Mirel Çota

Mirel Çota (born 14 May 1988) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Albanian club Sopoti Librazhd.[1][2]

Mirel Çota
Personal information
Full name Mirel Çota
Date of birth (1988-05-14) 14 May 1988
Place of birth Librazhd, Albania
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Sopoti Librazhd
Number 9
Youth career
2002–2007 Torino
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2008 Teuta 20 (2)
2008–2009 Savona 10 (1)
2009–2012 Teuta 58 (14)
2012–2014 Tirana 44 (6)
2014 Elbasani 16 (3)
2015 Teuta Durrës 17 (2)
2015–2017 Sopoti 46 (18)
2017–2018 Dinamo Tirana 12 (2)
2018 Turbina 12 (6)
2018– Sopoti 11 (12)
National team‡
2004 Albania U17 3 (4)
– Albania U19 3 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 9 December 2018
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 5 August 2015

Club career

Tirana

24-year old Çota completed a transfer at Tirana on 12 June 2012 by penning a two-year contract worth €50,000.[3] He made his league debut on 25 August in the opening day of 2012–13 Albanian Superliga versus Tomori Berat, winning a penalty in 30th minute which was scored by Klodian Duro as Tirana won 0–1 at Tomori Stadium.[4] He was replaced in the 68th minute following a collision with the defender Charles Ofoyen which injured his eyebrow which required 8 stitches.[4] He opened his scoring account on 2 September in the second matchday against Shkumbini Peqin, scoring a tap-in after dribbling goalkeeper Elvis Kotorri in an eventual 3–0 home win.[5]

Elbasan

At end of July 2014, Çota joined newly promoted club Elbasani for an undisclosed fee.[6][7] Then he went in Struga where his team was doing the pre-season training. He debuted with club in the opening week one 2014–15 Albanian Superliga season on 23 August in a 1–0 loss against the champions of Skënderbeu Korçë.[8] Çota scored his first maiden Elbasani in a 1–5 defeat to his former side Teuta Durrës on 11 September.[9]

On 5 October 2014, he scored the second goal of the season, the opener of a 2–0 win against the fellow relegation strugglers Apolonia Fier for the first three points of the campaign.[10][11] Later in November, Çota netted the third of the season in a 2–0 away win against Teuta Durrës to lead the team to the second win of the season.[12] He finished the first part of the season by being the team's top goalscorer with 3 goals and left the club during the winter transfer market.

Teuta Durrës

On 6 January 2015, Çota joined fellow top flight side Teuta Durrës by signing a contract until the end of the season, returning for a third time, also becoming the club's third winter signing.[13] He made his first appearance in the friendly against Tirana for days later, netting in a 2–2 draw.[14] His competitive debut occurred on 25 January in the match against Flamurtari Vlorë, finished in a 2–1 away defeat with Çota scoring his team's only goal (later credited to Vukašin Tomić as an owngoal). The match was dubbed as a "scandal" by Albania media and fixed by AFA.[15] Çota appeared in 17 league games during the second part of the season, scoring twice as Teuta barey avoided relegation.[16]

Sopoti Librazhd

Çota joined Albanian First Division side Sopoti Librazhd on 1 August 2015 on a free transfer, as the transfer was announced by the club administrator Iridion Bahiti.[17] He was given the shirt with number 9 by the club and become the vice-captain.

He made his debut in team's opening match of the season on 12 September 2015, starting and playing full-90 minutes in a goalless home draw against Shkumbini Peqin.[18] Çota opened his scoring account two weeks later by scoring in the 3–0 win against Butrinti Sarandë, helping the team to get its first win of the season in week three.[19] On 17 October, he scored in a 3–1 win over Turbina Cërrik, which was followed by another two goals during the 2–0 win against Apolonia Fier, taking his tally up to four goals.[20][21]

On 10 April 2016, Çota scored a brace in the 3–2 away defeat to Lushnja in the matchday 21, reaching double-figures for the first time in his career.[22] He eventually finished the 2015–16 season by scoring 13 times in 23 league appearances, setting a new personal best, as Sopoti barely escaped relegation by finishing 8th in Group B.

He declined during 2016–17 season, scoring only 5 goals in 23 appearances as Sopoti was relegated in Albanian Second Division.

Dinamo Tirana

On 27 August 2017, Çota completed a transfer to fellow capital team Dinamo Tirana, taking the squad number 9 for the 2017–18 season.[23] He made his Dinamo debut on 17 September in the opening matchday against Besa Kavajë which finished in a 2–0 away loss.[24] His first score-sheet contributions came in his second ever appearance for the club five days later, netting the lone goal against Erzeni Shijak.[25]

Çota left the club in mid-January 2018.[26] He scored only twice in 12 league appearances during his short spell at Blue Submarine.

Turbina Cërrik

On 17 January 2018, Turbina Cërrik announced they have signed Çota for an undisclosed fee.[27] The 29-year old signed a contract running until the end of 2017–18 season.[26] He enjoyed a fine form during his spell at the club, scoring six times in 12 appearances, including a brace in the 3–1 home win versus Shënkolli.[28]

Sopoti Librazhd return

On 30 July 2018, it was announced that Çota has returned to his boyhood club Sopoti Librazhd to help them to bouce back to Albanian First Division.[29] He scored a brace in the opening week of championship, a 2–1 home win over Tirana B.[30] His second brace came two weeks later in a 5–3 hammering of Partizani Tirana B.[31] On 4 November, Çota scored a hat-trick in a 14–1 unprecedent win of Sopoti versus Kevitan.[32] He doubled his tally for the season with another brace, this time against Ada Velipojë on 25 November, in another spectacular win (8–2).[33]

International career

A former Albania youth international, Çota has represented under-17 and -19.[34][35] With 4 goals in 3 matches, he is Albania under-17 all-time top scorer.

Career statistics
As of 9 December 2018[1]
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Teuta Durrës 2007–08 Albanian Superliga 20200——202
Savona 2008–09 Serie D 10100——101
Teuta Durrës 2009–10 Albanian Superliga 13040——170
2010–11 21820——238
2011–12 24650——296
Total 5814110——6914
Tirana 2012–13 Albanian Superliga 225424[lower-alpha 1]11[lower-alpha 2]0318
2013–14 23142——273
Total 4568441105811
Elbasani 2014–15 Albanian Superliga 16320——183
Teuta Durrës 2014–15 Albanian Superliga 17200——172
Sopoti Librazhd 2015–16 Albanian First Division 231320—1[lower-alpha 3]02613
2016–17 23521—1[lower-alpha 3]0266
Total 461841—205219
Dinamo Tirana 2017–18 Albanian First Division 12200——122
Turbina Cërrik 2017–18 Albanian First Division 12600——126
Sopoti Librazhd 2018–19 Albanian Second Division 111200——1112
Career total 24766255413027972
  1. All appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  2. Appearance in Albanian Supercup
  3. All appearance(s) in Albanian First Division relegation play-offs

Honours

Club
Tirana
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References
  1. Mirel Çota at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  2. "TESSERATO L'ALBANESE COTA". Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  3. Adela Merko (12 June 2012). "Çota te Tirana për 70 milionë" [Çota at Tirana for 70 million] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  4. Adela Merko (25 August 2012). "Tirana fiton nga "tribuna", vendos Duro. Beratasit agresivë, s'marrin dot "hak"" [Tirana wins from the “tribunes”, Duro decides. Beratasit aggressive, cannot take “revenge”] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  5. Adela Merko (25 August 2012). "Pa trajner, Tirana shpërthen në gola. Tris ndaj Shkumbinit pas 10 muajsh" [Without coach, Tirana explode on goals. Triple against Shkumbini after 10 months] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  6. "Elbasani merr Mirel Çotën. Largohet Fidan Hasani, s'gjeti akordin financiar" [Elbasani takes Mirel Çota. Fidan Hasani leaves, he didn't find financial agreement] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 29 July 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  7. Halili, Erjon (29 July 2014). "Mirel Çota transferohet tek Elbasani" [Mirel Çota transferred to Elbasani] (in Albanian). Gazeta e Sportit. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  8. Karaj, Leonard (24 August 2014). "Kursehet Skënderbeu, shpërdoron Elbasani. File: Ishim Të pafat, prisni Elbasan ndryshe" [Skënderbeu spreads, Elbasani wasts. File: We were unlucky, expect a different Elbasan] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  9. Fatmir Ahmeti (11 September 2014). "Teuta turpëron Elbasanin, dorëhiqet File. Pisha braktis lojën, zbardhen prapaskenat" [Teuta humiliates Elbasani, File resigns. Pisha abandon the game, the backdrops are unveiled] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  10. "Pero Pejic i jep kryesimin Kukësit, Laci trondit kuqeblutë" [Pero Pejić gives Kukësi the lead, Laçi shocks red&blues] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 5 October 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  11. "Zgjohet Elbasani, Apolonia në "koma"" [Elbasani wakes up, Apolonia in "coma"] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  12. "Partizani pëson 3 gola, shthuret në Korçë. Tirana u rrëmben kreun të kuqve të Duros" [Partizani concedes 3 goals, humiliated in Korçë. Tirana takes Duro's reds the lead] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 8 November 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  13. "Teuta merr Çotën, "I lumtur për rikthimin"" [Teuta takes Çota, "Happy for the return"] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 6 January 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  14. "Tirana, vetëm "X" në Durrës. Bardheblutë barazojnë 2-2 miqsoren me Teutën" [Tirana, only "X" in Durrës. White&blue draw 2-2 in the friendly with Teuta] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 11 January 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  15. "Skandal në Vlorë, Teuta i hap portën Flamurtarit, ka estradë në minutat e fundit" [Scandal in Vlorë, Teuta opens the goal to Flamurtari, there is a theater in the last minutes] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  16. "Mbijeton Teuta, bie Apolonia" [Teuta survives, Apolonia relegated] (in Albanian). Sportal.al. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  17. Ledion Qoshku (1 August 2015). "Godet Sopoti, merr Mirel Çotën" [Sopoti strikes, takes Mirel Çota] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  18. "KF Sopoti 0 – 0 KF Shkumbini". FSHF.org (in Albanian). 12 September 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  19. "Sopoti Librazhd vs. Butrinti Sarandë 3 – 0". Soccerway. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  20. "Sopoti bën tripletë, Turbina akuzon" [Sopoti makes treble, Turbina accuses] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  21. "Sopoti Librazhd vs. Apolonia Fier 2 – 0". Soccerway. 24 October 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  22. "Lushnja vs. Sopoti Librazhd 3 – 2". Soccerway. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  23. "Dinamo kërkon të ngjitet në Superiore, merr ish-lojtarin e Tiranës" [Dinamo wants to be promoted in Superliga, takes ex-player of Tirana] (in Albanian). Newsport.al. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  24. Erald Kodheli (17 September 2017). "Besa shfaqet pretendente, fiton 2-0 me Dinamon" [Besa appears a contender, wins 2-0 with Dinamo] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  25. Sotir Kora (22 September 2017). "Dinamo merr pikët e para në sezonin e ri" [Dinamo takes the first points of the new season] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  26. "Turbina i rrëmben Dinamos Mirel Çotën" [Turbina grabs Mirel Çota from Dinamo] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  27. "Turbina godet në merkato, firmos ish-sulmuesi i Tiranës" [Turbina strikes in transfer market, ex-Tirana striker signs] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  28. "Turbina Cërrik vs. Shënkolli 3 – 1". Soccerway. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  29. "Rikthimi te Sopoti, Mirel Çota përfundon në Kategorinë e Dytë" [The return to Sopoti, Mirel Çota ends up in Albanian Second Division] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  30. "KATEGORIA E DYTË, Grupi A/ Çota debuton me dopietë, Tërbuni dhe Ada dhurojnë spektakël në transfertë" [Albanian Second Division, Group A/ Çota debuted with a brace, Tërbuni and Ada spectacular in away] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  31. "Kategoria e Dytë, Grupi A/ Sopoti përmbys Partizanin në një ndeshje të çmendur, ja të gjitha rezultatet" [Albanian Second Division, Group A/ Sopoti overturns Partizani in a crazy match, here are all the results] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  32. "Kategoria e Dytë, Grupi A/ E pabesueshme, Sopoti fitore me 14 gola. Fitojnë Vllaznia dhe Gramshi" [Albanian Second Division, Group A/ Unbelievable, Sopoti a win with 14 goals. Vllaznia and Gramshi win] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  33. "Kategoria e Dytë, Grupi A/ Sopoti ia bën 8 me 2 Adës, Tërbuni dhe Spartaku me hap kampioni" [Albanian Second Division, Group A/ Sopoti makes it 8 to 2 with Ada, Tërbuni and Spartak with champion step] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 25 November 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  34. Albania – UEFA.com 30 December 2014
  35. Mirel Çota – UEFA.com 30 December 2014
  36. "Skënderbeu Korçë vs. Tirana 1 – 2". Soccerway. 19 August 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
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