Maldin Ymeraj

Maldin Bujar Ymeraj (born 6 March 1995) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Greek Super League 2 club Panachaiki.

Maldin Ymeraj

Personal information
Full name	Maldin Bujar Ymeraj
Date of birth	(1995-03-06) 6 March 1995
Place of birth	Mallakastër, Albania
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position(s)	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Panachaiki
Number	11
Youth career
2002–2014	Panathinaikos
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2015	→ Fostiras (laon)	10	(0)
2015–2018	Akropolis	38	(7)
2018	Kukësi	6	(0)
2018–2019	Luftëtari	26	(1)
2019–	Panachaiki	0	(0)
National team^‡
2011–2012	Albania U-17	8	(0)
2012–2013	Albania U-19	7	(0)
2013	Albania U-20	5	(0)
2015	Albania U-21	3	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 August 2019 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17 November 2015

Club career

Early career

Maldin Ymeraj was born in Mallakastër, Albania and his parents emigrated in Greece when Maldin was 2 years old. His name is not coincidentally similar to the icon of Milan, Paolo Maldini. His father Bujar recounts: "I was a fan of Paolo Maldini and I promised friends that if the child was boy, will line Maldini name". Ymeraj started his youth career at Panathinaikos F.C. academies at age of 7. He was scorer of U-17 Academy of Panathinaikos as a 15 years old.[1][2]

Panathinaikos

During the 2013–14 season on 13 March 2014 Panathinaikos announced that reached an agreement to sign professional contracts with Ymeraj and the fellow young footballers Nestoras Gekas, Stefanos Kotsaris, Dimitris Myrthianos, Marios Tzanoulinos, Vasilis Angelopoulos, Michail Peter Niouman, Paschalis Staikos, Lazaros Lamprou and Dimitris Aggelopoulos.[3]

Fostiras

On 29 January 2015 Ymeraj was loaned until the end of the 2014–15 season to Fostiras F.C. first team to gain experience.[4] He made it his first professional debut on 1 February 2015 by coming on as a 64th-minute substitute in place of Christos Moustogiannis in a goalless draw against Chania.[5]

Akropolis

In July 2015, Ymeraj moved to Swedish Division 1 Norra club Akropolis IF. He made his league debut for the club on 23 August 2015 in a 4-2 away victory over Carlstad United. In this match, he also scored his first league goal for the club. His goal, scored in the 49th minute, made the score 2-2. He played all ninety minutes of the match.[6]

Kukësi

In January 2017, Ymeraj moved to Albanian Superliga club FK Kukësi.[7] He made his league debut for the club on 24 February 2018 in a 1-0 home victory over KF Laçi. He was subbed on for Eni Imami in the 69th minute.[8]

International career

Ymeraj was included in the list of coach Ardian Mema the representative U-15 training accumulation talents became Albanian, living in Greece who became the U-17 and U-15, but could not appear. His declared that his big dream is red and black national team of Albania.[1]

Albania U17

Albania U19

Albania U20

Albania U21

Ymeraj was called up for the first time at the Albania national under-21 football team by the coach Skënder Gega for the friendly match against Italy u21 on 6 May 2014, the first match ever for Albania U21 after had finished their 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification campaign.[9] His next invitation then came to participate in for a mini preparatory stage in Turkey, wreathed with detailed program of Skënder Gega coach, the team also played 3 friendly matches: On 20 January 2015 against Iran U-20, on 22 January against Ukraine U21 counterparts while two days later, on Sunday in front of Albania dated 25 January against China U-23.[10]

Career statistics

Club

As of 9 February 2015 [4]

Season	Club	League country	League		League Cup		Europe		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
2014–15	Fostiras	Football League (Greece)	10	0	0	0	-	-	10	0
Total			10	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
2015	Akropolis	Allsvenskan	0	0	0	0	-	-	0	0
Total			0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career total			10	0	0	0	0	0	10	0

References

1. Pas Sotir Ninit, Panathinajkos zbulon dhe Maldinin shqiptar Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve
2. Maldini shqiptar i Panathinaikosit Archived 2015-02-04 at the Wayback Machine TRIBUNA
3. Ανακοίνωση Panathinaikos.gr
4. Maldin Ymeraj at Soccerway
5. Fostiras vs. Chania - 1 February 2015 - Soccerway
6. "Carlstad United vs. Akropolis – 23 August 2015 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
7. "Ymeraj går till Albanien (Ymeraj goes to Albania)". stockholmdirekt.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 June 2018.
8. "Kukesi vs. Laci – 24 February 2018 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
9. Shpallet lista e ekipit U-21, kundër Italisë Archived 2016-09-17 at the Wayback Machine FSHF.org
10. Shpresat minifaze pergatitore ne Turqi FSHF.org

External links

• Maldin Ymeraj at Soccerway