league matches, in addition one cup match.

In September 2016, he was bought on trial by fellow Albanian Superliga club Partizani,[6] playing a friendly match for reserve team against Dinamo Tirana.[6] However, he was not offered a contract by the technical staff after failing impressing,[7] and eventually ended up by penning a one-year contract with other top flight club Teuta.[8]

Ribaj made his official debut on 12 October against his former side Skënderbeu, failing to score as Teuta slumped into a 1–0 away defeat.[9] He scored his maiden Teuta goal later on 30 November in the matchday 13 against Flamurtari, netting his team's only goal in an eventual 1–2 home defeat.[10] Then, he scored a brace in the 0–2 away win at Laçi to give Teuta three important points against the survival relegations rivals.[11] Ribaj finished the season with 4 goals in 26 league appearances, collecting 1300 on the field as Teuta secured another season in the Albanian Superliga. He left the team after the end of the season.[12]

In September 2017, Ribaj was close to a move to Kastrioti of Albanian First Division,[13] but eventually joined Vllaznia in top flight on a one-year contract.[14] He ended a barren run of 14 league games without a goal for Vllaznia on 16 December 2017, when he headed in against Kamza at Loro Boriçi Stadium to give the home side a 1–0 lead. The match finished 3–2 for Vllaznia.[15]

Ribaj concluded his first and only season in Shkodër by scoring 5 goals in 31 league appearances, as Vllaznia was relegated for the first time in 60 years, just one year before the club's 100 anniversary.[16]

In September 2018, Ribaj remained in top flight, signing a contract with Flamurtari.[17] He scored his first goal for the club later on 17 February 2019 in a 2–0 home win over Skënderbeu.[18]

Career statistics

[19] [20] [21]

Club statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueCupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Apolonia2009–10Albanian Superliga19100191
2010–11Albanian First Division13200132
2011–12Albanian Superliga251541[22] 2317
268322710
Total831286129220
Skënderbeu2013–14Albanian Superliga318602[23] 11[24] 0409
2014–15110442[25] 010184
Total42810441205813
Apolonia2014–15Albanian Superliga17621197
Maccabi Kiryat Gat2015–16Liga Leumit29110301
Teuta2016–17Albanian Superliga26450314
Vllaznia2017–18Albanian Superliga31541356
Flamurtari2018–19Albanian Superliga10110111
Career total238373112413227652

Honours

Club

Skënderbeu Korçë[19]

2013–14

2013, 2014

Notes and References

  1. News: Apolonia, tripletë në merkato. Apolonia, treble in transfer market. Panorama Sport. Albanian. 31 January 2015. 12 May 2015.
  2. News: Apolonia Fier vs. Partizani Tirana 0 – 2. Soccerway. 31 January 2015. 27 July 2015.
  3. News: החלוץ האלבני אנדי ריבאז' חתם בקרית גת. Sport5.co.il. Hebrew. 3 August 2015. 14 September 2016.
  4. News: Ironi Kiryat Gat vs. Maccabi Ahi Nazareth 1 – 2. Soccerway. 21 August 2015. 21 August 2015.
  5. News: Ironi Kiryat Gat vs. Hapoel Rishon LeZion 1 – 2. Soccerway. 28 September 2015. 28 September 2015.
  6. News: Andi Ribaj në provë te Partizani, në lojë edhe Mazrekaj. Andi Ribaj on trial at Partizani, on game even Mazrekaj. Panorama Sport. Albanian. 14 September 2016. 14 September 2016.
  7. News: Andi Ribaj si meteor, provohet e largohet nga Partizani. Andi Ribaj like an meteor, comes on trial and leaves. Panorama Sport. Albanian. 15 September 2016. 4 September 2017.
  8. News: U bashkua me Partizanin, përfundon te Teuta. Joined Partizani, ends up at Teuta. Newsport.al. Albanian. 22 September 2016. 4 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170905004317/http://newsport.al/2016/09/u-bashkua-partizanin-perfundon-te-teuta/. 5 September 2017. dead.
  9. News: Teuta me përforcim të ri në sulm, Ribaj debuton ndaj ish-ekipit në Korçë. Teuta with a new inforcment on attack, Ribaj debuted against his former team in Korçë. Newsport.al. Albanian. 13 October 2016. 4 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170905010341/http://newsport.al/2016/10/teuta-perforcim-te-ri-ne-sulm-ribaj-debuton-ndaj-ish-ekipit-ne-korce/. 5 September 2017. dead.
  10. News: Teuta Durrës vs. Flamurtari Vlorë 1 – 2. Soccerway. 30 November 2016. 4 September 2017.
  11. News: Dy herë Ribaj, Teuta mund Laçin dhe del nga zona e ftohtë (Video). Ribaj twice, Teuta beats Laçi and gets out of the cold zone. Panorama Sport. Albanian. 22 December 2016. 4 September 2017.
  12. News: Lëvizje te Teuta, largohet dyshja e sulmit. Movements at Teuta, the forward duo leaves. Sportal.al. Albanian. 30 May 2017. 4 September 2017.
  13. News: Kastrioti nuk ndalet, Ribaj goditja e merkatos. Kastrioti doesn't stop, Ribaj the mercato hit. Sport Ekspres. Albanian. Bujar Balliu. 4 September 2017. 7 September 2017.
  14. News: Afrimi që mbylli merkaton, Ribaj: Nuk e refuzoja dot Vllazninë. The approach that ended mercato, Ribaj: I couldn't refuse Vllaznia. Panorama Sport. Albanian. 7 September 2017. 7 September 2017.
  15. News: Vuajtje pa fund, por Vllaznia ringjallet. Endless suffering, but Vllaznia resurrected. Sport Ekspres. Albanian. 16 December 2017. 16 December 2017.
  16. News: Goleada më e hidhur në histori, Vllaznia bie nga kategoria!. The bitterest goal fest in history, Vllaznia relegated!. Top-Channel.tv. Albanian. 23 May 2015. 17 February 2019.
  17. News: EKSKLUZIVE/ Flamurtari godet në merkato, ish-sulmuesi i VLLAZNISË firmos në Vlorë. Exclusive/ Flamurtari strikes in transfer market, ex-Vllaznia forward signs in Vlora. Newsport.al. Albanian. 8 September 2018. 17 February 2019.
  18. News: VIDEO/ Flamurtari triumfon ndaj Skënderbeut, Oto Xhon "djeg" korçarët. Video/ Flamurtari prevails versus Skënderbeu, Otto John “burns” korçarët. Panorama Sport. Albanian. 17 February 2019. 17 February 2019.
  19. News: Albania - A. Ribaj - Profile with news, career statistics and history. Soccerway. 14 September 2016.
  20. News: Andi Ribaj : Football Database. Football Database. 14 September 2016.
  21. News: Andi Ribaj FSHF. FSHF.org. 17 December 2017.
  22. Appearance in Albanian Superliga play-offs
  23. All appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  24. Appearance in Albanian Supercup
  25. All appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League