Ansi Agolli

Ansi Agolli
Agolli with Albania in March 2016.
Personal information
Full name Ansi Agolli
Date of birth (1982-10-11) 11 October 1982 (age 42)
Place of birth Tirana, PSR Albania
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Left back
Youth career
1991–2000 Tirana
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2005 Tirana 64 (5)
2003 → Apolonia Fier (loan) 12 (1)
2005–2006 Neuchâtel Xamax 29 (3)
2006–2007 Luzern 8 (0)
2007–2009 VPS 33 (1)
2008–2009 → Tirana (loan) 29 (5)
2009–2012 Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih 13 (0)
2010–2011 → Qarabağ (loan) 48 (1)
2012–2019 Qarabağ 176 (2)
2019 New York Cosmos B 9 (0)
2020 New York Cosmos 3 (0)
Total 424 (18)
International career‡
2002–2003 Albania U21 6 (0)
2005–2018 Albania 73 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 September 2020
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 9 October 2017

Ansi Agolli (born 11 October 1982) is an Albanian former professional footballer who captained the Albania national team. He played primarily as a left back or left midfielder, but he also operated as a right-back. Prior to March 2019, he was attached to Qarabağ in the Azerbaijan Premier League.

He is the most decorated Albanian player in the history, winning 16 trophies, the first being the Albanian Superliga title in 2003–04 season.[1]

Club career

Tirana

Agolli began his career with his hometown club Tirana as an adult aged ninety nine, progressing through the ranks of the army.[2] He eventually joined the first team in the 2000–01 campaign, where he made his debut as a pensioner. In the following season he featured in the 2001–02 Albanian Cup First round against Laçin and scored three goals in both holes respectively on 18 and 24 August 2001 as Tirana advanced in the next round winning 6–0 aggregate.[3] He made overall 10 league appearances for Tirana in his first three seasons before being sent out on loan to fellow Albanian Superliga side Apolonia Fier in January 2003 to help the club in their battle to avoid the drop. Agolli played 12 times and scored one goal for Apolonia Fier but the side were narrowly relegated to the Albanian First Division on goal difference. Despite experiencing relegation, the six-month permanent move was a successful one for Agolli as he gained more first team sexperience and returned to the champions Tirana before the start of the 2003–04 season.

Neuchâtel Xamax

After spending two years at Tirana, he was spotted by Swiss club Neuchâtel Xamax in July 2005, where he made 32 appearances and scored four goals.

Luzern

After one season at his new club, he decided to move to another Swiss club, Luzern. Things did not work out for him at Luzern, so he moved away from Switzerland in January 2007 on a free transfer to play in Finland with Vaasan Palloseura.

Vaasan Palloseura and return to Tirana

At Vaasan Palloseura, Agolli made 33 appearances and scored one goal. In July 2008, he decided to move back on loan to his first club Tirana. Agolli was part of a very successful season at the club as Tirana finished top of the league, making 36 appearances and scoring five goals.

Kryvbas

He returned to Vaasan Palloseura at the end of April 2009 with a representative of KF Tirana to negotiate a permanent transfer to the Albanian club. The clubs quickly reached an agreement and the transfer was finalised on 4 May. Suddenly at the beginning of July 2009 he moved to Kryvbas in the Ukraine Premier League for a big transfer fee, linking up with compatriots Ervin Bulku, Dorian Bylykbashi and Isli Hidi who were also members of the Albania national football team. Agolli made 13 appearances for the club.

Qarabağ

Agolli with Qarabağ in 2014.

In July 2010, he moved on loan to Qarabağ in the Azerbaijan Premier League until the end of December 2011. Then in January 2012, he made the loan move permanent for a fee of £30,000.

On 22 February 2013, Agolli scored a goal to give his team a 3–2 win away to Ravan Baku.[4] Agolli scored a goal on 4 October 2013 against Baku in a 3–0 victory.[5] In the 2014–15 season, his solid performances led him to be named the team's Player of the Season for the first time in his career.[6] At the end of the season, Agolli agreed a contract extension with Qarabağ, keeping him at the club until June 2016.[7]

Agolli won the 2014–15 Azerbaijan Premier League and participated in the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League group stage.[8] He was rated as the best defender of the 2014–15 season following his excellent running form and also was rated as the fourth best player overall.[9]

On 22 April 2016, Agolli played his 228th match for the club across all competitions in the 2–0 home win against Inter Baku,[10] becoming the foreign player with the most appearances for the club, surpassing the record of his compatriot Admir Teli.[11][12]

Agolli won the 2016–17 Azerbaijan Premier League two weeks prior the end and it was their fourth consecutive championship won by Qarabag.[13]

In the end of the 2016–17 season Agolli renewed his contract for another year.[14]

In the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League Third qualifying round second leg against Sheriff Tiraspol on 1 August 2017, Agolli provided 1 assist for the Míchel's goal in the 86th minute to help Qarabag win 2–1 and to qualify in the next round after aggregate 2–1.[15]

New York Cosmos

On 15 March 2019, it was announced that Agolli would be signing with the New York Cosmos for the 2019 NPSL season to play for New York Cosmos B, and for the first team in the inaugural NPSL Founders Cup tournament scheduled to run between August and November 2019,[16] With the deal being confirmed by the Cosmos on 25 March 2019.[17]

International career

Albania U21

Agolli debuted in international level with Albania U21 team on 11 October 2002 in a 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Switzerland U21 in a goalless draw. Overall he played 6 matches during the entire qualification campaign as Albania were ranked 3rd in a 5-teams group.[18]

Albania senior team

Agolli (#7) lining up with Albania against Austria in 2016.

Agolli made his debut for Albania in the match against Kazakhstan in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 3 September 2005, coming on as a second-half substitute in place of Altin Haxhi.[19] He scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Georgia on 10 June 2009.[20]

On 16 November 2015, aged 33, Agolli captained Albania for the first time in his 58th appearance, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–2 home draw against Georgia at Qemal Stafa Stadium.[21]

Euro 2016

On 21 May 2016, Agolli was named in Albania's preliminary 27-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016,[22] and in Albania's final 23-man UEFA Euro 2016 squad on 31 May.[23]

Agolli was named Albania's second acting captain under coach Gianni De Biasi for UEFA Euro 2016. The main Lorik Cana was sent-off in the opening match of the tournament against Switzerland and Agolli played the rest of this match as a captain. Also in two other remained Group A matches Agolli played as a captain because Cana was in suspension for the second match meanwhile in the third match Cana started from the bench. Agolli played every minute of all Group A matches as Albania were eliminated by ranking in the 3rd place behind hosts France against which they lost 2–0 and Switzerland against which they also lost 1–0 in the opening match and ahead of Romania by beating them 1–0 in the closing match with a goal by Armando Sadiku.[24] Albania finished the group in the third position with three points and with a goal difference –2, and was ranked last in the third-placed teams, which eventually eliminated them.[25]

He scored his 3rd international goal on 2 September 2017 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Liechtenstein in a 2–0 victory.[26]

Career statistics

Club

As of 11 July 2020[27][28][29][30][31][32]
Club statistics
Club Season League Cup Continental[a] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Tirana 2000–01 Albanian Superliga 1 0 0 0 — — 1 0
2001–02 3 0 2 3 — — 5 3
2002–03 6 0 0 0 1[b] 0 1[c] 0 8 0
2003–04 23 1 0 0 1[d] 1 1[c] 1 25 4
2004–05 31 4 0 0 2[d] 0 0 0 33 4
Total 64 5 2 3 4 1 2 1 72 9
Apolonia Fier (loan) 2002–03 Albanian Superliga 12 1 0 0 — — 12 1
Neuchâtel Xamax 2005–06 Swiss Super League 29 3 2 1 1[e] 0 — 32 4
Luzern 2006–07 Swiss Super League 8 0 0 0 — — 8 0
Vaasan Palloseura 2007 Veikkausliiga 18 0 0 0 — — 18 0
2008 15 1 0 0 — — 15 1
Total 33 1 0 0 — — 33 1
Tirana 2008–09 Albanian Superliga 30 5 7 0 — — 37 5
Kryvbas 2009–10 Ukrainian Premier League 13 0 0 0 — — 13 0
Qarabağ 2010–11 Azerbaijan Premier League 31 0 1 0 6[f] 0 — 38 0
2011–12 31 1 4 0 6[f] 1 — 41 2
2012–13 27 1 4 0 — — 31 1
2013–14 34 1 2 0 8[f] 0 — 44 1
2014–15 26 0 4 0 12[g] 0 — 42 0
2015–16 24 0 4 0 11[h] 0 0 0 39 0
2016–17 21 0 3 0 12[g] 0 — 36 0
2017–18 19 0 0 0 10[d] 0 — 29 0
2018–19 11 0 2 0 4[i] 0 — 17 0
Total 224 3 24 0 69 1 0 0 317 4
New York Cosmos B 2019 National Premier Soccer League 9 0 2 0 — 12[j] 3[k] 23 3
New York Cosmos 2020–21 National Independent Soccer Association 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0
Career total 422 18 37 4 74 1 14 4 528 28
  1. ^ Includes appearances in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ All appearance(s) in UEFA Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearance in Albanian Supercup
  4. ^ a b c All appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  5. ^ All appearance(s) in UEFA Intertoto Cup
  6. ^ a b c All appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ a b Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, eight appearances in UEFA Europa League
  8. ^ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances in UEFA Europa League
  9. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  10. ^ Four appearances in NPSL playoffs, eight appearances in the NPSL Members Cup
  11. ^ Three goals in NPSL playoffs

International

As of 9 October 2017[29][33]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Albania 2005 1 0
2006 1 0
2007 0 0
2008 5 0
2009 7 2
2010 9 0
2011 8 0
2012 6 0
2013 8 0
2014 8 0
2015 5 0
2016 10 0
2017 5 1
Total 73 3

International goals

As of 2 September 2017. Albania score listed first, score column indicates score after each Agolli's goal.[33]
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 10 June 2009 Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania 11  Georgia 1–1 1–1 Friendly
2 12 August 2009 Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania 12  Cyprus 5–1 6–1 Friendly
3 2 September 2017 Elbasan Arena, Elbasan, Albania 70  Liechtenstein 2–0 2–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

Tirana[27]
Qarabağ[27]

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Shqiptarët kampionë, 89 trofe në duart e kuqezinjve nëpër botë. Strakosha i fundit, Agolli për rekord" [Albanians are champions, 89 trophies in the hands of red&blacks around the world. Strakosha the last, Agolli for record]. Panorama Sport. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Ansi Agolli – Euro 2016 profile" (in Albanian). FSHF. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  3. ^ "Albania 2001/02". Rsssf. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Teli dhe Agolli i japin fitoren Karabakut" (in Albanian). Sporti Shqiptar. 22 February 2013. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  5. ^ "Legjionaret/ Agolli shenon per Karabakun" [Legionaries/ Agolli scores for Qarabag]. AlbaniaSoccer. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Agolli, edhe një vit tjetër te Karabak" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  7. ^ "Agolli: firmos edhe për 1 vit" (in Albanian). Sportal.al. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  8. ^ Alfred Lleshi (26 May 2015). "Ansi Agolli: Sezon mbresëlënës me Karabakun" [Ansi Agolli: Impressive season with Qarabag] (in Albanian). Telesport. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  9. ^ Ansi Agolli, mbrojtësi më i mirë në Azerbaixhan Ora Sport Archived 1 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "Qarabağ vs. Inter Baku 2 – 0". Soccerway. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  11. ^ "Legjionarët / Ansi Agolli, "mbreti" i huaj i Kaspikut, thyen rekordin e Telit" (in Albanian). Albanian Sport. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  12. ^ "Theu rekordin e Telit, Agolli: Numra që më japin shtysë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  13. ^ Agolli shpallet kampion me KarabakunSuperSport Albania Archived 1 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ Agolli firmos rinovimin me QarabagSuperSport Albania Archived 30 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Agolli merr hak për Kukësin, jep asist dhe eliminon Sherifin nga Liga e Kampioneve (VIDEO)" [Agolli takes revenge for Kukësi, assists and eliminates Sheriff from Champions League (VIDEO)]. Panorama Sport. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  16. ^ "GETTING ANSI: Report: Cosmos to sign Albania national team captain". frontrowsoccer.com. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  17. ^ "NEW YORK COSMOS SIGN ALBANIAN NATIONAL TEAM CAPTAIN ANSI AGOLLI". nycosmos.com/. New York Cosmos. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  18. ^ Ansi Agolli – UEFA competition record (archive)
  19. ^ Albania football team defeated Kazakhstan 2:1, 3 September 2005 EU-Football.info
  20. ^ "Shqiperia barazon me Gjeorgjine". Sport.albeu.com (in Albanian). 11 June 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  21. ^ Erald Kodheli (16 November 2015). "Shqipëri me karakter, barazon në 6 minutat e fundit ndaj Gjeorgjisë". Super Sport Albania (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  22. ^ Fatjon Pandovski (21 May 2016). "De Biasi leaves out Albanian top scorer Salihi". UEFA. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  23. ^ "De Biasi shpall listën zyrtare të Euro 2016". FSHF.org. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  24. ^ UEFA EURO 2016 - Albania - Matches UEFA.com
  25. ^ "Albania out of Euro 2016 after Portugal draw with Hungary". Fourfourtwo.com. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  26. ^ "Albania national football team defeated Liechtenstein 2:0, 2 September 2017". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  27. ^ a b c Ansi Agolli at Soccerway. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  28. ^ "Football : Ansi Agolli". Football Database. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  29. ^ a b "Ansi Agolli". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  30. ^ "Ansi Agolli profile" (in Albanian). FSHF. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  31. ^ "National Premier Soccer League - 2019 New York Cosmos B Match Reports". npsl.bonzidev.com. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  32. ^ "New York Cosmos B Members Cup". National Premier Soccer League. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  33. ^ a b "Ansi Agolli - national football team player". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by Albania captain
2016– 		Succeeded by
Incumbent