Eros Grezda

Eros Genc Grezda (born 15 April 1995) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Croatian club Osijek and the Albania national team.

Eros Grezda
Personal information
Full name Eros Genc Grezda
Date of birth (1995-04-15) 15 April 1995
Place of birth Đakovica, FR Yugoslavia
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position(s) Winger and attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Osijek
Number 11
Youth career
2004–2010 Prishtina[1]
2010 Rabotnički[1]
2010–2011 Dinamo Zagreb[1]
2012–2013 Grazer AK
2013–2014 Aluminij
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2014 Aluminij 29 (6)
2015 Zavrč 11 (0)
2015–2017 Lokomotiva 59 (14)
2017–2018 Osijek 26 (5)
2018–2020 Rangers 13 (2)
2020– Osijek 0 (0)
National team‡
2014–2016 Albania U21 2 (0)
2017– Albania 13 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 April 2019
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 10 April 2019

Early life

Grezda was born in Đakovica, FR Yugoslavia (modern day Gjakova, Kosovo) and grew up in the capital Pristina. He is the third child of Genc and Valbona Grezda.[2]

Club career

Early career

Eros Grezda started his career at Prishtina, playing there between the ages of 9 and 15. He subsequently moved for a short while to Rabotnički where he was scouted by Dinamo Zagreb, where he soon moved and spent 1 year playing with the under-17 side.[1]

Austria and Slovenia

Grezda's first taste of senior football was in Austria, where he moved in the summer of 2012, signing for Grazer AK's lower league reserve side. He played in merely two games before moving on. Grezda arrived in Slovenia in the summer of 2013, signing for second-tier NK Aluminij. He stayed in Kidričevo for a year and a half, accumulating 29 caps and 6 goals for the first team.[3] He then moved up a tier, signing for the Slovenian PrvaLiga side NK Zavrč on 23 January 2015 alongside Antonio Pavić.[4]

Lokomotiva

On 9 July 2015 Grezda signed for Lokomotiva in the Croatian First League for a fee of €100,000.[5] He scored twice against Slaven Belupo on 23 December 2015 in a 3–0 win and was named best player of the week.[6] He scored another brace against Osijek on 27 February 2016 in a match which finished in a 1–3 victory. He scored the first and last goals in the 9th and 90th minutes.[7] On 20 April he was selected in the team of the week.[8] On 8 May 2016 Grezda scored his 9th goal of the season in the derby against Zagreb where Lokomotiva won 2–0.[9]

Grezda assisted the fellow Albanian U21 international Endri Çekiçi's goal against Osijek on 25 February 2017 in the 32nd minute, providing a cross from right side as Lokomotiva won 2–0.[10] Grezda scored 1 goal and won a penalty kick himself on 7 April 2017 against Cibalia where Lokomotiva won 4–1.[11] A week later Grezda scored again, in the Zagreb derby against Dinamo Zagreb in a 1–2 loss where Grezda scored the opening goal in the 5th minute.[12]

Osijek

On 25 May 2017 Grezda signed a transfer to Osijek which gained him the right to play in the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League qualifying round.[13] On 13 July 2017 Grezda scored his first UEFA club competition goal in the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League Second qualifying round first leg match against Swiss side Luzern which Osijek won 2–0.[14] In the second leg against Luzern 1 week later, Grezda assisted the only Osijek goal scored by Muzafer Ejupi; the match finished in a 2–1 loss, however Osijek advanced into the next round by winning 3–2 on aggregate.[15] Grezda scored his first league goal on 9 September 2017 against Hajduk Split in the 93rd minute to give Osijek the 2–1 win.[16] Following his impressive performance and the importance of his goal in the later win, Grezda was chosen as the best player of the week.[17]

Rangers

On 31 August 2018, Rangers of the Scottish Premiership confirmed the signing of Grezda on a four-year contract, subject to receiving visa and international clearance.[18]

On 20 September 2019, Rangers manager Steven Gerrard said Grezda would not play for the club again after an incident during a Tunnock’s Cup match between Rangers' under-21s and Northern Irish team Ballymena United: Grezda clashed with opposition defender Andrew Burns and allegedly spat on the player during the game.[19] Several Rangers players visited opposition manager David Jeffrey to apologise afterwards, and in a statement to the media, Gerrard said the player would no longer represent the club if the allegations were confirmed.[20][21] Grezda, who had not played for the Rangers first team since April 2019 after falling out of favour, was also fined for his conduct after the matter was investigated.[22]

Return to Osijek

On 6 January 2020 it was announced that Grezda had returned to his former side Osijek for an undisclosed fee after failing to break into the Rangers side.[23]

International career

Albania U21

Grezda is a Kosovar Albanian and initially only had Kosovo citizenship but declared that he was waiting on an invitation by the Albanian Football Association.[1] He first received a call up from Albania under-21s coach Skënder Gega in August 2014 for a friendly against Qatar, but due to visa problems the game which was planned to be played in the United Kingdom did not go ahead.[24] He was again called up in September for a friendly against Romania on 8 October 2014.[25][26] He made his debut for Albania U21 in the Friendly match against Romania U21 on 8 October 2014, playing as a starter in a 3–1 loss.[27]

Following his good form with Lokomotiva, Grezda again grabbed the attention of the Albanian Football Association and he received a call up by coach Redi Jupi for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against Greece U21 and Hungary U21 on 24 & 28 March 2016 respectively.[28] However, due to the absence of Albanian citizenship Grezda could not feature in either game.[29]

He received Albanian citizenship on 31 March 2016 alongside fellow Albania under-21 member Jasir Asani.[30]

He was called up for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Greece U21 on 2 September 2016.[31] He debuted against Greece U21 playing as a starter and substituting off at half-time for Kostandin Kariqi due to injury.[32]

Senior team

Grezda got his first call up to the Albania senior team by coach Gianni De Biasi for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Liechtenstein and Spain in October 2016.[33] He was an unused substitute in both occasions. He was called up then for the 5th 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification fixture against Italy on 24 March 2017 and the Friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 28 March 2017.[34] Grezda made his first senior debut on 24 March 2017 against Italy coming on as a substitute in the 87th minute in place of Odise Roshi.[35][36]

Career statistics

Club
As of 1 January 2020[37]
Club statistics
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Aluminij 2013–14 Slovenian Second League 18520—205
2014–15 11110—121
Total 29630—326
Zavrč 2014–15 Slovenian PrvaLiga 11000—110
Lokomotiva Zagreb 2015–16 Croatian First League 29920—319
2016–17 305318[lower-alpha 1]0416
Total 591451807215
Osijek 2017–18 Croatian First League 265328[lower-alpha 1]1378
Rangers 2018–19 Scottish Premiership 1321030172
Career total 1382712319116931
  1. All appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League

International
As of 10 April 2019[38][39]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Albania 201761
201850
201920
Total131

International goals
As of 10 April 2019. Albania score listed first, score column indicates score after each Grezda's goal.[39]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 13 November 2017New Antalya Stadium, Antalya, Turkey6 Turkey3–13–2Friendly
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References
  1. Jorgis Memo (5 December 2015). "Grezda: Pres ftesën e Shqipërisë, e kam refuzuar dy herë Maqedoninë" [Grezda: I'm waiting the invitation of Albania, I have rejected Macedonia twice] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  2. Olsi Tujani (27 December 2017). "Rrëfimi unik i Grezdës, "mister 3-milionëshi": Ëndërroj Gjermaninë dhe Italinë" [Grezda's unique story, "Mister 3-Million": I dream of Germany and Italy] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  3. "Eros Grezda profile" (in Slovenian). PLTS - Prva liga Telekom Slovenije. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  4. "Antonio Pavić in Eros Grezda novi okrepitvi" [Antonio Pavić and Eros Grezda new reinforcements] (in Slovenian). NK Zavrc. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  5. Andi Haxhiu (9 July 2015). "Eros Grezda i bashkohet Lokomotivës së Zagrebit (VIDEO)" [Eros Grezda joins Lokomotiva Zagreb] (in Albanian). Klan Kosova. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  6. "Grezda fantastik, lojtari më i mirë i javës në Kroaci" [Grezda fantastic, the best player of the week in Croatia] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  7. "Super Eros Grezda/ Dy gola në fitoren e Lokomotiva Zagreb" [Super Eros Grezda / Two goals in the Lokomotiva Zagreb victory] (in Albanian). Lapsi.al. 27 February 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  8. "Legjionarët / Eros Grezda, sërish në formacionin e javës në Kroaci" [Legionaries / Eros Grezda, once again in the team of the week in Croatia] (in Albanian). AlbanianSport.net. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  9. "Legjionarët / Grezda gjen golin e 9-të sezonal në Kroaci, fiton derbin" [Legionaries / Grezda finds the 9th goal of the season in Croatia, wins the derby] (in Albanian). AlbanianSport.net. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  10. "Cekici dhe Grezda shkëlqejnë në sytë e De Biasit" [Cekici and Grezda shine in the eyes of De Biasi] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. 25 February 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  11. "Grezda protagonist me Lokomotiven" [Grezda protagonist with Lokomotiva] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  12. "Grezda, një supergol Dinamos së Zagrebit" [Grezda, a supergol against Dinamo Zagreb] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  13. "Eros Grezda firmos me NK Osijek" [Eros Grezda signs with NK Osijek] (in Albanian). Gazeta Tema. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  14. "Ejupi dhe Grezda shënojnë në fitoren e Osijekit ndaj Luzernit (Video)" [Ejupi and Grezda score in the Osijek victory over Lucerne] (in Albanian). Periskopi. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  15. "UEFA Europa League - Luzern-Osijek". uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  16. "Osijek vs. Hajduk Split - 9 September 2017". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  17. "FOTO/ Shënoi në minutën e fundit ndaj Hajdukut, Grezda zgjidhet lojtari i javës në Kroaci" (in Albanian). Albsport. albsport.al. 12 September 2017. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  18. Neil Smith (31 August 2018). "Eros Grezda Joins Gers". rangers.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  19. Eros Grezda facing Rangers exit door following incident at Ballymena Showgrounds, Belfast Live, 21 September 2019
  20. "Furious Steven Gerrard demands Eros Grezda secure Rangers transfer exit after spit storm". Daily Express. 21 September 2019.
  21. Rangers' Eros Grezda speaks out on spitting incident but hints at 'two sides to a story' on social media, Football Scotland, 24 September 2019
  22. Eros Grezda fined and poised to leave Rangers in overseas loan deal, The Scotsman, 27 September 2019
  23. McDougall, Mark (6 January 2020). "Eros Grezda leaves Rangers as Albanian flop rejoins former club Osijek". dailyrecord. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  24. "Grezda shkëlqen në kampionatin slloven" [Grezda shines in the Slovenian championship] (in Albanian). Epoka E Re. 20 December 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  25. "Eros Grezda merr ftesë nga Kombëtarja U-21" [Eros Grezda receives invitation from U-21 national team] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  26. "Grezda i thotë "po" kombëtares U-21" [Grezda says "yes" to the U-21 national team] (in Albanian). Albeu.com. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  27. "Shpresat munden në Rumani, dështon "armata" e Gegës" [Hopes defeated in Romania, Gega's "army" fails] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  28. "Eros Grezda në top-formë, merr ftesë nga Kombëtarja U-21" [Eros Grezda in top-form, receives invitation from U-21 national team] (in Albanian). TeleSport. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  29. "Nën-21-vjeçarët / Shpresat e Jupit, sonte përballë Hungarisë në Elbasan" [Hopes of Jupi tonight face Hungary in Elbasan] (in Albanian). AlbanianSport.net. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  30. "Pajisen me posaportë shqiptare!" [Provided with the Albanian passport !] (in Albanian). Bota Sot. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  31. "U-21 zbardhet lista per sfiden ndaj Greqise" [U-21 published list for the challenge against Greece] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  32. "Greece U21 vs. Albania U21 - 2 September 2016". int.soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  33. "Albania includes 4 newcomers in World Cup squad". heraldonline.com. 1 October 2016. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  34. "DE BIAZI SHPALL LISTËN PËR ITALINË DHE BOSNJEN" [DE BIAZI ANNOUNCES THE LIST FOR ITALY AND THE BOSNIA] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 20 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  35. "Befasia e De Biazit, tre debutues kuqezinj" [De Biasi's surprise, three new red and black debutants] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  36. "Italy football team defeated Albania 2:0, 24 March 2017". EU-Football.info. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  37. Eros Grezda at Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  38. "Eros Grezda". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  39. "Eros Grezda - national football team player". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
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