Valdet Rama

Valdet Skënder Rama (born 20 November 1987) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for German club Wuppertaler SV. He also holds German citizenship.

Valdet Rama
Rama playing for FC Ingolstadt in 2008
Personal information
Full name Valdet Skënder Rama
Date of birth (1987-11-20) 20 November 1987
Place of birth Mitrovica, Kosovo
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Wuppertaler SV
Number 7
Youth career
2002–2004 SF Oestrich-Iserlohn
2004–2005 Rot-Weiss Essen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2008 VfL Wolfsburg II 58 (10)
2008–2009 FC Ingolstadt 32 (2)
2009–2011 Hannover 96 II 16 (1)
2009–2011 Hannover 96 15 (0)
2011–2013 Örebro 50 (10)
2013–2014 Valladolid 31 (1)
2014–2016 1860 Munich 42 (4)
2016–2017 Würzburger Kickers 28 (2)
2017–2018 Yanbian Funde 7 (0)
2019 Kukësi 10 (2)
2019–2022 SV Meppen 52 (9)
2022– Wuppertaler SV 23 (1)
International career
2013–2015 Albania 15 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 October 2022

Early life

Rama is a Kosovo Albanian and fled to Germany at the age of nine years.[1] There he spent his youth in the Ruhr district and went through the ranks of three local clubs before joining former German champions Rot-Weiss Essen in 2004.[2][3]

Club career

Early career

Rama made his debut on the professional league level in the 2. Bundesliga for FC Ingolstadt 04 on 17 August 2008 when he started a game against Greuther Fürth. He scored a goal on his debut.

Hannover 96

After Ingolstadt was relegated at the end of the 2008–09 season, his contract became invalid and he was able to join a new club on a free transfer. On 26 May 2009, he announced his move to Bundesliga side Hannover 96 where he signed a three-year contract.[4]

Örebro

In February 2011, he signed for Swedish club Örebro SK.[5] He made a big impact in his first year with the club, scoring eight goals from his position as a winger. During the second season he often found himself benched and his manager criticized his lack of defensive work.[6] This caused his agent to lash out against the club, claiming that Rama was one of the best players in the league and that he had been humiliated by the managers comments. He also demanded that Örebro sell him during the summer.[7] Rama however ended up staying with the club until the end of the 2012 Allsvenskan season, after which Örebro was relegated.

Valladolid

After the 2012 Allsvenskan season ended, on 31 January 2013 Rama moved Real Valladolid on loan until the end of the 2012–13 La Liga's season.[8] He made his debut on 9 March 2013, in a match against Málaga which finished 1–1 and he came on as a substitute in the 71st minute in place of Daniel Larsson.[9]

His first goal with Valladolid came on 20 January 2014 in a match against Athletic Bilbao, where he scored in the last 90th minute and the match finished in the loss 4–2.[10] With this goal, Rama became the first Albanian player ever to score in La Liga and in the entire Spanish football.[11]

Rama finished the 2013–14 La Liga season with 26 appearances and 1 goal scored. His last match in which he played was early on 27 March 2014 against Real Sociedad and only as substitute in the 61st minute.[12] Then he was called up only in one match on 3 May 2014 against Espanyol and did not play any minute.[13]

On 11 July 2014, Rama left Valladolid as he interrupted his contract with the club, where the contract was valid until 30 June 2015.[14]

1860 Munich

On 27 August 2014, Rama had started the medical tests with 2. Bundesliga side TSV 1860 Munich.[15] Two days later, the transfer was made official with Rama joining on a two-year contract.[16]

He made his competitive debut later on 14 September by starting in the week 5 match against St. Pauli which was won 1–2 away.[17] In the next match he provided an assist to rescue his side a point against FC Ingolstadt.[18] Rama's first score-sheet contributions came on 19 October where he scored his team's only goal in the 4–1 loss at Erzgebirge Aue.[19]

He was on the scoresheet also in the DFB-Pokal round 2 tie against SC Freiburg which gave his side the temporary lead as the opponents bounced back to win 5–2, much to 1860 Munich elimination.[20] He finished his first season with Die Löwen by making 28 league appearances, scoring three times.

In the 2015–16 season, Rama declined, scoring only once in 16 league appearances. His season was also marred by injuries.[21] Following the end of the season, Rama's contract was not extended and left as a free agent.[22] He described his spell with the club as "difficult" due to injuries.[23]

Yanbian Funde

Rama transferred to Chinese Super League side Yanbian Funde on a two-year contract in July 2017.[24] He made his debut on 13 August in a 1–1 draw against Changchun Yatai

Kukësi

On 31 January 2019, after more than a year without a club, Rama joined Albanian Superliga side Kukësi on a six-month contract with an option to renew for one more year;[25] his monthly wage was reportedly €9,000, excluding bonuses.[26]

He won his first trophy with Kukësi on 2 June following the 2–1 win at Elbasan Arena against Tirana in the Albanian Cup final. He participated in the build up that led to both two goals of his side, earning him praise from the media.[27][28]

SV Meppen

On 20 August 2019, SV Meppen announced the signing of Rama on a two-year deal with an option for a third year.[29] Having made three substitute appearances in the 2021–22 season he agreed the termination of his contract in January 2022.[30]

Wuppertaler SV

On 3 January 2022, Rama joined Wuppertaler SV in the fourth-tier Regionalliga West.[31]

International career

As soon as Rama moved to Spain to play in La Liga he declared that he was eager to play for Albania and was contacted by the Albanian Football Association in order to plan a call-up for the next matches.[32] On 25 March 2013 he received the Albanian citizenship and became fully eligible to play for Albania.[33]

He made his international debut on 26 March 2013 in a friendly match against Lithuania finished in the victory 4–1, where Rama played as a starter and substituted off in the 64th minute with Armando Vajushi.[34] On 7 June 2013, he scored first goal against Norway finished in the 1–1 draw.[35] He finished first year (2013) with Albania making a total of 8 appearances, all as a starter, and substituted off 3 times. In those 8 appearances he also scored 3 goals.

In August 2016, Rama opted to play for newly recognized Kosovo national team.[36] However, in an interview in September 2017, Rama didn't exclude the opportunity to play for Albania once again.[37]

Career statistics

Club
As of 3 January 2022[38][39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
VfL Wolfsburg II 2005–06 Oberliga Nord 15400—154
2006–07 15600—156
2007–08 Regionalliga Nord 35000—350
Total 651000—6510
Ingolstadt 04 2008–19 2. Bundesliga 32200—322
Hannover 96 2009–10 Bundesliga 15010—160
Hannover 96 II 2009–10 Regionalliga Nord 6000—00
2010–11 10100—101
Total 16100—161
Örebro 2011 Allsvenskan 298002[lower-alpha 1]0318
2012 21200—232
Total 501000205210
Real Valladolid 2012–13 La Liga 5000—50
2013–14 26100—261
Total 16100—161
1860 Munich 2014–15 2. Bundesliga 28311—294
2015–16 16100—161
Total 44411—455
Würzburger Kickers 2016–17 2. Bundesliga 28210—292
Yanbian Funde 2017 Chinese Super League 7000—70
Kukësi 2018–19 Albanian Superliga 102512[lower-alpha 1]0173
SV Meppen 2019–20 3. Liga 24600–246
2020–21 25300–253
2020–21 3000–30
Total 52900—529
Career total 34841824036043
  1. Appearance in UEFA Europa League

International
As of match played 13 June 2015[39][40]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Albania 201383
201460
201510
Total153
As of match played 13 June 2015
Scores and results list Albania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Rama goal.
List of international goals scored by Valdet Rama[39][40]
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 7 June 2013Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania2 Norway1–01–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 14 August 2013Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania3 Armenia1–02–0Friendly
3 10 September 2013Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland5 Iceland1–01–22014 FIFA World Cup qualification

References
  1. "Die neuen Gesichter des Sommers 2009: Valdet Rama (FC Ingolstadt) (55/93)" [The new faces of summer 2009: Valdet Rama (FC Ingolstadt) (55/93)] (in German). Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  2. "Herzlichen Glückwunsch, Valdet!" [Congratulations, Valdet!] (in German). Hannover 96. 20 November 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  3. "Rot-weisse Exporte" [Red-white exports] (in German). Rot-Weiss Essen. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  4. "Neuzugang Valdet Rama" [New signing Valdet Rama] (in German). Hannover 96. 26 May 2009. Archived from the original on 23 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  5. "Bundesliga-anfallare klar för Örebro" (in Swedish). aftonbladet.se. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  6. "Kris efter djurgårdsförlust – då kängas stjärnan" (in Swedish). fotbolldirekt.se. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  7. "ÖSK:s kris förvärras – Rama vill hoppa av" (in Swedish). fotbolldirekt.se. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  8. "Valdet Rama, trasferohet te Valadolid". Sporti Shqiptar. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  9. "Rama debuton në barazimin e Valladolidit". aSport.al. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  10. "Athletic Club vs. Real Valladolid - 20 January 2014". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  11. "Valdet Rama, gol si Mesi ndaj Bilbaos". Panorama Sport. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  12. "Real Sociedad vs. Real Valladolid - 27 March 2014". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  13. "Real Valladolid vs. Espanyol - 3 May 2014". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  14. "Rama-Vajadolid, e prishin kontratën". Panorama Sport. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  15. "Rama, një hap larg Mynih 1860 në Bundesligën 2" [Rama, a step away from 1860 Munich in 2. Bundesliga] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  16. "Alles klar mit Valdet Rama" [All clear with Valdet Rama] (in German). TSV 1860 München. 29 August 2014. Archived from the original on 31 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  17. "St. Pauli vs. 1860 München 1 – 2". Soccerway. 14 September 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  18. "1860 München vs. Ingolstadt 1 – 1". Soccerway. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  19. "Erzgebirge Aue vs. 1860 München 4 –1". Soccerway. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  20. "Rama rikthehet tek goli (video)" [Rama returns to goal (video)] (in Albanian). aSport.al. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  21. "Dëmtohet Valdet Rama" [Valdet Rama injures] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  22. "Valdet Rama largohet nga Mynih 1860" [Valdet Rama flees from 1860 Munich] (in Albanian). aSport.al. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  23. "Valdet Rama i jep lamtumirën TSV 1860 München-it" [Valdet Rama bids farewell to TSV 1860 München-it] (in Albanian). aSport.al. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  24. "延边与两进攻端新援签约 补强锋线展保级决心". Sina. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  25. "Zyrtare/ Kukësi prezanton goditjen e bujshme, blindohet ekipi i Cungut" [Official/ Kukësi presents the sensational hit, Cungu's team armoured]. Panorama Sport. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  26. Skerdilaid Sulozeqi (31 January 2019). "Firmos Valdet Rama, ja sa do ta ketë pagën mujore te Kukësi" [Valdet Rama signs, he's his monthly wage at Kukësi] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  27. "Kukësi e fiton Kupën e Shqipërisë" [Kukësi wins Albanian Cup] (in Albanian). Gazeta Express. 2 June 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  28. "Rama: Jam i lumtur që fituam Kupën, për të ardhmen time do të shohim" [Rama: I'm happy that we won the cup, We'll see about my future] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 2 June 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  29. "SV Meppen verpflichtet erfahrenen Stürmer" (in German). SV Meppen. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  30. "Schluss für Rama: Meppen löst den Vertrag auf". kicker (in German). 3 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  31. "WUPPERTALER SV HOLT VERSTÄRKUNG VON DRITTLIGIST SV MEPPEN" (Press release) (in German). Wuppertaler SV. 3 January 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  32. Sporti Shqiptar (5 February 2013). "Valdet Rama piketohet për Kombëtaren Shqiptare!".
  33. "PËR DHËNIE TË SHTETËSISË SHQIPTARE" [FOR GIVING THE ALBANIAN CITIZENSHIP] (in Albanian). Qendra e Botimeve Zyrtare. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  34. "Albania football team defeated Lithuania 4:1". EU-Football.info. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  35. "Albania vs. Norway - 7 June 2013". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  36. "EDHE VALDET RAMA TE KOSOVA" [Even Valdet Rama to Kosovo] (in Albanian). RTK Live. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  37. "Valdet Rama rrëfen Kinën: Komunikimi është shumë i vështirë, kombëtaren nuk e kam ndjekur" [Valdet Rama confess China: The communication very hard, I haven't follow the national team] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  38. Valdet Rama at Soccerway
  39. "Rama, Valdet". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  40. "Valdet Rama - national football team player". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
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