Jurgen Vatnikaj

Jurgen Vatnikaj (born 8 August 1995) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Albanian club Flamurtari Vlorë.

Jurgen Vatnikaj
Personal information
Full name Jurgen Vatnikaj
Date of birth (1995-08-08) 8 August 1995
Place of birth Tirana, Albania
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 Flamurtari Vlorë
Number 99
Youth career
2005–2011 Partizani Tirana
2011–2013 Tirana
2013–2014 Partizani Tirana
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2017 Partizani Tirana 13 (4)
2014–2016 → Partizani Tirana B 24 (20)
2015–2016 → Tërbuni Pukë (loan) 11 (2)
2017–2018 Bylis Ballsh 8 (3)
2018–2019 Kastrioti Krujë 19 (4)
2019– Flamurtari Vlorë 15 (3)
National team
2009 Albania U15 2 (1)
2011–2012 Albania U17 4 (0)
2014–2015 Albania U21 5 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14 December 2019

Club career

Early career

Vatnikaj joined his hometown club Partizani Tirana at the age of 10 in 2005 where he progressed through the club's youth teams before joining local rivals Tirana in 2011, where he initially played for the club's under-17 side. After one season with the under-17s, he was promoted to the under-19s at Tirana but he left the club in January 2013 and returned to Partizani Tirana, where he also played for the club's under-19s side.

Partizani Tirana

He made his professional debut on the last day of the 2013–14 Albanian Superliga against Lushnja on 10 May 2014, where he came on as a 64th-minute substitute and scored the last goal of the game on the 89th minute in the 4–2 away win for Partizani Tirana.[1]

With the arrivals of Sebino Plaku, Xhevahir Sukaj and Emanuele Morini, Vatnikaj found his chances limited at Partizani so he joined newly promoted Albanian Superliga side Tërbuni Pukë on loan ahead of the 2015–16 season.[2]

Bylis Ballsh

On 11 September 2017, Vatnikaj officially joined Albanian First Division side Bylis Ballsh by penning a one-year contract.[3] He was presented along with his brother Junild.[3] He made his debut five days later in the opening match of 2017–18 Albanian First Division against Shkumbini Peqin, finished in a 2–0 away win.[4] He scored his first goal of 2017–18 season on 25 November in the matchday 9 against Apolonia Fier as Bylis was defeated 3–1.[5]

Kastrioti Krujë

In the deadline day of winter transfer window, Vatnikaj become a player of fellow First Division side Kastrioti Krujë for an undisclosed fee.[6] He played his first match for the club later on 10 March 2018 by entering in the final minutes of a goalless draw versus Besëlidhja Lezhë.[7] He opened his scoring account on 21 April in the 1–1 draw at Dinamo Tirana.[8] Kastrioti eventually finished top in the Group A, meaning that they have secured a top flight spot for the next season. In the final versus the Group B winner Tirana, Vatnikaj entered in the last 14 minutes as Kastrioti lost 2–0 at Elbasan Arena.[9]

International career

Under-15

Vatnikaj's youth international career begun with the under-15 squad under Sulejman Demollari in 2009, where he played in the qualifying games of 2010 Summer Youth Olympics. He played two times and scored once, the opener in the 2–0 win over Liechtenstein on 17 October.[10][11]

Under-17

Later in 2011 he was promoted to under-17 side, being called-up by manager Džemal Mustedanagić for the qualifying games of 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in October. He made his first appearance for the team in the opening qualifying match versus Slovakia, coming on as a late replacement for Frans Ymeralilaj, who had given Albania the win thanks to his brace.[12] He went on to play another against Estonia which ended in a 1–1; this result secured Albania a place in the elite round of the European Championship for the first time in 9 seasons.[13] In the elite round, Vatnikaj continued to be a substitute, appearing only in the last minutes as Albania was eliminated after finished 3rd in Group 5.[14]

Under-19

Albania U19 – Vatnikaj was part of national team in two matches against Moldavia.

Under-21

In November 2014, Vatnikaj participated with Albania U21 in the friendly tournament held in Dubai.[15] He scored in the first match against Bahrain that was won by Albania 3–2.[16]

Later in March 2015, Vatnikaj was called-up again for the opening 2017 UEFA U21 Championship qualifier against Liechtenstein on 28 March 2015. He was given the number 11 shirt and started the match partnering Rey Manaj in attack. He played only in the first half as the 2–0 away victory saw Albania off to a winning start.[17][18]

Personal life

His brother Junild is also a professional footballer who plays at Bylis Ballsh.[3]

Career statistics
As of 16 May 2018[19]
Club statistics
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Partizani Tirana 2013–14 Albanian Superliga 11———11
2014–15 1005000—150
2015–16 001000—10
2016–17 103100—41
Total 1219100—212
Tërbuni Pukë (loan) 2015–16 Albanian Superliga 11200——112
Bylis Ballsh 2017–18 Albanian Superliga 8120——101
Kastrioti Krujë 2017–18 Albanian Superliga 11200——112
Career total 42614100—567
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References
  1. "Lushnja vs. Partizani Tirana 2 – 4". Soccerway. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  2. Alfred Lleshi (16 August 2015). "Te Partizani s'ka vend, Vatnikaj huazohet te Tërbuni" [There is no room at Partizani, Vatnikaj on loan at Tërbuni] (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  3. "Bylis dopietë në merkato, firmosin vëllezërit Vatnikaj" [Bylis a brace in transfer market, Vatnikaj brothers signs] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  4. "Bylisi fiton në transfertë, trajneri i Shkumbinit akuzon: Nuk kishte kamera, gjyqtarët bënë "kërdinë"" [Bylis wins away, Shkumbini's coach accuses: There was no camera, the refeeres did a “rampage”] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 17 September 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  5. "E para me surpriza, ndalen Tirana dhe Bylis" [First Division with surprises, Tirana and Bylis are stopped] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 25 November 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  6. "Kastrioti zyrtarizon tri afrimet e radhës, vjen mbrojtësi i kombëtares së Kenias" [Kastrioti formalizes the next three approaches] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  7. "Besëlidhja Lezhë vs. Kastrioti Krujë 0 – 0". Soccerway. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  8. "Dinamo Tirana vs. Kastrioti Krujë 1 – 1". Soccerway. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  9. "VIDEO/ Dopieta e Grecës, Tirana mposht Kastriotin dhe shpallet kampione e Kategorisë së Parë" [VIDEO/ Greca's double, Tirana defeats Kastrioti and named Albanian First Division champion] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  10. "U-15, Mali i Zi – Shqipëria 1-2Golin e vetëm për Shqipërinë e shënoi Franc Ymeralilaj në minutën e 68-të" [U15, Montenegro - Albania 1-2/ The lone goal of Albania was scored by Franc Ymerlilaj in 68th minute] (in Albanian). Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve. 20 October 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  11. "U-15, Lihtenshtejn- Shqipëri 0-2, Vatnikaj shënoi në minutën e 49-të dhe Hoxha në të 53'" [U15, Liechtenstein-Albania 0-2, Vatnikaj scored in 49th minute and Hoxha in 53rd] (in Albanian). Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve. 18 October 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  12. "Slovakia vs. Albania 1 – 2". Soccerway. 13 October 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  13. "U17, Shqipëria kualifikohet për në Elite Round" [U17, Albania qualifies to the Elite Round]. Gazeta Tema (in Albanian). 18 October 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  14. "UEFA U17 Championship Group 5". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  15. "Shpresat, turne miqesor ne Dubai. Ja lista e Gegës" [The hopes, friendly tournament in Dubai. Here's Gega's list] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  16. "Shqiperia U-21, ka fituar 3-2 kunder Bahreinit" [Alania U-21, has won 3-2 versus Bahrain] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  17. "Liechtenstein U21 0–2 Albania U21". UEFA.com. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  18. "U21, Shqipëria thyen 2-0 Lihtenshtejnin, vendosin golat e Latifit dhe Rei Manajt" [U21, Albania breaks Liechtenstein 2-0, Latifi's and Manaj's goals decides] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  19. Jurgen Vatnikaj at Soccerway. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
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