Sokol Cikalleshi
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Sokol Cikalleshi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of birth | 27 July 1990 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Kavajë, Albania | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing position | Forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Istanbul Basaksehir | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | 99 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2004–2007 | Besa Kavajë | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007–2013 | Besa Kavajë | 56 | (11) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | → Skënderbeu (loan) | 4 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | → KF Tirana (loan) | 13 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | → Incheon United (loan) | 6 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013–2014 | FK Kukësi | 30 | (17) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014–2015 | RNK Split | 32 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015– | Istanbul Basaksehir | 29 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National team‡ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008–2009 | Albania U19 | 6 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 | Albania U20 | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009–2011 | Albania U21 | 3 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014– | Albania | 20 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Honours
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 March 2016. |
Sokol Cikalleshi (Albanian pronunciation: ['sɔkɔl 'tsikaɫɛʃi]; born 27 July 1990 in Kavajë) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as forward for Turkish Süper Lig club Istanbul Basaksehir and the Albania national team. He is a versatile attacking plater who is known for his goalscoring ability and his arial prowess.
He made his professional debut in 2007 as a 17 year old with his hometown club Besa Kavajë, and would then go on loan to Skënderbeu Korçë, KF Tirana and South Korean side Incheon United between 2011 and 2012. He joined FK Kukësi in 2013 and scored 22 goals in all competitions during the 2013–14 campaign, where he gained the attention of the Albania national team setup as well as Croatian side RNK Split who signed the player in 2014 for a reported fee of €100,000. He was the club's top goalscorer during the 2014–15 campaign, netting 13 times in all competitions before joining Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir for a €1.8 million fee in 2015.
He was first called up to the Albania national team by Gianni De Biasi and he made his debut on 31 May 2014 against Romania. Since making his debut he has been a regular member of the national side, and he has earned 17 caps since 2014 and has scored in two friendly internationals.
Career
Besa Kavajë
Cikalleshi joined his hometown club Besa Kavajë in 2004 as a 14 year old and he progressed through the youth ranks at the club, until he made his professional debut at the age of 17 on the final day of the 2007–08 Albanian Superliga against local rivals Teuta Durrës, a match in which he came on as a half time substitute in a 5–3 win.[1] In the following season he was an important member of the club's under-19s, as he captained the side to the national championship title in a season where he also made 10 league appearances for the senior side, including 2 starts. Under Shpëtim Duro, Cikalleshi became a regular first team member during the 2009–10 campaign, where he was part of strike force that included Daniel Xhafaj and Vioresin Sinani, who are two of the most prolific strikers in Albanian football history. He made 27 league appearances and scored twice, with his first professional goal coming against Shkumbini Peqin on 29 August 2011 in the Albanian Superliga,[2] and he also went on to score against Vllaznia Shkodër later in the season.[3] The 2009–10 campaign proved to be one of the club's most successful ever season, as they finished runners-up in the Albanian Superliga behind Dinamo Tirana and won the Albanian Cup for only the second time in history. Cikalleshi played a significant role in the club's cup winning run, as he made 8 appearances and scored twice, including the winning goal in the semi final against Shkumbini Peqin.[4] that sent Besa Kavajë to the final, which was won against Vllaznia Shkodër.
Skënderbeu Korçë
He agreed to join KF Skënderbeu Korçë on a 6-month loan deal ahead of the opening of the January 1transfer window, and travelled with the rest of the squad to Antalya, Turkey for their mid season training camp.
KF Tirana
Cikalleshi joined Tirana on loan until the end of the 2011–12 season on 27 January 2012 following a successful trial at the club, claiming it to be the "chance of a lifetime" to have the chance to play for the club.[5][6] He made his debut for the club in the Albanian Cup against Bylis Ballsh on 29 January, where he came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute for Klodian Duro in the goalless draw.[7]
Incheon United
In July 2012, Cikalleshi joined South Korean K-League club Incheon United FC on a 6-month loan deal.[8] During his time at Blue-Blacks, Cikalleshi made six appearances, only two of them as a starter, collecting 193 minutes in the process.
FK Kukësi
In August 2013, Cikalleshi joined FK Kukësi club on a 1-year deal. He made his debut with the club on 4 September 2013 during the 1–0 shock lose against the newcomers of KF Lushnja.[9] He opened his scoring account eight weeks later where he scored during the 2–1 away lose against Flamurtari Vlorë, which was followed by another goal in the next week against KF Laçi, where Kukësi won in Laç in the very last seconds thanks to a penalty.[10] On 6 November 2013, in the returning leg of the first round of 2013–14 Albanian Cup, Cikalleshi scored in a 5–0 thrashing of Naftëtari Kuçovë, helping Kukësi to advance in the next round with the aggregate 6–0.[11] He scored for the fourth consecutive match, this time against his former side KF Tirana helping Kukësi to prevail 2–1 at Zeqir Ymeri Stadium; he was later selected "Man of the Match".[12]
RNK Split
Following FK Kukësi's elimination in the Europa League, on 17 July 2014 Cikalleshi signed for Croatian side RNK Split on a three-year contract and RNK Split paid to Kukësi a fee of €100.000.[13][14][15] On August 19 he scored his first goal with RNK Split in a match against NK Hrvace, valid for the 2014–15 Croatian Football Cup.[16]
İstanbul Başakşehir F.K.
On 6 June 2015 RNK Split accepted the €1.8 million bid of Turkish side İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. to transfer Cikalleshi to the Süper Lig club.[17] Ten days later Cikalleshi was presented to the club where he signed a 4-years contract.[18]
International career
After his good performances with FK Kukësi in 2013–14 season, he received his first call up to the Albanian national team by Gianni De Biasi for friendlies against Romania, Hungary and San Marino. He made his debut with Albania on 31 May in a 1–0 loss against Romania, in where he started the match and was substituted in the start of the second-half by Shkëlzen Gashi.[19]
On 16 November 2015, Cikalleshi came off the bench to score his first international goal for Albania in the 94th minute of a 2–2 friendly home draw against Georgia, in the last international match at Qemal Stafa Stadium.[20]
International goals
- Scores and results list Albania's goal tally first.[21]
No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 16 November 2015 | Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania | 15 | Georgia | 2–2 | 2–2 | Friendly match | [22] |
2 | 29 March 2016 | Stade Josy Barthel, Route d'Arlon, Luxembourg | 17 | Luxembourg | 2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly match | [23] |
Style of Play
Çikalleshi is a very strong player on the ball who is capable with both feet. In addition to that, Cikalleshi is also a great player in the air and considered as an aerial threat.
Career statistics
Club
Club | Season | League | Cup[lower-alpha 1] | Continental[lower-alpha 2] | Other[lower-alpha 3] | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Besa Kavajë | 2007–08 | Albanian Superliga | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
2008–09 | 10 | 0 | — | — | — | 10 | 0 | |||||
2009–10 | 27 | 2 | 6 | 2 | — | — | 33 | 4 | ||||
2010–11 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 7 | ||
Total | 53 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 63 | 11 | ||
Skënderbeu Korçë | 2010–11 | Albanian Superliga | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||
Total | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||||
Besa Kavajë | 2011–12 | Albanian Superliga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
Tirana | 2011–12 | Albanian Superliga | 13 | 2 | 9 | 3 | — | — | 22 | 5 | ||
Total | 13 | 2 | 9 | 3 | — | — | 22 | 5 | ||||
Incheon United | 2012 | K-League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 | ||
Total | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 | ||||
Besa Kavajë | 2012–13 | Albanian Superliga | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 3 | ||
Total | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 3 | ||||
Kukësi | 2013–14 | Albanian Superliga | 30 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | 41 | 22 | |
2014–15 | — | — | 2 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | |||||
Total | 30 | 17 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | — | 43 | 22 | |||
RNK Split | 2014–15 | Prva Liga | 32 | 10 | 7 | 3 | — | — | 39 | 13 | ||
Total | 32 | 10 | 7 | 3 | — | — | 39 | 13 | ||||
İstanbul Başakşehir | 2015–16 | Süper Lig | 15 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 0 | — | 21 | 8 | |
Total | 15 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 0 | — | 21 | 8 | |||
Career total | 157 | 42 | 37 | 20 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 203 | 62 |
- ↑ Including cup competitions, such as Albanian Cup, Korean League Cup, Croatian Football Cup and Turkish Cup
- ↑ Including continental competitions, such as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup/Europa League
- ↑ Including other competitions, such as Albanian Supercup
International
- As of 11 June 2016[27]
Albania national team | ||
---|---|---|
Year | Apps | Goals |
2014 | 7 | 0 |
2015 | 8 | 1 |
2016 | 5 | 1 |
Total | 20 | 2 |
Honours
- Besa Kavajë
- Albanian Cup (1): 2009–10
- Albanian Supercup (1): 2010
- Albanian Superliga runner-up (1): 2009–10
- Skënderbeu Korçë
- Kukësi
- Albanian Superliga runner-up (1): 2013–14
- Albanian Cup runner-up (1): 2013–14
References
- ↑ "Teuta Durrës 3–5 Besa Kavajë". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
- ↑ "Shkumbini Peqin 1–2 Besa Kavajë". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
- ↑ "Vllaznia Shkodër 2–3 Besa Kavajë". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
- ↑ "Shkumbini Peqin 0–1 Besa Kavajë". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
- ↑ "Gjata firmos për një vit e gjysmë" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ↑ Feriz Ferizaj (27 January 2012). "Flamurtari largon Hysën, Cikalleshi huazohet te Tirana" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ↑ Bylis Ballsh 0-0 KF Tirana Soccerway
- ↑ Feriz Ferizaj (25 November 2015). "Firmos në Kore Cikalleshi, ja detajet e kontratës". Panorama Sport (in Albanian). Retrieved 14 July 2012.
- ↑ Armand Nezha (4 September 2013). "Një debutues në Superiore likujdon Kukësin, Lushnja e fillon me fitore rikthimin në elitë". Panorama Sport (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 September 2013.
- ↑ Vladimir Prenga (3 November 2013). ""Ringjallet" dhe Kukësi, fiton me përmbysje. Laçi i Nicës pëson humbjen e parë në shtëpi". Panorama Sport (in Albanian). Retrieved 3 November 2013.
- ↑ Jonuz Hallaçi (6 November 2013). "Goleadë e Kukësit ndaj kuçovarëve, dëmtohet portieri Halili". Panorama Sport (in Albanian). Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ Jonuz Hallaçi; Adela Merko (10 November 2013). "Kukësi fundos Tiranën, Gallo drejt shkarkimit". Panorama Sport (in Albanian). Retrieved 10 November 2013.
- ↑ Cikalleshi nga Kukësi ne Split Borozani.com
- ↑ Cikalleshi firmos tre vite te Split, Kukësi e kërcënon Panorama Sport
- ↑ Cikalleshi prezantohet te RNK Split City FM
- ↑ Cikalleshi, gol dhe asist te Spliti Panorama Sport
- ↑ Cikalleshi, tek Istanbul në Turqi Panorama Sport
- ↑ Prezantohet Sokol Cikalleshi Sportal.al
- ↑ ""Vetëvrasje" në fund, kuqezinjtë munden nga Rumania". Panorama Sport (in Albanian). Retrieved 1 June 2014.
- ↑ "Shqipëri-Gjeorgji mbyllet 2–2, më në fund shënon Cikalleshi". Iklub.al (in Albanian). 16 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ↑ "Sokol Cikalleshi - national football team player". EU-Football.info. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- ↑ "Albania vs. Georgia 2 – 2". Soccerway. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- ↑ "Luxembourg vs. Albania 0 – 2". Soccerway. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- ↑ "Albanian - S. Cikalleshi - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ↑ "Football : Sokol Cikalleshi". Football Database. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ↑ "Profile of Sokol Cikalleshi". Scoresway. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ↑ "Sokol Cikalleshi". National Football Teams. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
External links
- Sokol Cikalleshi profile at Soccerway
- Sokol Cikalleshi at National-Football-Teams.com
- Sokol Cikalleshi – UEFA competition record
- Sokol Cikalleshi – K League stats at kleague.com