Arbin Zejnullai

Arbin Zejnullai (born 15 February 1999) is a footballer who plays as a midfielder for Egnatia. Born in North Macedonia, he represents the Albania national team.

Arbin Zejnullai
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-02-15) 15 February 1999
Place of birth Tetovo, North Macedonia
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Egnatia
Number 17
Youth career
Shkëndija
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2021 Shkëndija 80 (5)
2021–2022 Lokomotiva 0 (0)
2022 Rabotnički 15 (0)
2022– Egnatia 40 (4)
International career‡
2017 North Macedonia U18 1 (0)
2018–2019 Albania U21 7 (0)
2022– Albania 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 October 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14:04, 23 November 2022 (UTC)

Career

Early career

Born in Tetovo, Zejnullai spent his youth career with local club Shkëndija, notably competing with the club's under-19 team during their first appearance in the UEFA Youth League during the 2017–18 season.[1] The club would be eliminated during the first round, falling 2–1 on aggregate to Slovak champions Nitra.[2] As a child, he served as a ball boy for the club.[3]

Shkëndija

Zejnullai made his senior debut for Shkëndija in March 2016, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute for Marjan Radeski in a 4–0 league victory over Metalurg.[4] After making just two appearances during his short opening season with the club, Zejnullai was used as a rotation option over the next few seasons, making just nine and six starts respectively in the following two league seasons. In July 2017, he scored his first competitive goal for the club, scoring late in Shkëndija's 4–0 first qualifying round victory over Dacia in the UEFA Europa League.[5] In the process, he became the club's youngest scorer in European competition.[3] In December of that year, he would score his first league goal for the club, scoring in the 90th minute of a 3–0 victory over Pelister.[6] His 2017–18 was interrupted by injury in January 2018, as he suffered a broken metatarsal in training.[7] In November 2019, Zejnullai signed a three-year contract extension with the club.[8][9]

Ahead of the 2020–21 campaign, Zejnullai broke into the first team, making 28 league appearances over the course of the season. At the end of the season, Zejnullai and Shkëndija parted ways by mutual consent.[10][11]

Rabotnički

After a short stint with Croatian club Lokomotiva in which he failed to make a first team appearance, Zejnullai returned to North Macedonia to join Rabotnički in January 2022.[12][13] He scored his first goal for the club later that month, in a 3–0 friendly victory over Russian club Fakel Voronezh.[14] He would make his league debut for the club in mid-February;[15] one of just 15 competitive appearances that he'd make before leaving Rabotnički in the summer.

Egnatia

In July 2022, Zejnullai moved to Kategoria Superiore club Egnatia, signing a three-year contract.[16] The club's seventh signing of the summer,[17] he reportedly had an offer to remain with Rabotnički, but positive interactions with Egnatia's club president and Zejnullai's desire to play in Albania's domestic league proved strong factors.[18] He made his competitive debut for the club on 20 August 2022, appearing in the club's opening day defeat to Partizani Tirana.[19] In the second meeting between the two clubs, on 30 October, Zejnullai scored a brace in a 3–0 victory for Egnatia, marking his first goal for the club.[20]

International

Born in North Macedonia, Zejnullai is also eligible to play for Albania. After initially appearing in the U18 ranks for North Macedonia, he confirmed his decision to represent Albania in 2018.[21] In September, he was called into the U21 squad, alongside Shkëndija teammate Shefit Shefiti, for a pair of matches against Spain and Italy.[22]

In November 2022, Zejnullai was called up to the senior national team for a friendly match against Qatar.[23] One of four potential debutants on the roster, Zejnullai would not appear in the match.

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 26 August 2023[24]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Shkëndija 2015–16 Macedonian First Football League 20———20
2016–17 1401[lower-alpha 1]000—150
2017–18 1411[lower-alpha 1]02[lower-alpha 2]1—172
2018–19 1331[lower-alpha 1]02[lower-alpha 3]0—163
2019–20 912[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 3]0—121
2020–21 2801[lower-alpha 1]03[lower-alpha 2]0—320
2021–22 00004[lower-alpha 4]0—40
Total 80560121—986
Lokomotiva 2021–22 Croatian Football League 00———00
Rabotnički 2021–22 Macedonian First Football League 150———150
Egnatia 2022–23 Kategoria Superiore 3338[lower-alpha 5]0——413
2023–24 10002[lower-alpha 6]0—30
Total 3438020—443
Career total 1298140141—1579
  1. Includes appearances in the Macedonian Football Cup
  2. Includes appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  3. Includes appearances in the UEFA Champions League
  4. Two appearances in the UEFA Champions League, two appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League
  5. Includes appearances in the Albanian Cup
  6. Includes appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

Honors
KF Shkëndija
KF Egnatia

References
  1. "Arbin Zejnullai Me Shokë Të Gatshëm Presin Debutimin Në Ligën E Kampionëve (VIDEO)" [Arbin Zejnullai And His Friends Are Ready To Make Their Debut In The Champions League (VIDEO)]. infOSport (in Albanian). 25 September 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  2. "Shkendija U19 vs. Nitra U19 – 17 October 2017 – Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  3. "Nga mbledhës i topave, në golashënuesin më të ri të Shkëndijës (FOTO)" [From a ball collector to Shkëndija's youngest scorer (PHOTO)]. PortAlb (in Albanian). 10 July 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  4. "Metalurg vs. Shkendija – 13 March 2016 – Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  5. "Shkëndija rrit epërsinë" [Shkëndija increases the lead]. TopSporti (in Albanian). 6 July 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  6. "Shkendija vs. Pelister – 3 December 2017 – Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  7. "Shkëndijës i lëndohet mesfushori" [The midfielder is injured by Shkëndija]. PortAlb (in Albanian). 15 January 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  8. "Vjen edhe firma, Shkëndija rinovon me talentin e Shqipërisë U21" [The firm also comes, Shkëndija renews with the talent of Albania U21]. ABC News (in Albanian). 13 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  9. "ZYRTARE: ARBIN ZEJNULLAI RINOVON DERI NË VITI 2023" [Official: Arbin Zejnullai renews until 2023]. KF Shkëndija (in Albanian). 13 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  10. "Shkëndija Dhe Arbin Zejnullai Ndajnë Rrugët" [Shkëndija And Arbin Zejnullai Part Ways]. infOSport (in Albanian). 10 August 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  11. "Shkëndija dhe Zejnullai, ndërprejnë bashkëpunimin" [Shkëndija and Zejnullai, stop their cooperation]. Bota Sot (in Albanian). 10 August 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  12. "Arbin Zejnullai: Premtojë punë të palodhshme" [Arbin Zejnullai: Promise tireless work]. Alsat (in Albanian). 13 January 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  13. "Arbin Zejnullai: Vij Në Një Klub Me Traditë Të Madhe" [Arbin Zejnullai: I Come To A Club With A Great Tradition]. infOSport (in Albanian). 13 January 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  14. "Arbin Zejnullai Shënon Golin E Parë Me Rabotniçkin (VIDEO)" [Arbin Zejnullai Scores The First Goal With Rabotnički (VIDEO)]. infOSport (in Albanian). 31 January 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  15. "Pelister vs. Rabotnički – 13 February 2022 – Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  16. "Arbin Zejnullai Përfundoi Te Egnatia" [Arbin Zejnullai Ended Up In Egnatia]. infOSport (in Albanian). 4 July 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  17. "ZYRTARE/ Egnatia konfirmon lajmin e "Panorama Sport", rrogozhinasit transferojnë ish-lojtarin e Shkëndijes" [OFFICIAL/ Egnatia confirms the news of "Panorama Sport", Rrogozhinas transfer the former player of Shkëndija]. Panorama Sport (in Albanian). 4 July 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022. The midfielder will be Egnatia's next reinforcement after Camaj, Sherri, Musta, Sadik, Hysen and Atanda.
  18. "Nga Shkëndija europiane te Egnatia, Zejnullai: Që te Shpresat mendoja për kampionatin shqiptar, kam pasur oferta" [From Shkëndija European to Egnatia, Zejnullai: Since Spresat I was thinking about the Albanian championship, I had offers]. Panorama Sport (in Albanian). 22 July 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  19. "Partizani Tirana vs. Egnatia Rrogozhinë – 20 August 2022 – Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  20. Balla, Adriatik (31 October 2022). "Egnatia of Duro shocks Partizan, Tirana crushes Kukës". SOT. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  21. "Edhe 3 futbollistë shqiptarë nga Maqedonia vishen kuqezi" [Even 3 Albanian footballers from Macedonia wear red and black]. AlbInfo (in Albanian). 14 August 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  22. "SHEFITI DHE ZEJNULLAI ME SHQIPËRINË U 21" [Shefiti and Zejnullai with Albania U21]. KF Shkëndija (in Albanian). 4 September 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  23. "Arbin Zejnullai ftohet nga Reja te kombëtarja e Shqipërisë" [Arbin Zejnullai is invited by Reja to the Albanian national team]. Bota Sot (in Albanian). 4 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  24. "Albania – A. Zejnullai – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
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