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Elseid Hysaj
Hysaj playing with Napoli in the UEFA Champions League in 2017.
Personal information
Full name Elseid Gëzim Hysaj
Date of birth (1994-02-02) 2 February 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Malësi e Madhe, Albania[1]
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Right back
Team information
Current team
 Napoli
Number 2
Youth career
2002–2009 Shkodra
2009–2012 Empoli
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2015 Empoli 102 (1)
2015– Napoli 108 (0)
International career‡
2010 Albania U17 3 (0)
2013–2014 Albania U21 4 (0)
2013– Albania 42 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23 August 2018
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 September 2018

Elseid Gëzim Hysaj (Albanian pronunciation: [elseˌid ˈhysaj]; born 2 February 1994) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a right back for Italian club Napoli and the Albania national team.

He is an attack minded full back whose natural position is at right back, but is also comfortable playing at left back. He is an attacking fullback who is good at tracking back when faced with being caught out of position, as well as possessing good vision in order to pick out crosses as well as long range passes.

Hysaj is regarded as one of the best wide defenders in Europe.[3]

Hysaj was born in Albania and started youth career with KF Shkodra, a local team of Shkodër city, but joined his father in Italy at the age of 14, where he joined Empoli's youth setup in 2009, before going on to make his debut for the club in 2011 in the Coppa Italia. He made his league debut the following season in Serie B, and he quickly became the club's starting right back under the guidance of head coach Maurizio Sarri, making 34 league appearances during the 2012–13 campaign before going on to secure promotion with Empoli the following season. During his debut season in Serie A he had an impressive campaign, where he featured in 36 league games as his side comfortably avoided relegation. At the end of the season Sarri left as head coach and joined Napoli, where Hysaj soon followed in a €6million move, making it the second most expensive move involving an Albanian international behind of Lorik Cana which currently holds the record with a €6,75 million move from Galatasaray to Lazio in July 2011.[4][5]

Early life

Hysaj was born in Shkodër, Albania. Two months after Elseid's birth, his father Gëzim emigrated to Italy, like many Albanians had done in the 1990s, in search of employment opportunities in order to provide for his family. Elseid grew up in Shkodër with his mother and grandparents while his father worked in Italy as a bricklayer.

Hysaj himself started his youth career at age of 7[6] with KF Shkodra, an amateur club based in his birthplace Shkodër and managed by Taip Piraniqi.[7] While working at the home of football agent Marco Piccioli, his father mentioned that his son was a talented footballer, however due to Elseid being only 10 years of age at the time, Piccioli advised Gëzim to wait. When Elseid had turned 14 he traveled to Italy where he was assessed by Piccioli and attended trials at various clubs, including Fiorentina before eventually joining the Empoli academy.[8]

Club career

Empoli

Hysaj was first called for the Empoli senior squad for the 9th game week of the 2011–12 Serie B season against Varese on 9 October 2011, in which Hysaj was an unused substitute for the entire match.[9] During the second half of the season, he was called-up twice more for matches in March and April but again remained as an unused substitute.[10][11] He made his professional debut with the first team on 24 November 2011 in a Coppa Italia match against Fiorentina, playing the full 90-minutes in the 2–1 loss.[12]

2012–13 season

Hysaj made his league debut on 20 October 2012 in the matchday 10 against Virtus Lanciano, which finished in a 0–3 away victory, where he came on as a 67th-minute substitute.[13] Empoli eventually finished the 2012–13 season in 4th place and therefore qualified for the promotion playoffs. In semifinals they played against Novara, in where Hysaj played full 90-minutes in both legs, first on 22 May 2013, with the match finishing in a 1–1 away draw[14] and in the second leg on 26 May 2013, which Empoli won 4–1.[15]

Empoli then played in the two-legged final against Livorno. On 29 May 2013, Hysaj played another full 90-minutes in the first leg of the final against Livorno, finished in the draw 1–1[16] and another one in the second leg final on 2 June 2013, finished in the loss 1–0,[17] At this way Livorno promoted to 2013–14 Serie A on aggregate 2–1. Hysaj finished 2012–13 season with Empoli, making a total of 35 appearances, by where 30 in league, 1 in Coppa Italia and 4 in Serie B promotion playoffs.

2013–14 season

On 19 September 2013, he renewed his contract with Empoli until 2015.[18]

Hysaj scored his first professional goal on 17 April 2014 in the match against Virtus Lanciano. The goal came in the 4th minute after he received a pass in the entrance area, made an zig-zag move between three opponents then issued a left-foot shoot, which was stopped at the gate of the squad triangle, but the strike was not enough, as Empoli loss the match within 2–1 result.[19][20]

On 30 May 2014, Empoli ended their six-year absence from Serie A by earning promotion from Italy's Serie B.[21]

2014–15 season

He made his Serie A debut on 31 August 2014 in the opening match against Udinese, which finished in a 2–0 defeat.[22] Later on 31 October, Hysaj signed a new contract keeping him at the club until June 2017. His salary would also increased be from €170.000 to €200.000.[23]

Hysaj begun in the best way possible the year 2015, because after a goalless draw with his squad against Verona, he was selected by sports analysts in the best lineup of the 17th week of Serie A.[24]

In his last season at Empoli, Hysaj played a total of 36 league games, including 33 as a starter. He appeared also in 3 Coppa Italia matches, where Empoli was eliminated in Round of 16 by Roma in extra-time.[25]

Napoli

In July 2015, Hysaj concluded a deal with the fellow Serie A side Napoli, following former Empoli coach Maurizio Sarri and player Mirko Valdifiori to the club. On 3 August 2015, Hysaj completed his transfer at Napoli and signed on a five-year contract for a reported fee of €5 million,[5] becoming the second most expensive move invlolving Albanian international players behind of Lorik Cana which currently holds the record with a €6.75 million move from Galatasaray to Lazio in July 2011.[26][27]

2015–16 season

He made his competitive with the club on 23 August 2015 in the opening league match against Sassuolo, which finished in a 2–1 away defeat.[28] He showed an impressive form at the club to become a regular starter under the coach Maurizio Sarri and also playing the entire 90-minute matches, substituting off in just a few cases and leaving behind the Italian international Christian Maggio.[29][30]

Hysaj made his European debut on 17 September 2015 in the Europa League group stage match against Club Brugge, which ended in a 5–0 home win.[31] Napoli finished the Group D in the first place by winning all matches,[32] and was drawn to play Villarreal in the Round of 32.[33]

On 8 February 2016 Hysaj was included in the best 11 of Serie A youth players by football analyst Gianluca Di Marzio among big names such as Juventus players, Paul Pogba, Paulo Dybala, Inter Milan player Mauro Icardi and Milan player M'Baye Niang.[34]

2016–17 season

He was ranked third at Napoli for most minutes played during the entire season including all competitions.[35] In the end of the season his value went €18 million becoming him the most valuable player of Albania national team.[36]

2017–18 season

Hysaj made his 100th appearance in all competitions for Napoli on 21 October 2017 in the goalless home draw against Internazionale valid for the matchday 9 of 2017–18 Serie A.[37] He is considered as one of the best players in Serie A.[38] CIES estimated that Hysa's value in 2018 was €70.5 million, but his release clause was €50 million.[39]

International career

Youth teams

Hysaj with Albania U21 in 2014.

Hysaj played three matches with under-17 side valids for the qualifying round of 2011 UEFA European Under-17 Championship; on 25 September 2010 against Norway lost by 2–0,[40] Republic of Ireland on 27 September 2010 also lost by 2–0[41] and against Malta on 30 September 2010 drawn by 1–1.[42]

In an interview for Albanian media, Hysaj declared that he was invited once by Italian Football Federation but he has refused as he wanted to representing Albania at international level.[7]

After his performances with the senior team, he moved back temporarily to the under-21 team, when he was called up for a friendly match against Austria on 14 August 2013.[43]

After a game against Belarus, three days later he played once more with under-21 against Spain, match valid for qualifying round of 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship where they lost 0–2.[44] On 5 March 2014, he played in last match valid for qualification to the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship against Austria, finished in the away victory 1–3[45]

Senior side

Following his good performances with Empoli in Serie B and some consults of assistant coach of the Albania national team, Paolo Tramezzani, the Albania's head coach Gianni De Biasi decided to invite Hysaj for the friendly match against Georgia on 6 February 2013.[46]

In this game, at the age of 18, he made his debut, becoming the third youngest player after Blendi Nallbani and Iljaz Çeço to play for the Albania national team.[47]

He made his first competitive debut for Albania on 22 March 2013 in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Norway coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute in place of Armend Dallku, match finished in an important away 0–1 victory.[48] He played also in the next match against Norway on 7 June 2015 as a substitute in place of Ervin Bulku in the last moments of the 1–1 draw.[49] Hysaj was called up to the squad for the double-away matches against Slovenia and Iceland on 6 and 10 September 2013.[50] Hysaj was an unused substitute against Slovenia on 6 September 2013, match finished in the 1–0 loss.[51]

He was called up for the senior team once again for a friendly match against Belarus on 15 November 2013.[52]

Euro 2016

On 21 May 2016, Hysaj was named in Albania's preliminary 27-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016,[53] and in Albania's final 23-man UEFA Euro squad on 31 May.[54] On 28 May, he capitained his side for the first time during the Euro 2016 warm-up match against Qatar, which ended in a 3–1 win, becoming the youngest ever captain.[55]

Hysaj played every minute of all Group A matches as Albania were eliminated by ranking in the 3rd place behind hosts France against which they lost 2–0 and Switzerland against which they also lost 1–0 in the opening match and ahead of Romania by beating them 1–0 in the closing match with a goal by Armando Sadiku.[56] Albania finished the group in the third position with three points and with a goal difference −2, and was ranked last in the third-placed teams, which eventually eliminated them.[57] He was part of the list for the candidates to win award as the best young player of the tournament, rated for his extraordinary ability in attack and defence, involvement in decisive action in attack and defence, tactical maturity and efficiency during appearances in the match and a fair-play attitude during the tournament.[58]

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Hysaj retained his starting place in the Albania's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign playing 3 first matches as the full 90-minutes.[59] Albania collected all 6 possible points in their first two matches, beating Macedonia 2–1 in the opening match on 5 September 2016 and later Liechtenstein 0–2 away on 6 October. In the next game against Spain on 10 October, Albania lost 0–2.[60] On 12 November 2016, in the home game against Israel, Albania suffered a hard 0–3 loss with the first goal scored by Penalty kick conceded by Albanian defender Berat Djimsiti in the 16th minute followed also by a Red card and 2 other goals scored in the second-half after Albania remained now with 9 players following another Red card received by Etrit Berisha in the 55th minute after a physical clash against Israeli striker Eran Zahavi, ultimately knocking him down with a headbutt. Hysaj was substituted off in the 79th minute for striker Edgar Çani as coach Gianni De Biasi placed a trio forwarding line to attempt to score.[61]

Personal life

On 9 June 2015, Hysaj got engaged with Miss Albania 2013 Fiorenza Lekstakaj.[62] He is also a supporter of Socialist Party of Albania, having taken part in 2017 electoral campaign in Shkodër.[63]

Career statistics

Club

As of 23 August 2018 [59][64][65]
Club Season League Cup Europe[a] Other[b] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Empoli 2011–12 Serie B 0 0 1 0 — — 1 0
2012–13 34 0 1 0 — — 35 0
2013–14 32 1 2 0 — — 34 1
2014–15 Serie A 36 0 3 0 — — 39 0
Total 102 1 7 0 — — 109 1
Napoli 2015–16 Serie A 37 0 1 0 5[c] 0 — 43 0
2016–17 35 0 3 0 7[d] 0 — 45 0
2017–18 35 0 2 0 10[e] 0 2 0 49 0
2018–19 1 0 0 0 0[e] 0 0 0 1 0
Total 108 0 6 0 22 0 2 0 138 0
Career total 210 1 13 0 22 0 2 0 247 1
  1. ^ Including continental competitions, such as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Including other competitions, such as Audi Cup
  3. ^ All appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ All appearances in UEFA Champions League
  5. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League

International

As of 13 November 2017 [64][66][65]
Albania national team
Year Apps Goals
2013 5 0
2014 7 0
2015 5 0
2016 11 0
2017 9 0
Total 37 0

Honours

Club

Empoli[59]

Napoli[59]

References

  1. ^ Si nisi “endrra” e E.Hysajt ?! TV1 CHANNEL
  2. ^ Prima Squadra – Elseid Hysaj Manchester United F.C
  3. ^ "Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, Elseid Hysaj… seven youngsters set to take the 2017-18 Champions League by storm". The Sun. 12 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Lorik Cana Sky Sports profile". Sky Sport. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  5. ^ a b Sotir Kora (31 July 2016). "Hysaj firmos për 5 vjet me Napolin" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Elseid Hysaj – Euro 2016 profile" (in Albanian). FSHF.org. Retrieved 30 November 2017. Kur i keni patur fillesat me futbollin? Kur keni filluar të luani si futbollist profesionist? Isha 7 vjec kur fillova të merreshe me futboll.
  7. ^ a b Denis Bajraktari. "Elseid Hysaj: Refuzova Kombëtaren e Italisë për Shqipërinë" (in Albanian). Shkodra Press. Retrieved 1 June 2016. I have started my career with the Shkodra Sport team with the coach Taip Piraniqin; Also i want to say that Italy has called me but i have refused because I was born Albanian and i will remain Albanian.
  8. ^ Anton Cicani (7 July 2015). "Udhëtimi magjik i Hysajt, që tashmë e kërkon Çelsi!" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  9. ^ "Empoli vs. Varese 1 – 2". Soccerway. 9 October 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  10. ^ "Empoli vs. Torino 1 – 0". Soccerway. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  11. ^ "Hellas Verona vs. Empoli 0 – 0". Soccerway. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  12. ^ "Fiorentina vs. Empoli 2 – 1". Soccerway. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  13. ^ "Virtus Lanciano vs. Empoli 0 – 3". Soccerway. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  14. ^ "Novara vs. Empoli 1 – 1". Soccerway. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  15. ^ "Empoli vs. Novara 4 – 1". Soccerway. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  16. ^ "Empoli vs. Livorno 1 – 1". Soccerway. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  17. ^ "Livorno vs. Empoli 1 – 0". Soccerway. 2 June 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  18. ^ "Hysaj rinovon deri në vitin 2015 me Empolin" (in Albanian). aSport.al. 19 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  19. ^ "Hysaj shënon supergol, Empoli mundet (Video)" (in Albanian). aSport.al. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  20. ^ "Virtus Lanciano vs. Empoli 2–1". Soccerway. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  21. ^ Terry Daley (30 May 2014). "Soccer-Empoli back in Serie A, Bari snatch playoff spot". Reuters. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  22. ^ Kenta Tsuda (31 August 2014). "Udinese 2–0 Empoli: Di Natale Sinks Former Club With Brace". Forza Italian Football. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  23. ^ "Rinovon Elseid Hysaj, deri më 2017–ën tek Empoli" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  24. ^ "Hysaj në formacionin e javës në Serie A (FOTO LAJM)" (in Albanian). Albeu.com. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  25. ^ Sam Williams (20 January 2015). "Roma 2–1 Empoli (AET): Controversial De Rossi penalty sends hosts through". Goal.com. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  26. ^ Anton Cicani (14 June 2015). "Hysaj gjen akord me Napolin!" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  27. ^ "UFFICIALE: il Napoli ha acquistato Elseid Hysaj. Questa, la scheda tecnica del calciatore..." (in Italian). Napolisoccer.net. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  28. ^ Richard Hinman (23 August 2015). "Sassuolo 2–1 Napoli: Sarri Tastes Defeat In First Match In Charge Of Azzurri". Forza Italian Football. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  29. ^ "Agent: 'Maggio wants to start'". Football Italia. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  30. ^ Conor Dowley (5 November 2015). "Christian Maggio will start against Midtjylland, others in consideration". The Sirens Song. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  31. ^ "Sparkly Napoli flatten Club Brugge". UEFA.com. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  32. ^ "PAOK, Sevilla and Napoli advance in Europa League". UEFA.com. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  33. ^ "UEFA Europa League round of 32 draw". UEFA.com. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  34. ^ Hysaj në formacionin e Di Marcios minuta90.com
  35. ^ Hysaj për rekord, i vetmi lojtar i pazëvendësueshëm te Napoli... edhe në miqësore Panorama Sport
  36. ^ Hysaj, Strakosha e Berisha, rritet sërish vlera në treg Sport Ekspres
  37. ^ "Napoli 0–0 Inter Milan". BBC Sport. 21 October 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  38. ^ "Ranking the Best 50 Players in Serie A in 2017". Bleacherreport. 1 January 2018.
  39. ^ "Habit menaxheri i mbrojtësit: Hysaj nuk vlen 70 milionë euro" (in Albanian). Panorama. 12 January 2018.
  40. ^ "Norway U17 vs. Albania U17 2 – 0". Soccerway. 25 September 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  41. ^ "Albania U17 vs. Republic of Ireland U17 0 – 2". Soccerway. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  42. ^ "Malta U17 vs. Albania U17". Soccerway. 30 September 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  43. ^ "Elseid Hysaj e Tomas Strakosha dy "blerjet"e Gegës në ekipin e shpresave" (in Albanian). aSport.al. 7 August 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  44. ^ "Albania U21 vs. Spain U21 0 – 2". Soccerway. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  45. ^ "Austria U21 vs. Albania U21 1 – 3". Soccerway. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  46. ^ "Gjeorgjia, eksperimenti i fundit Xhani De Biazit para Norvegjisë" (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  47. ^ Gazeta Shqip (6 February 2013). "Elseid Hisaj, historia e një ëndrre të bërë realitet" (in Albanian). Retrieved 6 February 2013.[permanent dead link]
  48. ^ "Albania beat the freeze in Norway". UEFA.com. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  49. ^ "Shqipëri-Norvegji 1–1, gol spektakolar i Ramës, Hogli barazon në minutat e fundit" (in Albanian). Bota Sot. 7 June 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  50. ^ "Shpallet lista: De Biasi 28 ushtarë ndaj Sllovenisë dhe Islandës" (in Albanian). aSport.al. 1 September 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  51. ^ "Slovenia vs. Albania 1 – 0". Soccerway. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  52. ^ "Lista anti-Bjellorusi: De Biazi rikthen Memushajn, Sadikun e Mehën, Vajushi e Salihi jashtë" (in Albanian). aSport.al. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  53. ^ Fatjon Pandovski (21 May 2016). "De Biasi leaves out Albanian top scorer Salihi". UEFA. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  54. ^ "De Biasi shpall listën zyrtare të Euro 2016". FSHF.org. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  55. ^ "Albania rally to quell Qatar". UEFA. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  56. ^ UEFA EURO 2016 – Albania – Matches UEFA.com
  57. ^ "Albania out of Euro 2016 after Portugal draw with Hungary". Fourfourtwo.com. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  58. ^ Hysaj ne liste per lojtarin e ri me te mire ne France 2016 AlbaniaSoccer
  59. ^ a b c d Elseid Hysaj at Soccerway. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  60. ^ 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ – Qualifiers – Europe FIFA.com
  61. ^ Rinald Bregasi (12 November 2016). "Izraeli dhe Aytekin mposhtin Shqipërinë" (in Albanian). Super Sport Albania. Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  62. ^ "Fejesa e Elseid Hysajt" [Elseid Hysaj's engagement] (in Albanian). Sportal.al. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  63. ^ "Video / Pas Armando Sadikut edhe Elseid Hysaj i bashkohet fushatës së PS-së në Shkodër" [Video / After Armando Sadiku, even Elseid Hysaj joins PS' campaign in Shkodër] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  64. ^ a b "Elseid Hysaj". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  65. ^ a b Elseid Hysaj – UEFA competition record (archive)
  66. ^ "Elseid Hysaj – national football team player". EU-Football.info. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
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