Blerim Kotobelli

Blerim Kotobelli (born 10 August 1992) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for FK Kukësi.[1]

Blerim Kotobelli
Personal information
Date of birth (1992-08-10) 10 August 1992
Place of birth Skrapar, Albania
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position(s) Left-back
Club information
Current team
 Kukësi
Number 15
Youth career
2005–2012 Larisa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2013 Olimpic CF 18 (2)
2013–2014 Tirana 9 (0)
2014–2017 Teuta 100 (3)
2017–2018 Partizani 25 (0)
2018–2019 Flamurtari 30 (0)
2019– Kukësi 9 (0)
National team
2013–2015 Albania U21 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:43, 15 January 2020 (UTC)

Club career

Teuta Durrës

In June 2014, Kotobelli completed a transfer to Teuta Durrës by penning a one-year contract.[2] He debuted with the team on 23 August 2014 in the opening league match of 2014–15 season against Flamurtari Vlorë.[3] Following this, Kotobelli become a regular starter in the lineup, playing 35 matches throughout the campaign, including 32 in league, as Teuta barely avoided relegation. He also scored two goals in the defeats against Apolonia Fier[4] and Skënderbeu Korçë.[5]

Kotobelli was distinguished for his performances in the first part of 2015–16 season, as Teuta become a contender for a European spot next season.[6] He was able to make 34 league appearances, all of them as starter, as Teuta gained the right to play in Europa League first qualifying round by finishing fourth, tied with Kukësi.[7]

He kicked off 2016–17 season on 30 June by making his European debut in the match against Kairat, playing full-90 minutes in a 0–1 home defeat.[8] He also played in the returning leg of week later, as Teuta were smashed 5–0, its second biggest defeat of all time, eliminated from the competition with the aggregate 6–0.[9] On 27 May of the following year, in the final matchday, Kotobelli made his 100th league appearance for Teuta by starting in a 2–1 away defeat at Laçi.[10]

Only four days later, it was confirmed that Kotobelli left the club after three seasons, where he collected 114 appearances in all competitions, scoring three times, being one of the most valued players of the team.[11]

Partizani Tirana

On 9 June 2017, Kotobelli joined fellow Albanian Superliga side Partizani Tirana by signing a one-year contract with an option of a further one.[12] He was presented by Luciano Moggi and was handed squad number 15.[13] He played his first match for his new club on 10 September by starting in a 2–0 home loss to Laçi.[14] The 2017–18 season was below expectation for Kotobelli, as he struggled to keep his spot in the starting lineup, making 31 appearances in all competitions, including 25 in league, collecting 1658 minutes.[15] On 16 June 2018, Partizani Tirana announced via its official website the departure of Kotobelli after one year.[16]

International career

In November 2013, Kotobelli received his first call-up to the under-21 squad for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying matches against Hungary and Spain.[17] He made his debut on 14 November by playing full-90 minutes in Albania's 2–0 away win at Hungary.[18] He also played full-90 minutes in the next match against Spain, as Albania slumped into a 0–2 home defeat.[19]

Career statistics
As of 9 May 2018[20][21][22]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Olimpic CF 2012–13 Albanian Second Division 18221—203
Tirana 2013–14 Albanian Superliga 9030—120
Teuta Durrës 2014–15 Albanian Superliga 32230—352
2015–16 34020—360
2016–17 341702[lower-alpha 1]0431
Total 1003120201143
Partizani Tirana 2017–18 Albanian Superliga 250402[lower-alpha 1]0310
Career total 1525211401776
  1. All appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League

References
  1. "Soccerfans". Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  2. Roland Gjini (15 June 2014). "Nga Tirana te Teuta, Kotobelli: Shpërthej në Durrës" [From Tirana to Teuta, Kotobelli: Explode in Durrës] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  3. "Flamurtari Vlorë vs. Teuta Durrës 2 – 1". Soccerway. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  4. "Apolonia fiton me Teuten dhe futet "on game"" [Apolonia wins with Teuta and goes “on game”] (in Albanian). Ora News. 8 March 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  5. "Skënderbeu dominon Teutën në Korçë" [Skënderbeu dominates Teuta in Korçë] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  6. "Teuta, lojtarët e rinj që u bënë protagonistë" [Teuta, young players who became protagonists] (in Albanian). Durrës Lajm. 15 November 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  7. "Edhe Teuta në Europa League" [Even Teuta in Europa League] (in Albanian). Lapsi.al. 22 May 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  8. "Teuta Durrës vs. Kairat 0 – 1". Soccerway. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  9. Ergis Tafalla (7 July 2016). "Mundet 5-0, Teuta shpërfytyrohet në Kazakistan" [Defeated 5-0, Teuta humiliated in Kazakhstan] (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  10. Sotir Kora (27 May 2017). "Laci mposht Teutën, siguron mbijetesën" [Laci defeats Teuta, secures the survival] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  11. "Revolucion te Teuta, largohen Dita e Kotobelli" [Revolution at Teuta, Dita and Kotobelli leaves] (in Albanian). Sportal.al. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  12. "Partizani firmos me Blerim Kotobelli-n" [Partizani signs with Blerim Kotobelli] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  13. "Official: Blerim Kotobelli bëhet pjesë e Partizani" [Official: Blerim Kotobelli becomes part of Partizani] (in Albanian). Gazeta Tema. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  14. Ergis Tafalla (10 September 2017). "Iuliano debuton me humbje te Partizani, Laçi dhuron surprizën e parë të sezonit" [Iuliano debutes with a loss at Partizani, Laçi gives the first surprise of the season] (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  15. "Kotobelli, largimi thuajse i sigurt nga Partizani!" [Kotobelli, the departure almost sure from Partizani!] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  16. "Zyrtare" [Official] (in Albanian). Partizani.al. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  17. "Kombëtarja U-21: Dëmtohet sulmuesi Hoxha, vjen Kotobelli i Tiranës" [U-21 national team: The striker Hoxha injured, Tirana's Kotobelli arrives] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  18. Andy Clark (14 November 2013). "Albania secure first win to dent Hungary hopes". UEFA.com. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  19. Lysien Nurishmi (18 November 2013). "Spain pick up the pace against Albania". UEFA.com. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  20. "Albania - B. Kotobelli - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  21. "Football : Blerim Kotobelli". Football Database. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  22. "Stats and profile". Scoresway. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
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