Dijar Nikqi Explained

Dijar Nikqi
Birth Date:20 October 2004
Birth Place:Peja, Kosovo
Height:1.85 m
Position:Centre-forward
Clubnumber:9
Youthyears1:2020–2021
Youthclubs1:Laçi
Youthyears2:2021–2022
Youthclubs2:Akademia e Futbollit
Youthyears3:2022–2023
Youthclubs3:Tirana
Years1:2022–
Clubs1:Tirana
Caps1:39
Goals1:6
Years2:2023
Clubs2:Teuta (loan)
Caps2:3
Goals2:0
Years3:2024–
Clubs3:Vora (loan)
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Nationalyears1:2021–
Nationalteam1:Albania U18
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2021–
Nationalteam2:Albania U21
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:18 October 2023
Nationalteam-Update:16 November 2021

Dijar Nikqi (born 20 October 2004) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for Kategoria Superiore club Tirana.

Club career

Early career and Laçi

Nikqi is a product of youth team systems of the different Kosovan and Albanian sides. In the summer 2020 transfer window, he joined with Kategoria Superiore club Laçi.[1] His debut with Laçi came on 1 November in the 2020–21 Albanian Cup first round against Vora after coming on as a substitute in the 57th minute in place of Kyrian Nwabueze.[2]

Akademia e Futbollit

At the start of January 2021, Nikqi joined with Albanian club Akademia e Futbollit. His debut with Akademia e Futbollit came on 9 January in a 2020–21 Albanian Cup U19 match against Butrinti after being named in the starting line-up and scored his side's three goals during a 3–2 away win.[3]

Tirana

At the start of January 2022, Nikqi joined with Kategoria Superiore club Tirana. His debut with Tirana came on 20 February against Kastrioti after coming on as a substitute in the 82nd minute in place of Redon Xhixha and scored his side's only goal during a 1–2 away defeat.[4] [5]

International career

On 21 July 2018, Nikqi was selected by the Peja selection of Kosovo U15.[6] In October 2020, he received the Albanian passport and this paved the way for him to represent Albania.[7] On 5 August 2021, Nikqi received a call-up from Albania U18 for the friendly match against Italy U18,[8] and made his debut after being named in the starting line-up. Twenty-two days later, he received a call-up from Albania U21 for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Czech Republic U21,[9] and made his debut after coming on as a substitute in the 46th minute in place of Bernard Karrica.[10]

Honours

Club

Tirana

2021–22

2022

Notes and References

  1. News: Nga Sherri te Mazrekaj, sa shumë afrime në merkato për Laçin. From Sherri to Mazrekaj, how many approaches in the market for Laçi. Albanian. Panorama Sport. 20 August 2020.
  2. Web site: Laçi vs. Vora 3–0. Soccerway. 1 November 2020.
  3. Web site: KF Butrinti 2:3 Akademia e Futbollit. Albanian. Albanian Football Association. 9 January 2021.
  4. Web site: Kastrioti Krujë vs. Tirana 2–1. Soccerway. 20 February 2022.
  5. News: Ishte në provë te Hellas Verona dhe është pjesë e Kombëtares U21, njihuni me talentin 17-vjeçar që debutoi me gol te Tirana. He was on trials at Hellas Verona and is part of the national U21 team, meet the 17-year-old talent who debuted with a goal in Tirana. Albanian. Newsport.al. 20 February 2022.
  6. Web site: Filloi Kampi Jubilar Kombëtar për U-15. The National Jubilee Camp for U-15 started. Albanian. Football Federation of Kosovo. 21 July 2018.
  7. News: Ekskluzive/Fabrika e qokave: 382 të huajt që morën shtetësi shqiptare nga Meta në emër të 'interesit kombëtar' pa u verifikuar për sigurinë! Ja emrat. Exclusive/Gift Factory: 382 foreigners who received Albanian citizenship from Meta in the name of 'national interest' without being verified for security! Here are the names. Albanian. Shqiptarja.com. 14 October 2020.
  8. Web site: U-18/Edhe Behari publikon listën për ndeshjen ndaj Italisë. U-18/Behari also publishes the list for the match against Italy. Albanian. Albanian Football Association. 5 August 2021.
  9. Web site: EURO 2023 për moshën U-21/Trajneri Bushi zbardh listën për ndeshjen ndaj Çekisë. EURO 2023 for the age of U-21/Coach Bush whitens the list for the match against Czechia. Albanian. Albanian Football Association. 27 August 2021.
  10. Web site: Czech Republic U21 vs. Albania U21 4–0. Soccerway. 6 September 2021.