Amir Rrahmani

Amir Kadri Rrahmani (born 24 February 1994) is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie A club Napoli and captains the Kosovo national team.

Amir Rrahmani
Personal information
Full name Amir Kadri Rrahmani
Date of birth (1994-02-24) 24 February 1994
Place of birth Pristina, FR Yugoslavia
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Napoli
Number 13
Youth career
2010–2011 Drenica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Drenica 40 (1)
2013–2015 Partizani 59 (3)
2015–2016 RNK Split 41 (1)
2016–2019 Dinamo Zagreb 57 (4)
2016–2017 → Lokomotiva Zagreb (loan) 28 (1)
2019–2020 Hellas Verona 36 (0)
2020– Napoli 81 (7)
International career‡
2013 Albania U19 1 (1)
2013–2014 Albania U21 9 (0)
2014 Albania 2 (1)
2016– Kosovo 55 (6)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:47, 2 September 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:13, 12 September 2023 (UTC)

Club career

Drenica

Rrahmani began his football career with the youth team of Drenica, where he was promoted to the senior team during the 2011–12 campaign where he immediately began to impress despite being only 17 years old. He went on trial with Albanian Superliga side Kastrioti Krujë in the summer of 2012, where he impressed the coaching staff at Kastrioti Krujë but a deal to sign the player could not be agreed after negotiations stalled over a compensation package which was reported to be in the region of €3,000.[1][2][3] He returned to KF Drenica where he became an important first team player as he helped his side finish just above the relegation playoff zone in the Superleague of Kosovo. His contract expired at the end of the 2012–13 season and he was allowed to leave Drenica on a free transfer.

Partizani

Rrahmani was subject to interest by a host of Kategoria Superiore sides, with the reigning champions Skënderbeu formally offering the 19-year-old a contract to join the club, but he would ultimately decide to join Partizani instead.[4] He made his debut for his new club on 21 September 2013 in an away game against Besa, where he came on as a substitute after half time in the 1–0 win for his side.[5][6]

At the end of 2014–15 season, Rrahmani was named "Talent of the Year" by association "Sporti na bashkon".[7]

RNK Split

On 5 June 2015, Rrahmani finished his career at Partizani and moved to Croatian side RNK Split, where he joined the fellow Albanian player Sokol Cikalleshi.[8] He made his competitive debut for the club on 13 July in the opening league match of 2015–16 season against Lokomotiva, where he played full-90 minutes in a 2–1 home win.[9] Following that, Rrahmani become a regular starter in Zoran Vulić and later Goran Sablić lineup, establish himself in the center of defence.

On 30 October, Rrahmani made a solid performance against the league leaders Dinamo Zagreb for a 1–0 home win,[10] which lead him to be named in the Team of the Week.[11] On 22 November, following his good display in the 1–1 away draw against Istra 1961,[12] Rrahmani was named again in the Team of the Week.[13]

Rrahmani commenced 2016 by playing full-90 minutes in the team's first league match of 2016, a 1–1 away draw against Inter Zaprešić,[14] which was followed by another full-90 minutes against Zagreb, which lead him to be named again in the Team of the Week.[15] On 2 March 2016, Rrrahmani netted his first goal for the club during the 1–2 home defeat to Rijeka.[16] This lead him to another Team of the Week selection.[17] Rrahmani continued with his solid appearances which led to his value rising to an estimated €1 million.[18] He was named again in the Team of the Week for the 8th time following a goalless draw against Osijek on 8 April.[19][20]

Dinamo Zagreb

On 30 August 2016, Rrahmani joined with champion of Croatian First Football League side Dinamo Zagreb.[21] Dinamo Zagreb reportedly paid a €1.6 million transfer fee.[22]

Loan at Lokomotiva

Eight days after the transfer to Dinamo Zagreb, Rrahmani joined with another Croatian First Football League side Lokomotiva, on a season-long loan.[22][23] On 11 September 2016, he made his debut in a 2–3 away win against Slaven Belupo after being named in the starting line-up.[24]

Return from loan

On 21 June 2017, Rrahmani returned to Croatian First Football League side Dinamo Zagreb.[25] A month later, he made his debut in a 4–0 home win against Cibalia after coming on as a substitute at 68th minute in place of Filip Benković.[26]

Hellas Verona

On 26 June 2019, Rrahmani joined Serie A side Hellas Verona, on a four-year contract.[27] Hellas Verona reportedly paid around €2 million transfer fee.[28] One day later, the club confirmed that Rrahmani had joined on a permanent transfer.[29] On 18 August 2019, he made his debut with Hellas Verona in the third round of 2019–20 Coppa Italia against Cremonese after being named in the starting line-up.[30]

Napoli

On 20 January 2020, Rrahmani joined Serie A side Napoli.[31] Napoli reportedly paid a €14 million transfer fee.[32] He won the Serie A in the 2022-23 season.

Return to Hellas Verona as loan

On 20 January 2020, Rrahmani was sent back on loan to Serie A club Hellas Verona for the remainder of the season,[31] with the club paying wages of £8,000 per week.[33] Six days later, he played the first game after the return against Lecce after being named in the starting line-up.

Return from loan

On 24 August 2020, Rrahmani returned to Serie A side Napoli.[34] On 3 January 2021, he made his debut in a 1–4 away win against Cagliari after coming on as a substitute at 87th minute in place of Kostas Manolas.[35]

International career

Being of Albanian descent from Kosovo, Rrahmani received Albanian citizenship on 4 June 2013 among Albania senior side member Agon Mehmeti, and fellow Albania U21 players Haxhi Neziraj, Valentin Gjokaj and Herolind Shala.[36]

Albania U21

Principally Rrahmani was called up by Skënder Gega for a friendly match of the Albania U21 side against Macedonia in February 2013.[37] He came as a later upcoming in the Albania U21's last 4 matches for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in last four months of the tournament, exactly from August to November 2013.[38]

Kosovo

Rrahmani was capped once for the Kosovo national team in a sanctioned match by FIFA on 21 May 2014 against Senegal, where he played the full 90 minutes in a 3–1 loss.[39][40]

Albania

Following his good performances at both Partizani Tirana and the Albania under-21 side, Rrahmani was called up by the Albania senior side coach Gianni De Biasi for a friendly match on 8 June 2014 against San Marino. He made his debut against the side after coming on as a substitute in place of fellow 20-year-old defender Elseid Hysaj in the 82nd minute of the match, which finished in a 0–3 away victory.[41][42] On 13 November 2015, Rrahmani scored against Kosovo, a team which he previously played for.[43][44]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 20 September 2023.[45][46]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Drenica 2010–11 Kosovo Superleague 3000—30
2011–12 17000—170
2012–13 20100—201
Total 40100—401
Partizani 2013–14 Kategoria Superiore 25040—290
2014–15 34330—373
Total 59370—663
Split 2015–16 Prva HNL 34100—341
2016–17 7000—70
Total 41100—411
Lokomotiva (loan) 2016–17 Prva HNL 28130—311
Dinamo Zagreb 2017–18 Prva HNL 251402[lower-alpha 1]0311
2018–19 153407[lower-alpha 1]0263
Total 4048090574
Hellas Verona 2019–20 Serie A 36010—200
Napoli 2020–21 Serie A 161202[lower-alpha 1]0201
2021–22 334107[lower-alpha 1]0414
2022–23 292007[lower-alpha 2]0362
2023–24 30001[lower-alpha 2]040
Total 817301701017
Career total 3191722026036717
  1. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International
As of match played 12 September 2023.[47]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Albania 201410
201511
Total21
Kosovo 201410
201500
201630
201772
201891
201992
202050
202191
202260
202360
Total556
Scores and results list Albania's and Kosovo's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Rrahmani goal.
List of international goals scored by Amir Rrahmani[47]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
Albania goals
1 13 November 2015 Pristina City Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo  Kosovo 2–2 2–2 Friendly
Kosovo goals
1 11 June 2017 Loro Boriçi Stadium, Shkodër, Albania  Turkey 1–1 1–4 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 13 November 2017 Adem Jashari Olympic Stadium, Mitrovica, Kosovo  Latvia 1–1 4–3 Friendly
3 20 November 2018 Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo  Azerbaijan 3–0 4–0 2018–19 UEFA Nations League D
4 21 March 2019 Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo  Denmark 1–0 2–2 Friendly
5 14 October 2019 Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo  Montenegro 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
6 14 November 2021 Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece  Greece 1–1 1–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Napoli

Individual

References
  1. "Amir Rrahmani firmos me Kastriotin" (in Albanian). AlbaniaSoccer.com. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  2. "Kastrioti paguan dëmshpërblim për Rrahmanin" (in Albanian). KOHA.net. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  3. "Kastrioti i Krujës merr Amir Rrahmanin" (in Albanian). aSport.al. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  4. Armand Halili (19 June 2013). "Reagon Partizani: Rrahmani i yni, presim të firmosim" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  5. "Besa Kavajë vs. Partizani Tirana 0 – 1". Soccerway. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  6. Adriatik Balla (22 September 2013). "Partizani i frikshëm në Kavajë, mund Besën dhe merr kreun" (in Albanian). Sot.com.al. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  7. "Amir Rrahmani, talenti i sezonit" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 1 June 2015. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  8. "Zyrtare, Amir Rrahmani largohet nga Partizani, i bashkohet Cikalleshit te RNK Spliti" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  9. "Split vs. Lokomotiva Zagreb 2 – 1". Soccerway. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  10. "Split vs. Dinamo Zagreb 1 – 0". Soccerway. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  11. "Amir Rrahmani në formacionin e javës në Kroaci" (in Albanian). Klan Kosova. 3 November 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  12. "Istra 1961 vs. Split 1 – 1". Soccerway. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  13. Olsi Karagjozi (26 November 2015). "Rrahmani dhe Grezda në formacionin e javës në Kroaci" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  14. "Inter Zaprešić vs. Split 1 – 1". Soccerway. 14 February 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  15. "Rrahmani sërish në formacionin e javës në Kroaci (FOTO)" (in Albanian). Sport.albeu.com. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  16. "Rrahmani dhe Balaj shënojnë në derbin shqiptar (Video)" (in Albanian). Telegrafi.com. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  17. "Paraqitjet e mira, Rrahmani në formacionin e javës (Foto)" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  18. "Shqiptarët pësojnë rritje, ja vlera e kartonit për Grezdën, Rrahmanin e Çekiçin" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  19. "Rrahmani e bën rrugë, sërish mes më të mirëve të javës" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  20. "Osijek vs. Split 0 – 0". Soccerway. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  21. "Zyrtare: Amir Rrahmani nënshkruan me Dinamo Zagrebin" [Official: Amir Rrahmani signed with Dinamo Zagreb] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 30 August 2016.
  22. "Megjithatë Amir Rrahmani nuk do të luajë te Dinamo Zagrebi" [However Amir Rrahmani will not play in Dinamo Zagreb] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 30 August 2016. Amir Rrahmani u transferua në ditën e fundit të afatit kalimtar te Dinamo e Zagrebit, që i pagoi 1.6 milionë euro RNK Splitit, por ajo që kaloi pa vënë re ishte se operacioni i Dinamos nuk mbaroi me aq. Qendërmbrojtësi që luajti dje me Kosovën, sezonin e ri do të luajë në huazim te Lokomotiva e Zagrebit
  23. "Huazohet Amir Rrahmani" [Rrahmani is loaned]. Zeri.info (in Albanian). 7 September 2016.
  24. "Rrahmani e nis mbarë me Lokomotivën" [Rrahmani starts well with Lokomotiva]. Zeri.info (in Albanian). 11 September 2016.
  25. "Rrahmani kthehet te Dinamo, mban stërvitjen e parë" [Rrahman returns to Dinamo, holds the first training] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 21 June 2017.
  26. "Dinamo–Cibalia 4:0" (in Croatian). Croatian First Football League. 21 July 2017.
  27. "Amir Rrahmani nga sezoni i ardhshëm do të luaj në Serie A" [Amir Rrahmani from next season will play in Serie A] (in Albanian). Klan Kosova. 26 June 2019.
  28. "Rrahmani arrives for Verona". Football Italia. 26 June 2019.
  29. "Ufficiale: Amir Rrahmani è gialloblù" [Official: Amir Rrahmani is yellow-blue] (in Italian). Hellas Verona F.C. 27 June 2019. Archived from the original on 14 July 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  30. "Hellas Verona 1–2 Cremonese". Serie A. 18 August 2019. Archived from the original on 3 December 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  31. "Napoli complete permanent signing of Amir Rrahmani". S.S.C. Napoli. 20 January 2020. SSC Napoli have announced the signing of Amir Rrahmani on a permanent transfer from Hellas Verona. The Azzurri have agreed that the Kosovan defender be loaned back to Hellas Verona until 30 June 2020
  32. "Official: Napoli complete signing of Rrahmani from Verona". Calciomercato. 20 January 2020. It is believed that the deal of bringing Rrahmani to Naples is likely to cost the Italian club a fee in the region of €14 million
  33. "Verona 2020 Wages | Player & Team totals". Salary Sport. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
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  35. "Amir Rrahmani debuton për Napolin" [Amir Rrahmani debuts for Napoli] (in Albanian). Koha Ditore. 3 January 2021.
  36. Ekskluzive: Agon Mehmeti dhe 4 lojtarë të shpresave marrin shtetësi shqiptare aSport.al
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  38. Amir Rrahmani – UEFA competition record (archive)
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  40. "Edhe Senegali mposht Kosovën" (in Albanian). Sharpnews.info. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  41. "Shqipëria ia gjen hallin San Marinos, e mposht 3:0 (VIDEO)" (in Albanian). Gazeta Express. 8 June 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
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  45. Amir Rrahmani at Soccerway
  46. Amir Rrahmani at FootballDatabase.eu
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  48. "Napoli win Serie A for first time in 33 years". BBC Sport. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  49. "Çmimi, Morina "Talenti i Vitit" në Superiore" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
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