Endrit Vrapi

Endri Vrapi (born 23 May 1982 in Tiranë) is an Albanian retired footballer who last played as a defender for Kosovan club Liria

Endri Vrapi

Personal information
Full name	Endri Vrapi
Date of birth	(1982-05-23) 23 May 1982
Place of birth	Tiranë, Albania
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position(s)	Defender
Youth career
	Shkëndija Tiranë
1998–2002	Partizani Tirana
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002	Partizani Tirana	0	(0)
2003–2005	Lushnja	76	(4)
2005–2006	Elbasani	34	(2)
2006–2007	Teuta Durrës	29	(2)
2007–2008	Tirana	27	(0)
2008–2009	Elbasani	31	(2)
2009	Dinamo Tirana	0	(0)
2009–2010	Besa Kavajë	28	(0)
2010–2013	Skënderbeu Korçë	68	(0)
2013–2014	Tirana	23	(1)
2014–2016	Partizani Tirana	32	(0)
2016–2017	Vllaznia Shkodër	44	(2)
2017–2018	Liria	9	(0)
National team
2000–2001	Albania U18	3	(0)
2008–2011	Albania	10	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12 November 2017

Club career

Early career

Vrapi began his career while still a teenager, playing for Partizani Tirana. Regarded as one of the best young Albanian talents at the time, he was also captain of the Albania under-19 team. He worked his way up through the ranks at Partizani Tirana and joined the first team during the 2001–02 season, though he did not feature in any league game that season. This prompted Vrapi to sign with Lushnja, a weaker team in the Albanian Superliga, to gain some experience.

At Lushnja he quickly established himself in the first team. He played seventy-six games and scored four goals for the club between 2002 and 2005. His impressive displays prompted one of the best teams in the country, Elbasani, to sign the left back in 2005. His most successful season came at Elbasani during his first spell there in the 2005–06 season. He played thirty-four games and scored two goals that season and was one reason Elbasani won the Albanian championship. After his triumph with Elbasani, in 2006 Vrapi moved to Teuta Durrës, where he almost repeated his success with Elbasani, when Teuta Durrës finished second behind KF Tirana in the Albanian Superliga. During the 2006–07 season he played twenty-nine games and scored two goals. After spending only one season in Durres, Vrapi changed teams again, moving back to KF Tirana. This turned out to be a mistake. KF Tirana struggled all season, finishing a disappointing sixth place in the Albanian Superliga, the team's lowest league position in years. During that poor season Vrapi played twenty-seven games without scoring a goal. The Albanian international defender decided to go back and play where he had spent the best years of his career, Elbasani. He was greeted by his former team with open arms as they had paid a fee believed to be in the region of $140,000 for re-signing the left back.

Dinamo Tirana

On 30 June 2009, Vrapi signed a temporary deal with Dinamo Tirana for the club European campaign. He played entire match on 2 July 2009 in the Europa League first qualifying round against Lahti as Dinamo was defeated 4–1.[1] He was replaced after 78 minutes in the returning leg as Dinamo managed to win 2–0 which was not enough as Lahti progressed 4–3 on aggregate.[2]

Skënderbeu Korçë

On 30 June 2010, Vrapi was transferred to Skënderbeu Korçë, and was given the number 4 shirt for the 2010–11 season.[3] He made his debut in team's opening match of 2010–11 season against his former team Besa Kavajë, but the match was suspended after 88th minute at 0–1 due to riots on the terraces. Skënderbeu was awarded by the FSHF 0–2.[4] One week later, Vrapi played for the first time at Skënderbeu Stadium in a 2–0 defeat of Teuta Durrës.[5]

Return to Tirana

On 29 August 2013, Vrapi left Skënderbeu after three seasons to return to Tirana by penning a one-year contract, taking squad number 44 for the upcoming season.[6] He debuted in team's opening match of the 2013–14 season against KF Laçi, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a goalless home draw.[7] Vrapi, however, was one of the best players on the field.[8]

In December, Tirana suffered a surprise elimination from Lushnja in the 2013–14 Albanian Cup second round, with Vrapi appearing in both legs unable to avoid the elimination.[9][10] During the first part of the season, Tirana experienced its worst period of all time, winning 3 out of 16 league matches. Vrapi played in the back in 10 on these matches. Tirana also changed management three times, employing Nevil Dede, Alpin Gallo and later Gugash Magani.[11] In December, the team was ranked in the last position with only 10 points from 13 matches, 7 points away from the safe zone.

However, with Magani in charge, Tirana changed completely the face by winning three of four matches of February, including the derby against Partizani Tirana thanks to the winner of Gilberto.[12] Vrapi's first score-sheet contribution came later on 26 April by scoring in the 2–1 home win over fellow relegation strugglers Vllaznia Shkodër.[13]

Tirana mathematically assured survival on 3 May 2014 in the penultimate week of the league after a 2–2 away draw against Flamurtari Vlorë, in a match where Vrapi played 90 minutes.[14][15] His finished his season by making 26 marches, including 23 in league, netting once. He left the club as a free agent in mid-August after failing to find a way with club directors for the new contract.[16]

Partizani Tirana

Vrapi completed a transfer to his first professional team Partizani Tirana on 1 September 2014 as a free agent, penning a one-year contract with an option of a further one. His presentation was made the same day, where he was given squad number 44 for 2014–15 season.[17] His competitive debut occurred on 10 September in the matchday 3 against Skënderbeu Korçë, playing full-90 minutes in a 1–0.[18]

During the first part of the season, Vrapi, alongside his defence partners Rrahmani, Fejzullahu and Cululi helped Hoxha to go 1,084 minutes without conceding a goal in Albanian Superliga to break the 30-year-old record set by the goalkeeper of KS Labinoti Elbasan (modern day called KF Elbasani), Bujar Gogunja, who kept intact net goal for 1037 minutes.[19]

He concluded 2014–15 with 26 appearances, all in league, as Partizani finished 3rd in championship, returning in European competitions after seven years.[20][21] During the season, Vrapi played mainly as left-back, but in several times he was used also as a centre-back.

Vrapi started the 2015–16 by playing full-90 minutes in the 1–3 away defeat at Strømsgodset in the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League first qualifying round.[22] He also played full match in the returning leg by Partizani lost 0–1 at the last moments and was eventually eliminated 1–4 on aggregate.[23]

On 13 January 2016, Partizani confirmed via their Facebook page that they have terminated the contract with Vrapi by mutual consensus.[24]

Vllaznia Shkodër

Three days after becoming free agent, Vrapi agreed terms and joined Albanian Superliga strugglers Vllaznia Shkodër until the end of the season.[25]

International career

Vrapi has been an Albanian international for four years, collecting 10 appearances.[26] He debuted with Albania on 1 March 2006, playing the last 11 minutes of the 2–1 home defeat against Lithuania.[27]

Career statistics

Clubs

As of 17 January 2016[28][29][30]

Club	Season	League		Cup		Continental[lower-alpha 1]		Other[lower-alpha 2]		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Partizani Tirana	2002–03	0	0	0	0	—		—		0	0
Lushnja	2002–03	29	0	0	0	—		—		29	0
	2003–04	16	0	0	0	—		—		16	0
	2004–05	31	4	0	0	—		—		31	4
	Total	76	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	76	4
Elbasani	2005–06	34	2	0	0	1	0	—		35	2
	2006–07	—		—		2	0	—		2	0
Teuta Durrës	2006–07	29	2	0	0	—		—		29	2
	2007–08	—		—		2	0	—		2	0
	Total	29	2	0	0	2	0	0	0	31	2
Tirana	2007–08	27	0	0	0	—		—		27	0
Elbasani	2008–09	31	2	0	0	—		—		31	2
	Total	65	4	0	0	3	0	0	0	68	4
Dinamo Tirana	2009–10	—		—		2	0	—		2	0
Besa Kavajë	2009–10	28	0	0	0	2	0	—		30	0
Skënderbeu Korçë	2010–11	29	0	2	0	—		—		31	0
	2011–12	18	0	9	0	2	0	1	0	30	0
	2012–13	21	0	5	0	0	0	1	0	27	0
	2013–14	—		—		1	0	1	0	2	0
	Total	68	0	16	0	3	0	3	0	90	0
Tirana	2013–14	23	1	3	0	—		—		26	1
	Total	50	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	53	1
Partizani Tirana	2014–15	26	0	0	0	—		—		26	0
	2015–16	6	0	2	0	2	0	—		10	0
	Total	32	0	2	0	2	0	0	0	36	0
Vllaznia Shkodër	2015–16	0	0	0	0	—		—		0	0
	Total	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career total		350	11	21	0	14	0	3	0	388	11

1. Including continental competitions, such as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League
2. Including other competitions, such as Albanian Supercup

International

As of 21 October 2014[31]

Albania national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2006	2	0
2007	0	0
2008	3	0
2009	2	0
2010	2	0
2011	1	0
Total	11	0

Honours

Club

Elbasani[28]

• Albanian Superliga: 2005–06

Besa[28]

• Albanian Cup: 2009–10

Skënderbeu[28]

• Albanian Superliga: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13

Individual

• Albania Superliga Footballer of the Year: 2005–06

References

1. "Lahti vs. Dinamo Tirana 4 – 1". Soccerway. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
2. KS Dinamo Tirana 2 – 0 FC Lahti Archived 21 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine UEFA, 12 June 2015
3. Leonard Trebicka (3 July 2010). "Vrapi: Në Korçë, për të fituar titullin kampion" [Vrapi: In Korçë, to win the championship title] (in Albanian). Sporti Shqiptar. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
4. "Besa Kavajë vs. Skënderbeu Korçë 0 – 2". Soccerway. 23 August 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
5. "Skënderbeu Korçë vs. Teuta Durrës 2 – 0". Soccerway. 29 August 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
6. Adela Merko (1 September 2013). "Firmosin Vrapi e Vashaku, vijnë edhe dy nigerianë. Dede dhe Tirana gjejnë qetësinë" [Vrapi and Vashaku sign, two Nigerians arrive as well. Dede and Tirana find peace] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
7. "Tirana vs. Laçi 0 – 0". Soccerway. 1 September 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
8. Adela Merko (2 September 2013). "Barazim ndaj Laçit, Tirana s'bind në start. Dede ka rezerva: Prisja më shumë nga ekipi" [A draw against Laçi, Tirana doesn't convince in start. Dede has reserves. I expected more from the team] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
9. "Kupa e Shqipërisë / Tirana dhe Partizani jashtë" [Albanian Cup / Tirana and Partizani out] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 18 December 2013. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
10. "Tirana dështon dhe në kupë, eliminohet nga Lushnja. Magani: Zhgënjyem, faji është i imi" [Tirana fails even in cup, eliminated by Lushnja. Magani: Disappointed, it's my fault] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
11. "Gugash Magani emërohet trajner i Tiranës: Të vrasim frikën" [Gugash Magani named the new coach of Tirana. Let's kill the fear] (in Albanian). Balkanweb.com. 1 December 2013. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
12. "Tirana fiton derbin, mjafton Gilberto" [Tirana wins the derby, Gilberto is enough] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 7 February 2014. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
13. Adela Merko (26 April 2014). ""Not" mbijetese, Tirana zhyt Vllazninë" [Survival "swim", Tirana plunge Vllaznia] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
14. Sotir Kora (4 May 2014). "Tirona siguron mbijetesën" [Tirona secures the survival] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
15. Ermal Sika (4 May 2014). "Barazim në Vlorë, mbijeton Tirana. Magani: Tani që ia dolëm, jam i gatshëm që të rinovoj" [A draw in Vlorë, Tirana survives. Magani: Now that we make it, i'm ready to renew] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
16. "Nuk gjeti akordin, Endri Vrapi largohet nga Tirana" [Didn't find agreement, Endri Vrapi leaves Tirana] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
17. Ilir Cara (3 September 2014). "Partizani merr edhe Vrapin, Duro …"shkarkon" Nexhipin" [Partizani takes even Vrapi, Duro …"sackes" Nexhipi] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
18. "Partizani i falet penalltisë së Vilës në fund, merr edhe fitoren e parë në kampionat" [Partizani win thanks to Vila's penalty at the end, takes the first win in championship] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
19. "Hoxha thyen rekordin: Ia dedikoj gruas dhe djalit, emocion i papërshkrueshëm" [Hoxha breaks the record: I dedicate to my wife and son, an indescribable emotion] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 14 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
20. "Të kuqtë, pas 7 vitesh në Europë!" [The reds, on Europe after 7 years!] (in Albanian). Sport.al. 23 May 2015. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
21. "Partizani në Europë pas 7 vitesh" [Partizani in Europe after 7 years] (in Albanian). Gazeta Dita. 24 May 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
22. "Europa League: Partizani mposhtet në Norvegji" [Europa League: Partizani defeated in Norway] (in Albanian). Telegrafi.com. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
23. "Partizani nuk ia del, mundet sërish nga Stromsgodset dhe eleminohet" [Partizani doesn't make it, gets beaten again by Strømsgodset and eliminated] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
24. "ZYRTARE: Klubi njofton se Endri Vrapi nuk është më pjesë e skuadrës së Partizanit në pjesën e mbetur të Kampionatit" (in Albanian). FK Partizani Albania. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
25. Admir Uruçi (16 January 2016). "Vllaznia e bën "sefte", firmos Endri Vrapi" [Vllaznia makes the first, Endri Vrapi signs] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
26. "Football PLAYER: Endrit Vrapi". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
27. "Football MATCH: 01.03.2006 Albania v Lithuania". EU-Football.info. 1 March 2006. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
28. "Albania - E. Vrapi - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
29. "Football : Endrit Vrapi". Football DataBase. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
30. "Profile of Endrit Vrapi at Scoresway.com". Scoresway.com. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
31. Endrit Vrapi at National-Football-Teams.com

External links

• Endrit Vrapi at National-Football-Teams.com
• "FSHF". Archived from the original on 1 October 2008. Retrieved 28 October 2008.