Leonit Abazi

Leonit Abazi (born 5 July 1993) is a Kosovo Albanian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Kosovan club Prishtina.

Leonit Abazi
Abazi with Skënderbeu Korçë in October 2015
Personal information
Full name Leonit Abazi
Date of birth (1993-07-05) 5 July 1993
Place of birth Gjilan, FR Yugoslavia
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Prishtina
Number N/A
Youth career
2006–2011 Drita
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Drita 30 (4)
2013–2019 Skënderbeu Korçë 92 (3)
2019– Prishtina 20 (2)
National team‡
2013–2014 Albania U21 2 (0)
2015– Kosovo 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20 December 2019
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 4 December 2015

Club career

Skënderbeu Korçë

Born in Gjilan, in modern-day Kosovo, Abazi played with Drita in the Football Superleague of Kosovo before moving to Albania to join the reigning defending champions Skënderbeu Korçë in the summer of 2013.[1] He made his debut for Sëenderbeu in their victory on penalty shootouts against Laçi in the 2013 Albanian Supercup.[2]

Abazi made his first Albanian Superliga appearance on 15 September 2013 in second matchday against Flamurtari Vlorë, playing the second half as the team was defeated 1–2 away.[3] Later on 3 October, he was replaced after only 17 minutes in the match against Vllaznia Shkodër. Some days after, it was reported that Abazi has plucked his left knee ligaments and will be sidelined for the next 6 months.[4] He finished his first season in Albania by making 12 appearances in all competitions.

Abazi playing his first competitive match after 10 months on 17 August 2014 in the 2014 Albanian Supercup against Flamurtari Vlorë which was won 1–0 at Qemal Stafa Stadium.[5] He scored his maiden Skënderbeu goal on 1 October in the first leg of 2014–15 Albanian Cup first round in the 1–10 thrashing of Himara.[6] Abazi opened his Albanian Superliga account on 23 February of the following year against championship rivals Kukësi.[7] He dedicated the goal to his mother.[8] He concluded 2014–15 season 32 appearances in all competitions, including 23 in league as Skënderbeu retained the championship for the fourth time in a row.[9]

Abazi lining up with Skënderbeu Korçë.

Following the end of the season, Abazi signed a new deal with the club along with teammate Bajram Jashanica. The new contract would run until 30 June 2017 and had the option to renew for another year.[10] In the summer of 2015, Abazi made two appearances as substitute as Skenderbeu become first Albanian club to reach Champions League play-off.[11] Skënderbeu was eventually eliminated by Dinamo Zagreb in the play-off which meant Skënderbeu had qualified to 2015–16 UEFA Europa League group stage for the first time in history.[12]

Abazi scored his first league goal for 2015–16 season in a 4–0 thrashing of Bylis Ballsh on 3 December 2015.[13] He collected 451 minutes in the UEFA Europa League group stage as Skënderbeu finished Group H in last place with 3 points.[14] He finished his third Skënderbeu Korçë season by making 40 appearances in all competitions, as Skënderbeu won their seventh Albanian Superliga title,[15] which was later revoked due to match fixing.[16]

Abazi's 2016–17 season was marred by injuries. He managed to make only 7 appearances in all competitions. He was recovered in June 2017,[17] but was reinjured again.

After more than a year sidelined due to injury, Abazi returned on training in February 2018.[18] He made his first appearance of the season on 14 March by appearing as a substitute in the second half of a 1–1 away draw against Teuta Durrës.[18] By playing in the 3–1 away loss to Luftëtari Gjirokastër on 19 May, Abazi reached the 100 appearances milestone for the club.[19] He finished the league by making 8 appearances, 4 of them as starter, collecting 372 minutes as the team won the championship once again.[20] In cup, he had little to offer, but still played two matches as substitute, both semi-final legs against Flamurtari Vlorë, as the tournament ended in conquest, meaning that the team had achieved the domestic double for the first time in history.[21]

Abazi was fully recovered ahead of the 2018–19 season.[22] He begun his sixth season with the club on 12 August, playing full-90 minutes in a 3–2 success against Laçi in the 2018 Albanian Supercup match.[23]

International career

Albania

Abazi has been part of Albania under-21 squad, collecting 2 appearances.[24][25]

Kosovo

Abazi received his first call-up to the Kosovo senior team by manager Albert Bunjaki for the friendly match against Equatorial Guinea.[26] He was able to earn his first international cap by appearing in the last six minutes in place of Ilir Berisha as the match was won 2–0 at Pristina City Stadium.[27]

Career statistics

Club
As of 18 August 2018[28]
Club statistics
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Skënderbeu Korçë 2013–14 Albanian Superliga 50006[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 2]0120
2014–15 23182001[lower-alpha 2]0323
2015–16 252618[lower-alpha 3]01[lower-alpha 2]0403
2016–17 2040—1[lower-alpha 2]070
2017–18 802000—100
2018–19 1000—1[lower-alpha 2]020
Total 643203140501036
Career total 643203140501036
  1. Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, two in UEFA Europa League
  2. Appearance in Albanian Supercup
  3. Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, six in UEFA Europa League

International
As of 25 October 2015[29][30]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Kosovo 201510
Total10

Honours
Skënderbeu Korçë[28]

References
  1. "Leonit Abazi merr ofertë nga Skënderbeu" [Leonit Abazi receives offer from Skënderbeu] (in Albanian). koha.net. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  2. "Skenderbeu fiton Superkupen 2013" [Skënderbeu wins 2013 Supercup] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  3. "Flamurtari Vlorë vs. Skënderbeu Korçë 2 – 1". Soccerway. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  4. "Skenderbeu nuk do te kete kosovarin Leonit Abazi" [Skënderbeu will not have the Kosovan Leonit Abazi] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 9 October 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  5. "Skënderbeu e nis me trofe, fiton Superkupën e Shqipërisë" [Skënderbeu starts with trophy, wins Albanian Supercup] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  6. "Himara vs. Skënderbeu 1 – 10". Soccerway. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  7. "Skënderbeu vs. Kukësi 1 – 1". Soccerway. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  8. "Abazi: Kukësi nuk e meriton titullin, golin ia dedikoj nënës" [Abazi: Kukësi don't deserve the title, I dedicate the goal to my mother] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  9. "Skënderbeu vulon titullin e gjashtë kampion" [Skënderbeu seals the sixth championship title] (in Albanian). BalkanWeb.com. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  10. "Lëviz Skënderbeu, firmosin Abazi dhe Jashanica" [Skënderbeu moves, Abazi and Jashanica signs] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  11. "Skenderbeu becomes first Albanian club to reach Champions League play-off". Tirana Times. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  12. "Skënderbeu kualifikohet në grupet e Europa League, fiton 2-0 ndaj Milsamit. Luajti për 6.1 mln €" [Skënderbeu qualifies to Europa League groups, wins 2-0 over Milsami. Played for €6,1 million] (in Albanian). BalkanWeb.com. 5 August 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  13. "Skënderbeu pa frena, bën poker ndaj Bylisit" [Skënderbeu without brakes, poker against Bylis] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  14. "UEFA Europa League 2015/16 – History – Standings". UEFA.com. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  15. "Skënderbeu kampion i Shqipërisë, korçarët fitojnë titullin e 6-të radhazi (VIDEO)" [Skënderbeu champion of Albania, korçarët wins the 6th title in a row (VIDEO)] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  16. "Albania's KF Skenderbeu banned from Europe for match-fixing". espnfc.com. ESPN FC. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  17. "Leonit Abazi rikthehet nga lëndimi" [Leonit Abazi returns from injury] (in Albanian). Gazeta Olle. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  18. "Më shumë se një vit pa futboll, merr fund kalvari i Leonit Abazit" [More than a year without football, Leonit Abazi's calvar is over] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  19. "Luftëtari Gjirokastër vs. Skënderbeu Korçë 3 – 1". Soccerway. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  20. "ZYRTARE/ Skënderbeu shpallet kampion i Kategorisë Superiore për sezonin 2017-2018" [OFFICIAL/ Skënderbeu named champion of Albanian Superliga for 2017-18 season] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  21. "Skënderbeu triumfon në Kupë, vendos një 11-metërsh i dyshimtë" [Skënderbeu triumphs in cup, a suspicious penalty decides] (in Albanian). Top-Channel.tv. 27 May 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  22. "Drama e mesfushorit të Skënderbeut, 4 sezone i dëmtuar: Ndihem borxhli ndaj klubit, tani jam gati!" [Drama of Skënderbeu's midfielder, 4 seasons injured: I owe the club, now I'm ready!] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  23. "Tjetër trofe për Skënderbeun, fiton Superkupën ndaj Laçit" [Another trophy for Skënderbeu, wins the Supercup versus Laçi] (in Albanian). Top-Channel.tv. 12 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  24. "Leonit Abazi pjese e Kombëtares Shqiptare U21" [Leonit Abazi part of Albania national under-21 team] (in Albanian). Radio Rinia. 1 June 2013. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  25. "Leonit Abazi, një tjetër kosovar te Kombëtarja U-21" [Leonit Abazi, another kosovan at under-21 national team] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 30 May 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  26. Alfred Lleshi (6 October 2015). "Tre "korçarë" në miqësoren e kombëtares së Kosovës" [Three “korçarë” in the Kosovo national team's friendly] (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  27. "Kosova shkëlqeu, shënoi super fitore kundër Guineas Ekuatoriale (Foto/ Video)" [Kosovo shone, recorded a super win against Equatorial Guinea] (in Albanian). Botasot.info. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  28. "Albania - L. Abazi - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  29. "Leonit Abazi". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  30. "Leonit Abazi - national football team player". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
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