Emiliano Veliaj

Emiliano Veliaj (born 9 February 1985) is a retired Albanian footballer who played as a midfielder.[1] He was a member of the Albania national Team between 2010 and 2012, earning 2 full caps.

Emiliano Veliaj
Personal information
Full name Emiliano Velaj
Date of birth (1985-02-09) 9 February 1985
Place of birth Berat, Albania
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2000–2001 Tomori Berat
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2005 Tomori Berat 33 (3)
2005–2009 Besa 102 (15)
2009–2010 Laçi 32 (3)
2010–2011 Shkumbini 30 (2)
2011–2013 Teuta 40 (2)
2013–2016 Laçi 92 (7)
2016 Korabi 13 (0)
2017 Tomori Berat 10 (0)
2017–2018 Korabi 21 (4)
2018 Vora 11 (0)
2019 Burreli 8 (0)
2019 Luzi 2008 4 (0)
International career
2002–2003 Albania U19 6 (1)
2005–2006 Albania U21 7 (2)
2010–2012 Albania 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Korabi Peshkopi

On 1 July 2016, Veliaj agreed personal terms and signed a one-year contract with newly promoted Albanian Superliga side Korabi Peshkopi for an undisclosed fee.[2] In a press conference later that month, Veliaj stated that Korabi made the best offer for him, despite interest from several other Albanian clubs.[3] He made his debut for the club on 7 September in the opening league match of 2016–17 season against his former team Laçi, playing full-90 minutes in a goalless draw.[4] He also played in the two-legged match against Kamza in the first round of Albanian Cup, as Korabi was eliminated with the aggregate 3–1.[5] During the first part of the season, Veliaj made 13 league appearances, in addition 2 in cup, failing to score in the process, as Korabi struggled for results, finishing it in the penultimate spot.

Tomori Berat

On 26 January 2017, Veliaj returned to his boyhood club Tomori Berat for the first time in 12 years.[6] He was immediately placed in the starting lineup, making his return debut on 3 February in the matchday 14 against Pogradeci.[7] During the second part of 2016–17 season, Veliaj played 10 matches without scoring and left the team following the end of the season.

Korabi Peshkopi return

On 30 August 2017, after training for a while with Egnatia, Veliaj returned to Korabi Peshkopi this time in Albanian First Division as a free transfer.[8]

International career

Veliaj made his senior debut on 2 June 2010 by appearing in the last minutes of the friendly against Andorra, which ended in a 1–0 home win for Albania.[9] After two years, he was called up again by the new coach Gianni De Biasi for the friendlies against Qatar and Iran in May 2012.[10] He made another senior appearance, this time against Iran at the İnönü Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey, entering in the last moments in a 1–0 win.[11]

Honours
Besa Kavajë[1]
Laçi[1]

References
  1. "Albania - E. Veliaj - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  2. "Korabi nuk ndalet në merkato" [Korabi unstoppable in mercato] (in Albanian). Minuta90. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  3. Abdulla Dushku (23 July 2016). "Një brazilian nis provën, Veliaj: Ja pse zgjodha Korabin" [A brazilian starts the trial, Veliaj: Why a choose Korabi] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  4. "Korabi Peshkopi vs. Laçi 0 – 0". Soccerway. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  5. "Korabi eliminohet nga Kupa e Shqipërisë, ish-trajneri i Partizanit shfaqet në skenë" [Korabi out of Albanian Cup, ex-coach of Partizani appears in scene] (in Albanian). Newsport.al. 6 October 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  6. "Zyrtare: Veliaj rikthehet në shtëpi pas 12 vitesh" [Official: Veliaj returns home after 12 years] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  7. "Tomori Berat vs. Pogradeci 0 – 1". Soccerway. 3 February 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  8. "Rikthehet Emiljano Veliaj" [Emiljano Veliaj returns] (in Albanian). Sportal.al. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  9. "Shqipëria mposht Andorrën" [Albania defeats Andorra] (in Albanian). Telegrafi.com. 2 June 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  10. "De Biasi publikon listën për 2 miqësoret" [De Biasi publish the list for 2 friendlies] (in Albanian). aSport.al. 17 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  11. "Albania vs. Iran 1 – 0". Soccerway. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.


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