Lirim Kastrati (footballer, born February 1999)

Lirim Kastrati (born 2 February 1999) is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Hungarian club Újpest and the Kosovo national team.

Lirim Kastrati
Personal information
Full name Lirim Kastrati
Date of birth (1999-02-02) 2 February 1999
Place of birth Mališevo, FR Yugoslavia
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position(s) Centre-back
Club information
Current team
 Újpest
Number 62
Youth career
0000–2013 San Paolo Padova
2013–2018 Roma
2018–2020 Bologna
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020– Újpest 0 (0)
National team‡
2015 Albania U17 3 (1)
2018 Kosovo U19 1 (0)
2019– Kosovo U21 4 (0)
2017– Kosovo 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22 July 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 January 2020

Club career

Youth career

Bologna

On 23 July 2018, Kastrati joined Campionato Primavera 2 side Bologna, on a three-year contract.[1][2] On 15 September 2018, he made his debut in a 1–1 home draw against SPAL after being named in the starting line-up.[3]

Újpest

On 22 July 2020, Kastrati signed his first professional contract with Nemzeti Bajnokság I side Újpest after agreeing to a four-year deal and receiving squad number 62.[4] On 15 August 2020, he was named as a Újpest substitute for the first time in a Nemzeti Bajnokság I match against Paksi.[5]

International career

Albania

Under-17

On 16 October 2015, Kastrati was named as part of the Albania U17 squad for 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification.[6] On 22 October 2015, he made his debut with Albania U17 in a match against Switzerland U17 after being named in the starting line-up.[7]

Kosovo

First call-up

On 21 March 2017, Kastrati received first call-up from Kosovo U21 for a 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Republic of Ireland U21,[8] he was an unused substitute in that match.

Promotion to the senior team

On 5 June 2017, Kastrati received a call-up from Kosovo for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Turkey.[9] On 9 October 2017, he made his debut with Kosovo in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Iceland after coming on as a substitute at 78th minute in place of Besar Halimi.[10]

Return to youth teams
Under-19

On 17 March 2018, Kastrati was named as part of the Kosovo U19 squad for 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship elite qualifications.[11] On 21 March 2018, he made his debut with Kosovo U19 in a match against Portugal U19 after being named in the starting line-up.[12]

Under-21

On 27 May 2019, Kastrati returns to Kosovo U21, where call-up for 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against Andorra U21 and Turkey U21.[13] On 6 June 2019, he made his debut with Kosovo U21 in a match against Andorra U21 after being named in the starting line-up.[14]

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References
  1. "ESCLUSIVA TMW - Bologna, fatta per Kastrati. Accordo triennale" [TMW EXCLUSIVE - Bologna, made for Kastrati. Three-year agreement]. TUTTOmercatoWEB.com (in Italian). 23 July 2018.
  2. "Preso il kosovaro Kastrati: per il difensore contratto triennale" [Taken the Kosovar Kastrati: three-year contract for the defender]. TUTTOmercatoWEB.com (in Italian). 23 July 2018.
  3. "Campionato Primavera 2, Bologna – Spal 1–1". ZONACALCIOFAIDATE.it (in Italian). 15 September 2018. Bologna: Fantoni, Kastrati, Visconti (69' Farinelli), Mazza, Busi, Padovan, Portanova (62' Mantovani), Cassandro, Rabbi (84' Uhunamure), Cossalter (69′ Koutsoupias), Krastev
  4. "Koszovói válogatott hátvéd az új igazolásunk" [Kosovo national team defender our new player] (in Hungarian). Újpest FC. 22 July 2020.
  5. "Paksi SE vs. Újpest 1–2". Soccerway. 15 August 2020.
  6. "Kombëtarja U-17, vazhdon përgatitjet" [The U-17 national team continues preparations] (in Albanian). Albanian Football Association. 16 October 2015.
  7. "Shqipëria U17 mposhtet nga...shqiptarët" [Albania U17 defeated by...Albanians] (in Albanian). Top Channel. 22 October 2015.
  8. "Lista e futbollistëve të Përfaqësueses U21" [List of footballers of national U21 team] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 21 March 2017.
  9. "Bunjaku publikoi listën e futbollistëve për ndeshjen me Turqinë" [Bunjaku published the list of footballers for the match with Turkey] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 5 June 2017.
  10. "Islanda e mund Kosovën dhe kualifikohet në Botëror" [Iceland defeat Kosovo and qualify in the World Cup] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 9 October 2017. Në 15 minutat e fundit të ndeshjes u inkuadrua edhe futbollisti i ri i Romës, Lirim Kastrati, i cili kësisoj bëri debutimin në Kombëtaren A
  11. "Kombëtarja U19 udhëtoi për Portugali" [National U19 team traveled to Portugal] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 17 March 2018.
  12. "Në ndeshjen e parë Kombëtarja U-19 humbi nga Portugalia me përvojë" [In the first match national U19 team defeat from experienced Portugal] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 21 March 2018.
  13. "Prekazi publikon listën, beson te lojtarët e rinj" [Prekazi publishes the list, believes in new players] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 27 May 2019.
  14. "Kosova U21 shkëlqen kundër Andorrës, fiton 4:0" [Kosovo U21 shines against Andorra, wins 4:0] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 6 June 2019.
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