Albi Skendi

Albi Skendi (born 26 September 1993) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a defender.

Albi Skendi
Personal information
Date of birth (1993-09-26) 26 September 1993
Place of birth Albania
Height 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Position(s) Defender, Midfielder
Youth career
0000–2011 Oxford City
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015 SBCC Vaqueros 20 (2)
2016 Marymount California Mariners
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2012 Oxford City 8 (1)
2012–2013 Banbury United 31 (10)
2013 Oxford City 4 (0)
2013–2014 Banbury United 20 (3)
2018 L.A. Wolves
2018–2019 Stratford Town 31 (1)
2019–2022 Yeovil Town 71 (9)
2022 Orange County SC 29 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:37, 5 October 2022 (UTC)

Early life

Skendi was born in Albania, with his family fleeing the country to Greece, Skendi lived with his grandmother until he was aged five. Skendi joined his family in Greece for a year, before relocating permanently to Oxford in England.[1]

Career

Early career

Skendi's career began in the lower leagues of England with Oxford City and Banbury United.[2][3] Skendi had two spells with each team, helping Oxford City to the Nomads Hellenic League Championship in the 2011–12 season before joining Southern Football League side Banbury United in November 2012. He returned to Oxford City before going back to Banbury after struggling for playing time in the National League North with Oxford at the start of the 2013 season.[4][5] During his second-spell at Banbury, Skendi reportedly considered quitting the game and struggled with disciplinary issues.[6]

Move to the United States

In 2015, Skendi opted to stop playing professionally and moved to the United States to study finance at Santa Barbara City College. He played a single season of college soccer with the Vaqueroes in 2015, making 20 appearances, scoring two goals and tallying two assists.[7] He transferred to Marymount California University and played with the team's soccer team in 2016.[8]

In the summer of 2018, Skendi also played with amateur United Premier Soccer League side L.A. Wolves.[9]

Return to England

In 2018, Skendi opted to return to England to continue playing footballer, joining Stratford Town for a season.[10] Skendi made the move up the divisions in the summer of 2019, signing with National League side Yeovil Town. He went on to score nine goals in 73 appearances for the Glovers,[5] becoming a fan favourite along the way.[11]

Prior to the 2021 season, Skendi was under contract with Yeovil, but hadn't returned to the club from the United States and remained absent from the club.[9] He was reported to have played California with singer Justin Bieber with local side Churchhome FC.[12] On March 4, 2022 it was announced he had officially left Yeovil[13]

Orange County SC

On 4 March 2022, Skendi signed with USL Championship club Orange County SC.[14] He debuted for the club on 12 March 2022 as an 83rd–minute substitute during a 1–2 loss to Colorado Springs Switchbacks.[15]

References
  1. "Albi's finally living the dream with an 'amazing' team". 9 November 2019 – via PressReader.
  2. "Albi Skendi Profile | Aylesbury United FC". www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk.
  3. "StackPath". www.banburyunitedfc.co.uk.
  4. "StackPath". www.banburyunitedfc.co.uk.
  5. "Albania - A. Skendi - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com.
  6. "FOOTBALL: Banbury boss reads Skendi the riot act". Oxford Mail.
  7. "Albi Skendi - Santa Barbara City College". www.sbccvaqueros.com.
  8. "2016 Men's Soccer Roster". Marymount California University Athletics Athletics.
  9. "Skendi remains under contract". 30 July 2021.
  10. "Albi Alright! Sarll Goes For Skendi To Lift Glovers - The Vanarama National League". www.thenationalleague.org.uk.
  11. Collard, Sam. "CLUB NEWS | Albi Skendi wins National League Player of the Month".
  12. "Skendi plays for Bieber's side". 9 August 2021.
  13. Collard, Sam. "TRANSFER | Albi Skendi officially departs".
  14. "FORMER YEOVIL TOWN DEFENDER ALBI SKENDI TRANSFERRED TO ORANGE COUNTY SC".
  15. "Match Center | USLChampionship.com". www.uslchampionship.com.
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