Xhevdet Shabani | |
Birth Date: | 10 October 1986 |
Birth Place: | Kaçanik, SFR Yugoslavia |
Height: | 1.82 m |
Position: | Midfielder |
Youthyears1: | 2002–2007 |
Youthclubs1: | Lepenci |
Years1: | 2007–2009 |
Caps1: | 60 |
Goals1: | 10 |
Years2: | 2009–2010 |
Caps2: | 25 |
Goals2: | 4 |
Years3: | 2010–2012 |
Caps3: | 46 |
Goals3: | 12 |
Years4: | 2012–2014 |
Clubs4: | Drita |
Caps4: | 48 |
Goals4: | 11 |
Years5: | 2014 |
Caps5: | 14 |
Goals5: | 3 |
Years6: | 2014–2015 |
Caps6: | 17 |
Goals6: | 2 |
Years7: | 2015–2016 |
Clubs7: | Drita |
Caps7: | 32 |
Goals7: | 8 |
Years8: | 2016–2017 |
Caps8: | 29 |
Goals8: | 9 |
Years9: | 2017–2021 |
Clubs9: | Drita |
Caps9: | 126 |
Goals9: | 31 |
Years10: | 2021–2022 |
Caps10: | 4 |
Goals10: | 0 |
Years11: | 2022 |
Caps11: | 17 |
Goals11: | 0 |
Years12: | 2022 |
Caps12: | 0 |
Goals12: | 0 |
Xhevdet Shabani (born 10 October 1986) is a Kosovar former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is nicknamed as "Rrapa".
In June 2014, Shabani moved for the first time aboard and signed with Albanian Superliga side Teuta Durrës for the 2014–15 season.[1] In an interview, he said that the reason he signed was the project and club's ambition.[1] He commenced the season on 23 August by scoring in the 2–1 loss to Flamurtari Vlorë in the opening week of championship.[2]
Later on 10 September, Shabani scored a brace to lead the team into a 1–5 win over fellow relegation strugglers Elbasani for the first victory of the season.[3] He finished the first part of the season with 14 matches and 3 goals, in addition to 1 cup match, before leaving in January to return to Kosovo.
On 11 January 2015, Shabani returned in Kosovo to sign a six-month contract with top flight side Feronikeli.[4] He debuted for the team on 1 March in the matchday 17 against Kosova Vushtrri, receiving a red card in the second half in an eventual 0–2 away win.[5] He scored his maiden Ferronikeli goal on 8 May in the 3–0 home win over Ferizaj to bring the team closer to the title.[6] He finished the second part of the season by appearing in 17 league matches and scoring twice as Ferronikeli won the 2014–15 Football Superleague of Kosovo.[7] Shabani left as a free agent in July 2015 after his contract ran out.[8]
In May 2016, Shabani completed a transfer at Besa Pejë by penning a contract for 2016–17 season.[9] During his first at only season at The Eagles, Shabani scored 9 goals in 29 league appearances as Besa finished 6th in championship.
On 16 June 2017, Shabani returned to Drita for a third time by penning a one-year contract, taking the squad number 10 in the process.[10] He made his competitive debut later on 20 August in the opening match of championship against Prishtina, scoring the lone goal of the match.[11] In matchday 5 against Drenica, Shabani produced a Man of the Match performance by assisting the second goal and winning the penalty which lead to the third goal in a 3–0 home win which returned Drita to the winning ways after three consecutive matches.[12] Later on 10 October, he scored his first brace of the season against the leaders of Llapi to bring Drita closer to the lead of championship.[13]
On 6 December, in the 2017–18 Kosovar Cup fourth round against Feronikeli, Shabani scored the opener for a 3–0 win to send Drita through to the next round.[14] His performances throughout the year earned him a spot at Football Superleague of Kosovo Team of the Year 2017.[15] He along with Ardian Limani were the only Drita players to be selected.[15]
Drita won the championship on 20 May 2018 after holding on into a draw in the final matchday versus Prishtina, finishing three points above them and also clinching a spot to 2018–19 UEFA Champions League preliminary round.[16] Shabani was ever-present, playing all matches as starter, netting 10 goals which placed him as the team's second scorer of the 2017–18 season.[17]
On 12 June 2018, it was announced that Drita would play their first Champions League game versus Santa Coloma.[18] The team won the match 2–0, with Shabani scoring Drita's first ever Champions League with a curled shot outside the box to break the deadlock in the 9th minute of extra-time.[19]
On 22 January 2018. Shabani received his first call-up from Kosovo for the friendly match against Azerbaijan.[20] The match however was cancelled two days later, which prolonged his debut.[21]