Ronaldo Shani Explained

Ronaldo Shani
Birth Date:29 March 2002
Birth Place:Greece
Height:1.82 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Thesprotos
Clubnumber:9
Youthclubs1:Atromitos Metamorfosis
Youthyears2:2015–2018
Youthclubs2:Atromitos
Years1:2018–2022
Clubs1:Atromitos
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2021–2022
Clubs2:Asteras Vlachioti (loan)
Caps2:7
Goals2:0
Years3:2022
Clubs3:Ypato
Years4:2022–2023
Clubs4:SV Neuhof
Caps4:13
Goals4:2
Years5:2023–
Clubs5:Thesprotos
Caps5:11
Goals5:1
Nationalyears1:2018
Nationalteam1:Greece U16
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2018–2019
Nationalteam2:Greece U17
Nationalcaps2:5
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:27 August 2023

Ronaldo Shani (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Ρονάλντο Σάνι; born 29 March 2002) is a Greek professional footballer who plays as a forward for Super League 2 club Thesprotos.

Early life

Shani was born in Greece to Albanian parents.[1]

Club career

Having begun his career with Atromitos Metamorfosis, Shani joined the academy of professional side Atromitos at the age of thirteen.[1] [2] In November 2016 he went on trial with Italian side Atalanta.[1] He marked his unofficial debut for Atromitos with a goal, scoring in a friendly against Panathinaikos on 12 September 2018.[2] The following week he signed his first professional contract with the club.[3]

Shani made his professional debut for Atromitos on 19 December 2018, coming on as a substitute for Theodoros Vasilakakis in an 8–0 win over Thyella Kamariou in the Greek Cup.[4] In October 2019, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian on "Next Generation" list, highlighting the best players in the world born in 2002.[5]

He was loaned to Super League Greece 2 side Asteras Vlachioti in August 2021, alongside teammate Fotis Zannis.[6] Following seven appearances for the club, he returned to Atromitos, but moved immediately to Gamma Ethniki side Ypato on a free transfer.[7] Later in the same year, he moved to Germany to join Hessenliga side SV Neuhof.[8]

On his return to Greece in January 2023, he joined Thesprotos.[9]

International career

Eligible to represent Greece and Albania at international level, Shani rejected an approach from the Albanian Football Association in order to represent Greece.[5] He went on to represent Greece at under-16 and under-17 level.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Atromitos2018–19Super League Greece00100010
2019–2000000000
2020–2100000000
2021–2200000000
Total00100010
Asteras Vlachioti (loan)2021–22Super League Greece 270100080
SV Neuhof2022–23Hessenliga1320000132
Thesprotos2022–23Super League Greece 21110000111
Career total3132000333

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ιταλικό ενδιαφέρον για τον 14χρονο Ρονάλντο του Ατρόμητου. Italian interest in 14-year-old Ronaldo of Atromitos. 22 November 2016. 27 August 2023. contra.gr. el.
  2. Web site: Ρονάλντο: Ο νέος Λημνιός του Ατρομήτου. Ronaldo: The new Limnion of Atromitos. 12 September 2018. 27 August 2023. sdna.gr. el.
  3. Web site: Επαγγελματικά συμβόλαια για τρεις στον Ατρόμητο. Professional contracts for three in Atromitos. 19 September 2018. 27 August 2023. fosonline.gr. el.
  4. Web site: Πρόκριση στην επόμενη φάση του κυπέλλου. Advance to the next phase of the cup. 19 December 2018. 27 August 2023. atromitosfc.gr. el.
  5. Web site: Next Generation 2019: 60 of the best young talents in world football. Marcus. Christenson. Jim. Powell. Garry. Blight. 10 October 2019. 11 November 2021. The Guardian.
  6. Web site: Ατρόμητος: Δανεικοί στον Αστέρα Βλαχιώτη οι Ρονάλντο και Ζάννης. Atromitos: Ronaldo and Zannis on loan to Asteras Vlachiotis. 25 August 2021. 27 August 2023. sportime.gr. el.
  7. Web site: Γ’ Εθνική: «Σουπερλιγκάτη» ενίσχυση στην επίθεση για τον ΑΟ Υπάτου!. 3rd National Team: "Super League" reinforcement in the attack for AO Ypatos!. 3 February 2022. 27 August 2023. mikriliga.com. el.
  8. Web site: Ronaldo sieht zweite Neuhofer Niederlage. Ronaldo sees second Neuhofer defeat. 8 August 2022. 27 August 2023. osthessen-news.de. de.
  9. Web site: Κουέβας και Σάνι ο Θεσπρωτός. Kuevas and Sani the Thesprotos. 22 January 2023. 27 August 2023. footballleaguenews.gr. el.