Emrah Klimenta

Emrah Klimenta (Montenegrin pronunciation: [klǐmeːnta]; born February 13, 1991) is a Montenegrin footballer who plays for San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship.

Emrah Klimenta
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-02-13) February 13, 1991
Place of birth Rožaje, SR Montenegro, Yugoslavia
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Defender
Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 San Diego Loyal
Number 23
Youth career
2009 MŠK Žilina
2009–2010 FC Ingolstadt 04
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2012 Bay Area Ambassadors 14 (12)
2014–2017 Sacramento Republic 91 (9)
2018 LA Galaxy 2 (0)
2018 → LA Galaxy II (loan) 2 (0)
2018 Sacramento Republic 11 (0)
2019 Reno 1868 18 (0)
2020– San Diego Loyal 13 (0)
National team
2016– Montenegro 7 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 4, 2020

Early life

Emrah Klimenta was born in Rožaje, Montenegro during a time of turmoil in the Balkan region as the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia was breaking apart. Klimenta and his parents initially settled in Mainz, Germany. His family then moved to the United States in 1999. They settled in Oakland, California, but later moved to Walnut Creek, California.

Career

Club

Klimenta began his youth career in the United States, playing as a Midfielder and Forward. He also played for the Olympic Development Program (ODP) for Cal North. Emrah worked hard to graduate high school early and moved to Europe, aiming to approach Clubs about opportunities.

Klimenta spent time in Europe playing for MŠK Žilina and FC Ingolstadt 04, before returning to California as a midfielder for NPSL club Bay Area Ambassadors.[1]

Klimenta joined United Soccer League club Sacramento Republic FC in March 2014, after being selected during an open tryout. Klimenta played as a defender and has started most of the league games in the 2014, 2015 and 2016 season.[2]

In January 2018 it was announced that Klimenta had signed for LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer, ending his tenure in Sacramento as the team's all-time leader in minutes, starts, and appearances.[3] He was released by the club on June 14, 2018.

Klimenta returned to Sacramento Republic FC for the remainder of the 2018 season.[4]

On April 4, 2019, Klimenta joined USL side Reno 1868.[5]

International

In May 2016 Klimenta was called up for to the Montenegro national team for the first time for a training camp and friendly against Turkey on 29 May. On this day, Emrah made his senior debut. In the process he became the first Sacramento Republic player to receive a senior call-up while with the club.[6][7]

References
  1. "Sacramento Republic FC Emrah Klimenta » Sacramento Republic FC". sacrepublicfc.com. Archived from the original on 2014-05-13. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  2. "Sacramento Republic FC Local Soccer Talent Max Alvarez and Emrah Klimenta Added to Sacramento Republic FC Roster » Sacramento Republic FC". sacrepublicfc.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  3. "LA Galaxy sign defender Emrah Klimenta". Los Angeles Galaxy. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  4. https://www.sacrepublicfc.com/news_article/show/931616
  5. https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1009898
  6. "Sacramento Republic FC Defender Emrah Klimenta Called Up to Montenegro National Team". Sacramento Republic FC. Archived from the original on 21 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  7. "Player Database". eu-football.info. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
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