Argjend Malaj

Argjend Malaj (born 16 October 1994) is a Kosovar-Albanian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for KF Feronikeli.

Argjend Malaj
Personal information
Full name Argjend Malaj
Date of birth (1994-10-16) 16 October 1994
Place of birth Vučitrn, FR Yugoslavia
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Central midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Feronikeli
Number 14
Youth career
2004–2012 KEK
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2014 Prishtina 15 (1)
2014–2016 Tirana 54 (0)
2016–2018 Skënderbeu 9 (0)
2018–2019 Kamza 33 (0)
2019– Feronikeli 1 (0)
National team
2013–2014 Kosovo U21[1] 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:45, 9 October 2019 (UTC)

Club career

Prishtina

Malaj joined FC Prishtina in the summer transfer window of 2013 from KF KEK at the age of 18 and he joined the first team at the club. In April, he went on a short trial with German giants Borussia Dortmund[2][3] before returning to FC Prishtina to finish off the season with 15 league appearances and one goal.

Tirana

He signed a one-year contract with Albanian Superliga club Tirana on 3 July 2014, with the option of another year at the end of the season. He moved on a free transfer and his reported salary would be in the region of €24,000 and €30,000 a year.[4] He made his debut with the club on the opening day of the 2014–15 Albanian Superliga campaign in a home tie against newly promoted side Apolonia Fier. Malaj came on as a 67th-minute substitute for forward Mario Morina in a game that ended in a 3–0 win.[5][6] He made his first start for the club on 11 September against Vllaznia Shkodër, in a 1–1 draw which was infamously marred by crowd trouble which saw 13 people arrested and both clubs' fans receiving lengthy stadium bans.[7][8][9]

Malaj scored his first goal with Tirana on 24 January 2016, a match-winner against Flamurtari Vlorë in the first leg of the 2015–16 Albanian Cup's quarter-final.[10] He left the team in June 2016 after couldn't reach an argument with the club directors for the new contract.

Skënderbeu Korçë

On 24 June, Malaj officially joined Skënderbeu Korçë on a free transfer, signing a contract until June 2019.[11] He was presented on the same day along with Hektor Idrizaj.[11] On 6 May 2017, during the league match against Vllaznia Shkodër at home, Malaj suffered an injury and was taken off the field by stretcher as the match finished 4–3 for the home side.[12] Following the examinations, it was reported that Malaj had injured his left leg's ligament which requires surgery, ending thus his season. He successfully underwent surgery on 13 May.[13]

International career

Malaj has expressed his desire to represent Albania internationally. Due to fierce competition, he was called up and decided to play for Kosovo.[14]

Career statistics

Club
As of 14 May 2017[15][16]
Club Season League Cup[lower-alpha 1] Continental[lower-alpha 2] Other[lower-alpha 3] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tirana 2014–15 Albanian Superliga 24060——300
2015–16 30041——341
Total 540101——641
Skënderbeu Korçë 2016–17 Albanian Superliga 90410000131
Total 90410000131
Career total 6301420000772
  1. Including cup competitions, such as Albanian Cup
  2. Including continental competitions, such as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League
  3. Including other competitions, such as Albanian Supercup

References
  1. "Football, Kosovo debuted internationally". Lajme Online. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  2. "Argjend Malaj në Gjermani" [Argjend Malaj in Germany] (in Albanian). Prishtina Magazine. 22 April 2014. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  3. "Dortmund proven Argjend Malajn" [Dortmund tests Argjend Malaj] (in Albanian). Borozani.com. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  4. "Zyrtare, Argjend Malaj firmos për Tiranën" [Official, Argjend Malaj signs for Tirana] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  5. "Tirana vs. Apolonia Fier 3 – 0". Soccerway. 24 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  6. Merko, Adela (25 August 2014). ""Fluturon" Tirana, gola dhe spektakël ndaj Apolonisë. Magani: S'duhet të shpërdoronim" [Tirana "flies", goals and show against on Apolonia. Magani: We shouldn't have wasted] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  7. "Vllaznia Shkodër vs. Tirana 1 – 1". Soccerway. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  8. "Dhunë në Vllaznia-Tirana, 4 policë e 6 tifozë të plagosur, goditet në kokë Refik Halili" [Violence in Vllaznia-Tirana, 4 cops and 6 fans wounded, Refik Halili is hit in the head] (in Albanian). Gazeta Shqip. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  9. "Vllaznia-Tirana, ndeshja përfundon në dhunë, goditet edhe presidenti Refik Halili" [Vllaznia-Tirana, the match ends on violence, even the president Refik Halili is hit] (in Albanian). Ora News. 11 September 2014. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  10. "VIDEO/ Tirana feston në Vlorë, vendos goli i Malajt" [VIDEO/ Tirana celebrates in Vlorë, Malaj's goal decides] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  11. "Skënderbeu, prezantohen Idrizaj e Malaj" [Skënderbeu, Idrizaj and Malaj presented] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  12. "Skënderbeu Korçë vs. Vllaznia Shkodër 4 – 3". Soccerway. 6 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  13. "Sa i pafat Malaj, dëmtim i rëndë në ligament" [How unlucky is Malaj, a big injury in ligaments] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 14 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  14. "Argjendi synon ligat e mëdha evropiane" [Argjend aims Europe's biggest leagues] (in Albanian). Kosova Alive 360. 11 April 2014. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  15. "Kosovo - A. Malaj - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  16. "Football : Argjend Malaj". Football DataBase. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
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