Lorenc Shehaj

Lorenc Shehaj (born 7 April 1994) is an Albanian professional footballer who most recently played as a striker for Oriku in the Albanian Second Division.[1]

Lorenc Shehaj
Personal information
Full name Lorenc Shehaj
Date of birth (1994-04-07) 7 April 1994
Place of birth Vlorë, Albania
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
2010–2012 Flamurtari Vlorë
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2014 Flamurtari 9 (1)
2014 → Luftëtari (loan) 5 (1)
2015 Korabi 4 (1)
2016 Butrinti 3 (1)
2016–2017 Apolonia 10 (0)
2017–2018 Oriku
International career‡
2012 Albania U19 3 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 September 2016
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 April 2016

Club career

Flamurtari Vlorë

Shehaj is a product of Flamurtari Vlorë academy and was called in the first team for the first time in September 2012 for the league match against Shkumbini Peqin which ended in a 1–1 home draw, with Shehaj who remained as an unused substitute.[2] He was called up for another two league matches later that year but still did not make his professional debut. Flamurtari Vlorë finished the season in the 4th position with 46 points, failing to qualify in the European competitions.

In the 2013–14 season, Shehaj was promoted to the first team. He finally made his professional debut at the age of 19 on 27 October 2013 during the 2–1 home win over Kukësi, coming on the field as a 56th-minute substitute for Ardit Shehaj.[3] He was an important instrument in team's run in Albanian Cup, making his debut on 6 November during the 2–0 home win in the returning leg of first round.[4]

On 13 November, Shehaj scored his first league goal for the club during the 4–3 home win over Lushnja, netting a last-minute winner in the 94th after coming on as a second-half substitute.[5][6] On 18 December, in the second leg of Albanian Cup second round, Shehaj scored his Albanian Cup goals of the season, netting twice in a 4–2 home win to help to team to reach the quarter-finals with the aggregate 6–2.[7]

He ended his second season with the club by making nine league appearances, all of them as a substitute, scoring once in the process. Flamurtari Vlorë ended the season in 7th position by qualified in the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round after winning the Albanian Cup, where he scored twice in three appearances.

Luftëtari Gjirokastër

On 19 August 2014, Shehaj was sent on a long-season loan to Albanian First Division side Luftëtari Gjirokastër after being told that he was not important for the new season.[8] He made his competitive debut with the club on 25 October 2014 in a 1–0 home win against Bylis Ballsh, where he started the match as a started but was sent off in the 42nd minute after receiving a second yellow card.[9] He scored his first goal for the club on 29 November in his third league appearance against Shkumbini Peqin, where Shehaj netted the first goal of the match in an eventual 2–1 home.[10] Shehaj's spell at the club was short-lived, and after making five league appearances, he left the team.

Bylis Ballsh

On 14 January 2016, during the winter transfer window, Shehaj agreed personal terms and signed with fellow Albanian First Division side Bylis Ballsh for the second part of 2014–15 season in their bid to achieve promotion.[11][12] For unknown reasons, Shehaj didn't make a single appearance with the team and left after the end of the season, where Bylis Ballsh successfully achieved promotion to Albanian Superliga.[13]

Korabi Peshkopi

In September 2015, Shehaj signed with Korabi Peshkopi for the upcoming 2015–16 season. He made his debut on 12 September by playing the last 10 minutes of the 1–0 away defeat to Besëlidhja Lezhë.[14] He scored his first goal for his new club in his second appearance against Kamza, where he again was used only for the final 10 minutes.[15] He was used briefly during the first part of the season, making only four appearances as a substitute, collecting only 25 minutes, leading him to terminate his contract with the club.[16]

Butrinti Sarandë

On 5 February 2016, Shehaj remained in Albanian First Division after signing with Butrinti Sarandë along with Ardi Qejvani and Serxhio Gjonbrati for the second part of 2015–16 season.[17] On 13 February, Shehaj made his debut with the club by scoring the winning goal against Dinamo Tirana for a 1–0 home victory.[18]

Apolonia Fier

On 31 August 2016, Shehaj completed a transfer to Apolonia Fier by signing as a free agent.[19]

International career

Shehaj was called up by Albania U19 coach Foto Strakosha for the qualifiers of the 2013 UEFA European Under-19 Championship,[20] where Albania was placed in Group 7 along with Italy, Belgium and Belarus.[21] He made his debut on 12 October 2012 in the first match of the group against Italy, playing the last 11 minutes of a 3–0 away defeat.[22] In the second match, Shehaj played as a starter and scored the third goal for Albania in a 3–1 home win against Belgium for the first three points of the campaign.[23] In the last match, however, Albania was defeated 0–2 at the hands of Belarus, with Shehaj who was used only in the first half of the match.[24] Albania finished Group 7 in the last position with only three points and Shehaj was one of the three goalscorers.[25]

Personal life

He is the younger brother of Ardit Shehaj who plays as a striker for Flamurtari Vlorë. They played together for two seasons.[26]

Career statistics
As of 17 September 2016[1][27][28]
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Flamurtari Vlorë 2012–13 Albanian Superliga 0000—00
2013–14 903200122
Total 903200122
Luftëtari Gjirokastër 2014–15 Albanian First Division 5100—51
Total 5100—51
Korabi Peshkopi 2015–16 Albanian First Division 4110—51
Total 4110—51
Butrinti Sarandë 2015–16 Albanian First Division 3100—31
Total 3100—31
Apolonia Fier 2016–17 Albanian First Division 0000—00
Total 0000—00
Career total 2144200256

    Honours
    Flamurtari Vlorë[1]

    References
    1. "Albania - L. Shehaj - Profile with news career statistics and history". Soccerway. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    2. "Flamurtari Vlorë vs. Shkumbini Peqin 1 – 1". Soccerway. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    3. ""Rilind" Flamurtari, fiton edhe Skënderbeu" (in Albanian). Panorama.al. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    4. "Flamurtari Vlorë vs. Gramshi 2 – 0". Soccerway. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    5. Ermal Sika (11 November 2013). "Tre gola për tre minuta, Flamurtar "i çmendur". Protagonistët kuqezinj: Kjo fitore për Gjikën" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    6. "Flamurtari Vlorë vs. Lushnja 4 – 3". Soccerway. 10 November 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
    7. Ermal Sika (19 December 2013). "Dopietat në modë, vlonjatët luajnë "poker". 10 milionë lekë për "kokën" e Partizanit" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    8. Gëzim Beqiri (19 August 2014). "Lorenc Shehaj, afrimi i fundit te Luftëtari" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    9. "Luftëtari Gjirokastër vs. Bylis Ballsh 1 – 0". Soccerway. 24 October 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    10. "Luftëtari Gjirokastër vs. Shkumbini Peqin 1 – 0". Soccerway. 29 November 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    11. "Shehaj dhe Muça firmosin me Bylisin" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    12. "Bylisi / Lorenc Shehaj, një tjetër afrim dimëror për ballshiotët" (in Albanian). Albanian Sport. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    13. "Festë në Ballsh dhe në Pukë, Bylisi dhe Tërbuni ngjiten në Superiore" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    14. "Besëlidhja Lezhë vs. Korabi Peshkopi 1 – 0". Soccerway. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    15. "Korabi Peshkopi vs. Kamza 2 – 0". Soccerway. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    16. "Largime te dibranët" (in Albanian). Sportal.al. 16 January 2016. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    17. "Tre vlonjatë te Butrinti" (in Albanian). Sportal.al. 5 February 2013. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    18. "Butrinti Sarandë vs. Dinamo Tirana 1 – 0". Soccerway. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    19. Mikel Mbriçaj (31 August 2016). "Apolonia firmos me Shehajn, priten edhe dy përforcime" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
    20. "U-19/ Foto Strakosha shpall listën për ndeshjet eleminatore të Europianit" (in Albanian). Albania Soccer. 28 September 2012. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    21. "2012/13 U19 qualifying round draw". UEFA.com. 29 November 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    22. "Italy U19 vs. Albania U19 3 – 0". Soccerway. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    23. "Shqipëria U-19 triumfon ndaj Belgjikës, lojtarët e Strakoshës japin spektakël" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    24. "Albania U19 vs. Belarus U19 3 – 0". Soccerway. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    25. "Summary - UEFA U19 Championship - Europe - Results, fixtures, tables and news". Soccerway. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    26. "Albania - A. Shehaj - Profile with news career statistics and history". Soccerway. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
    27. "Football : Lorenc Shehaj". Football Database. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
    28. "Profile and stats". Scoresway.com. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
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