Lorent Tolaj

Lorent Tolaj
Personal information
Full name Lorent Tolaj[1]
Date of birth (2001-10-23) 23 October 2001 (age 23)[2]
Place of birth Aigle, Switzerland[3]
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[3]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Port Vale
Number 19
Youth career
2016–2018 FC Sion
2018–2022 Brighton & Hove Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Brighton & Hove Albion 0 (0)
2022 → Cambridge United (loan) 4 (0)
2022–2023 → Salford City (loan) 11 (0)
2023 → Dundee (loan) 2 (0)
2023–2024 Aldershot Town 44 (19)
2024– Port Vale 10 (2)
International career
2017 Switzerland U17 3 (2)
2018–2019 Switzerland U18 5 (1)
2019–2020 Switzerland U19 4 (9)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:24, 22 October 2024 (UTC)

Lorent Tolaj (born 23 October 2001) is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League Two club Port Vale. He represented Switzerland internationally up to under-19 level. He scored eight goals in one match to set the record for the most goals scored in an under-19 Euro qualifier.

Tolaj joined Brighton & Hove Albion from FC Sion in 2018. He won the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup with the under-23 team, though he never played a first-team game for the club at senior level. He instead spent time on loan at Cambridge United, Salford City and Dundee. He joined Aldershot Town in July 2023 and scored 25 goals in the 2023–24 season, also winning the National League Player of the Month award for January 2024. He was sold to Port Vale in June 2024.

Club career

Brighton & Hove Albion

Born in Aigle,[3] Tolaj joined Brighton & Hove Albion's academy in June 2018 after playing youth football for Swiss side FC Sion.[4] On 3 December 2019, he played for the under-23 side against Newport County in the second round of the EFL Trophy, when his missed penalty lost the shoot-out following a 0–0 draw after 90 minutes.[5] Coach Simon Rusk said it was a result despite Tolaj also missing "a golden late chance" before the final whistle.[6] He missed nine months of the 2020–21 season with knee and hamstring injuries.[7]

On 31 January 2022, he joined Brighton teammate Jensen Weir at EFL League One club Cambridge United on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season after having scored eight goals and three assists for the Brighton under-23 side in the first half of the campaign.[8][9][7] A day later, he made his debut for the U's as a substitute in a 2–0 away defeat at Bolton Wanderers.[10] On 18 April, it was confirmed that Tolaj had left the Abbey Stadium and returned to his parent club after only making five substitute appearances in all competitions for Cambridge.[11] Cambridge manager Mark Bonner said that Joe Ironside had returned from injury quicker than expected and that he wanted to prioritise playing time for his club's own players.[12] Tolaj scored two goals for the Seagulls' under-23 side in their 4–2 win over Worthing in the 2022 Sussex Senior Challenge Cup final.[13] Following the game, coach Andrew Crofts said that "he probably felt a little bit hard done by [at Cambridge] but Lorent has got an exciting future".[14]

On 23 August 2022, Tolaj signed for League Two side Salford City on loan for the 2022–23 season.[15] He scored his first goal in the English Football League (EFL) on 22 November, in a 1–0 EFL Trophy victory over Bradford City at Moor Lane, winning praise from manager Neil Wood for his shooting.[16] This was his only goal in 17 appearances for the Ammies.[17] On 31 January 2023, Tolaj left Salford and joined Scottish Championship club Dundee on loan until the end of the season.[18] He made his debut for the Dark Blues as a substitute in a league game away to Hamilton Academical.[19] He made a further two substitute appearances for manager Gary Bowyer.[20] In April, Tolaj returned to Brighton after suffering an injury to his achilles tendon, and would only briefly return to Dens Park before the issue flared up again.[21][22] On 16 June 2023, Tolaj was released from his contract with Brighton without making a first-team appearance at Falmer Stadium.[23]

Aldershot Town

On 7 July 2023, Tolaj joined National League side Aldershot Town on a one-year deal.[24] Manager Tommy Widdrington recalled how head of recruitment Jamie Hedges had to persuade him to play non-League football in England to win a move back into the EFL rather than return to Switzerland and earn more money in the Swiss Challenge League.[25] Tolaj was sent off in a pre-season game at Farnborough.[25] He scored a brace in his debut for the Shots, in a 5–2 league win over Oxford City.[26] On 28 August, Tolaj would play part of a league game away to Eastleigh as a goalkeeper after Shots goalie Jordi van Stappershoef was sent off.[27] On 14 October, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 win over Lewes in an FA Cup qualification round match at the Recreation Ground to earn himself a place on the FA Cup Team of the Week.[28][29] On 4 November, he scored a brace against League Two side Swindon Town in a 7–4 victory in the FA Cup proper.[30] In February 2024, the club announced they had triggered an option in Tolaj's contract to see him remain there until June 2025.[31] This came after an impressive run of form during January, scoring four goals and assisting another, which won him the National League Player of the Month award.[32] On 12 March, he scored a brace in a 4–1 win over Ebbsfleet United to win a place on the National League Team of Midweek.[33] Aldershot missed out on the play-offs at the end of the 2023–24 season after finishing in eighth place, two points behind Gateshead.[34] The Aldershot Town Supporters Club named him their Player of the Season, while the players voted him as Players’ Player of the Season.[35]

Port Vale

On 28 June 2024, Tolaj joined League Two club Port Vale for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract.[34][36] On 7 September, he scored a goal and provided two assists in a 4–1 win at Newport County and was subsequently named in the EFL League Two Team of the Week and the overall League Two Player of the Week.[37][38]

International career

Born in Switzerland, Tolaj is of Kosovan descent.[39] He has represented Switzerland internationally at under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels.[40] On 19 November 2019, Tolaj scored eight goals in Switzerland U19's 16–1 win over Gibraltar U19, setting the record for the most goals scored in an under-19 Euro qualifier.[41]

Style of play

Tolaj is a forward who can hold the ball up and also has good movement around the penalty area.[42] He has a powerful left-footed shot.[43] He described himself as "a number nine striker", adding "I'm a powerful striker, quick and I'm confident in front of goal".[44]

Career statistics

As of match played 22 October 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Brighton & Hove Albion U21 2019–20[45] — — — 1[a] 0 1 0
2021–22[46] — — — 3[a] 2 3 2
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 4 2
Brighton & Hove Albion 2021–22[46] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Cambridge United (loan) 2021–22[46] League One 4 0 1 0 0 0 — 5 0
Salford City (loan) 2022–23[47] League Two 11 0 0 0 — 6[a] 1 17 1
Dundee (loan) 2022–23[47] Scottish Championship 2 0 — — 1[b] 0 3 0
Aldershot Town 2023–24[48] National League 44 19 5 5 — 2[c] 1 51 25
Port Vale 2024–25[49] League Two 10 2 0 0 1 0 1[a] 1 12 3
Career total 71 21 6 5 1 0 14 5 92 31
  1. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in FA Trophy

Honours

Brighton & Hove Albion U23

Individual

References

  1. ^ "2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  2. ^ Lorent Tolaj at Soccerway. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Lorent Tolaj". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  4. ^ Mills, Richard (13 September 2021). "Lorent Tolaj recalls his injury woe after helping Brighton U23s beat Blackburn". Sussex Live. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  5. ^ Stenning, Adam (3 December 2019). "Rusk says his side are disappointed to lose on penalties". The Argus. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  6. ^ Hazlewood, Paul (3 December 2019). "Rusk proud of his players after cup exit". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b Mills, Richard (31 January 2022). "Record-breaking Brighton striker links up with fellow rising star in deadline day move - SussexLive". www.sussexlive.co.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Lorent Tolaj: Cambridge United agree loan deal for Brighton forward". BBC Sport. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  9. ^ Page, Stephen (31 January 2022). "U's sign Tolaj on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  10. ^ Page, Stephen (2 February 2022). "U's unbeaten run in League One ends with defeat at Bolton Wanderers". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  11. ^ Page, Stephen (18 April 2022). "Lorent Tolaj returns to Brighton & Hove Albion following Cambridge United loan spell". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  12. ^ Mills, Richard (18 April 2022). "'It's tough for him' - Brighton youngster returns to the Amex after difficult first loan spell - SussexLive". www.sussexlive.co.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  13. ^ a b Bone, Steve (10 May 2022). "Sussex Senior Cup final: Gallant Worthing lose 4–2 to Brighton & Hove Albion U23s". sussexexpress.co.uk. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  14. ^ Hazlewood, Paul (12 May 2022). "Tolaj has a bright future, says Crofts". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  15. ^ Bishop, Matt (23 August 2022). "Lorent Tolaj joins Salford City". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  16. ^ Owen, Brian (23 November 2022). "Albion striker with 'unbelievable shot on him' enjoys special night in Trophy win". The Argus. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  17. ^ "Tolaj joins Dundee on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  18. ^ "Lorent signs". Dundee FC. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  19. ^ Canavan, Amy (4 February 2023). "Hamilton Accies 1-1 Dundee: Visitors miss chance to go clear in second". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  20. ^ "Lorent Tolaj | Player Statistics | Dundee (Dee Archive)". www.deearchive.co.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  21. ^ Cran, George. "Dundee team news: Zach Robinson, Max Anderson and Ben Williamson updates as one loanee heads back to parent club". The Courier. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  22. ^ Robertson, Neil. "Dundee midfielder Jordan McGhee's season is over". The Courier. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  23. ^ "Premier League clubs publish 2022/23 released lists". Premier League. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  24. ^ "NEW SIGNING: Lorent Tolaj". Aldershot Town FC. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  25. ^ a b Baggaley, Mike (30 June 2024). "Coming back stronger with Vale". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Aldershot Town 5-2 Oxford City". BBC Sport. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  27. ^ "Eastleigh 3-0 Aldershot Town". BBC Sport. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  28. ^ "Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round – Aldershot Town 4 - 1 Lewes – 2023-2024". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Lorent Tolaj makes Vanarama's Team of the Week | Aldershot Town FC". Aldershot Town FC. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  30. ^ "MATCH REPORT: Swindon 4-7 Shots | Aldershot Town FC". Aldershot Town FC. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  31. ^ "Club Option Triggered in Lorent Tolaj's Contract". Aldershot Town. 4 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  32. ^ a b Elliott, Sam (9 February 2024). "Cook Collects First Award Of Many As Tolaj Takes Chance - The Vanarama National League". thenationalleague.org.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  33. ^ "Lorent Tolaj named in Vanarama Team of Midweek! | Aldershot Town FC". Aldershot Town FC. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  34. ^ a b Scott, Richard (28 June 2024). "Hotshot Lorent Tolaj joins Port Vale from Aldershot Town - Moorlands Radio". Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  35. ^ a b "23/24 Season Award Winners! | Aldershot Town FC". Aldershot Town FC. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  36. ^ "Lorent Tolaj: Port Vale sign striker from Aldershot for undisclosed fee". BBC Sport. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  37. ^ Baggaley, Mike (9 September 2024). "Plans coming together for Vale". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  38. ^ "See who made WhoScored's Sky Bet League Two Team of the Week". EFL. 8 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  39. ^ "Kosovarët kundër Kosovës!". Lajmet e fundit - Zëri (in Albanian). 7 December 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  40. ^ "Lorent Tolaj » Internationals". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  41. ^ Owen, Brian (20 November 2019). "Eight-goal Albion teen breaks Euro record". The Argus. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  42. ^ "Lorent Tolaj signs for the U's | Cambridge United F.C." Cambridge United FC. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  43. ^ "NEW SIGNING: Lorent Tolaj | Aldershot Town FC". Aldershot Town FC. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  44. ^ Hurst, Evan (31 August 2022). "Salford City FC sign forward Lorent Tolaj on loan for the 2022-23 season". Salford Now. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  45. ^ "Games played by Lorent Tolaj in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  46. ^ a b c "Games played by Lorent Tolaj in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  47. ^ a b "Games played by Lorent Tolaj in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  48. ^ "Lorent Tolaj | Player Profile · Aylesbury United Archive". www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  49. ^ "Games played by Lorent Tolaj in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 January 2023.