Sokol Cikalleshi

Sokol Cikalleshi
Personal information
Full name Sokol Cikalleshi
Date of birth (1990-07-27) 27 July 1990
Place of birth Kavajë, Albania
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current team
 Istanbul Basaksehir
Number 99
Youth career
2004–2007 Besa Kavajë
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2013 Besa Kavajë 56 (11)
2011 → Skënderbeu (loan) 4 (0)
2012 → KF Tirana (loan) 13 (2)
2012 → Incheon United (loan) 6 (0)
2013–2014 FK Kukësi 30 (17)
2014–2015 RNK Split 32 (10)
2015– Istanbul Basaksehir 29 (6)
National team‡
2008–2009 Albania U19 6 (2)
2009 Albania U20 2 (0)
2009–2011 Albania U21 3 (1)
2014– Albania 20 (2)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 March 2016.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 June 2016

Sokol Cikalleshi (Albanian pronunciation: ['sɔkɔl 'tsikaɫɛʃi]; born 27 July 1990 in Kavajë) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as forward for Turkish Süper Lig club Istanbul Basaksehir and the Albania national team. He is a versatile attacking plater who is known for his goalscoring ability and his arial prowess.

He made his professional debut in 2007 as a 17 year old with his hometown club Besa Kavajë, and would then go on loan to Skënderbeu Korçë, KF Tirana and South Korean side Incheon United between 2011 and 2012. He joined FK Kukësi in 2013 and scored 22 goals in all competitions during the 2013–14 campaign, where he gained the attention of the Albania national team setup as well as Croatian side RNK Split who signed the player in 2014 for a reported fee of €100,000. He was the club's top goalscorer during the 2014–15 campaign, netting 13 times in all competitions before joining Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir for a €1.8 million fee in 2015.

He was first called up to the Albania national team by Gianni De Biasi and he made his debut on 31 May 2014 against Romania. Since making his debut he has been a regular member of the national side, and he has earned 17 caps since 2014 and has scored in two friendly internationals.

Career

Besa Kavajë

Cikalleshi joined his hometown club Besa Kavajë in 2004 as a 14 year old and he progressed through the youth ranks at the club, until he made his professional debut at the age of 17 on the final day of the 2007–08 Albanian Superliga against local rivals Teuta Durrës, a match in which he came on as a half time substitute in a 5–3 win.[1] In the following season he was an important member of the club's under-19s, as he captained the side to the national championship title in a season where he also made 10 league appearances for the senior side, including 2 starts. Under Shpëtim Duro, Cikalleshi became a regular first team member during the 2009–10 campaign, where he was part of strike force that included Daniel Xhafaj and Vioresin Sinani, who are two of the most prolific strikers in Albanian football history. He made 27 league appearances and scored twice, with his first professional goal coming against Shkumbini Peqin on 29 August 2011 in the Albanian Superliga,[2] and he also went on to score against Vllaznia Shkodër later in the season.[3] The 2009–10 campaign proved to be one of the club's most successful ever season, as they finished runners-up in the Albanian Superliga behind Dinamo Tirana and won the Albanian Cup for only the second time in history. Cikalleshi played a significant role in the club's cup winning run, as he made 8 appearances and scored twice, including the winning goal in the semi final against Shkumbini Peqin.[4] that sent Besa Kavajë to the final, which was won against Vllaznia Shkodër.

Skënderbeu Korçë

He agreed to join KF Skënderbeu Korçë on a 6-month loan deal ahead of the opening of the January 1transfer window, and travelled with the rest of the squad to Antalya, Turkey for their mid season training camp.

KF Tirana

Cikalleshi joined Tirana on loan until the end of the 2011–12 season on 27 January 2012 following a successful trial at the club, claiming it to be the "chance of a lifetime" to have the chance to play for the club.[5][6] He made his debut for the club in the Albanian Cup against Bylis Ballsh on 29 January, where he came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute for Klodian Duro in the goalless draw.[7]

Incheon United

In July 2012, Cikalleshi joined South Korean K-League club Incheon United FC on a 6-month loan deal.[8] During his time at Blue-Blacks, Cikalleshi made six appearances, only two of them as a starter, collecting 193 minutes in the process.

FK Kukësi

In August 2013, Cikalleshi joined FK Kukësi club on a 1-year deal. He made his debut with the club on 4 September 2013 during the 1–0 shock lose against the newcomers of KF Lushnja.[9] He opened his scoring account eight weeks later where he scored during the 2–1 away lose against Flamurtari Vlorë, which was followed by another goal in the next week against KF Laçi, where Kukësi won in Laç in the very last seconds thanks to a penalty.[10] On 6 November 2013, in the returning leg of the first round of 2013–14 Albanian Cup, Cikalleshi scored in a 5–0 thrashing of Naftëtari Kuçovë, helping Kukësi to advance in the next round with the aggregate 6–0.[11] He scored for the fourth consecutive match, this time against his former side KF Tirana helping Kukësi to prevail 2–1 at Zeqir Ymeri Stadium; he was later selected "Man of the Match".[12]

RNK Split

Following FK Kukësi's elimination in the Europa League, on 17 July 2014 Cikalleshi signed for Croatian side RNK Split on a three-year contract and RNK Split paid to Kukësi a fee of €100.000.[13][14][15] On August 19 he scored his first goal with RNK Split in a match against NK Hrvace, valid for the 2014–15 Croatian Football Cup.[16]

İstanbul Başakşehir F.K.

On 6 June 2015 RNK Split accepted the €1.8 million bid of Turkish side İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. to transfer Cikalleshi to the Süper Lig club.[17] Ten days later Cikalleshi was presented to the club where he signed a 4-years contract.[18]

International career

After his good performances with FK Kukësi in 2013–14 season, he received his first call up to the Albanian national team by Gianni De Biasi for friendlies against Romania, Hungary and San Marino. He made his debut with Albania on 31 May in a 1–0 loss against Romania, in where he started the match and was substituted in the start of the second-half by Shkëlzen Gashi.[19]

On 16 November 2015, Cikalleshi came off the bench to score his first international goal for Albania in the 94th minute of a 2–2 friendly home draw against Georgia, in the last international match at Qemal Stafa Stadium.[20]

International goals

Scores and results list Albania's goal tally first.[21]
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref
1 16 November 2015 Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania 15  Georgia 2–2 2–2 Friendly match [22]
2 29 March 2016 Stade Josy Barthel, Route d'Arlon, Luxembourg 17  Luxembourg 2–0 2–0 Friendly match [23]

Style of Play

Çikalleshi is a very strong player on the ball who is capable with both feet. In addition to that, Cikalleshi is also a great player in the air and considered as an aerial threat.

Career statistics

Club

As of 13 January 2016[24][25][26]
Club Season League Cup[lower-alpha 1] Continental[lower-alpha 2] Other[lower-alpha 3] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Besa Kavajë 2007–08 Albanian Superliga 10———10
2008–09 100———100
2009–10 27262——334
2010–11 156112010197
Total 5387320106311
Skënderbeu Korçë 2010–11 Albanian Superliga 4010——50
Total 4010——50
Besa Kavajë 2011–12 Albanian Superliga 0000——00
Total 0000——00
Tirana 2011–12 Albanian Superliga 13293——225
Total 13293——225
Incheon United 2012 K-League 6000——60
Total 6000——60
Besa Kavajë 2012–13 Albanian Superliga 4300——43
Total 4300——43
Kukësi 2013–14 Albanian Superliga 30179420—4122
2014–15 ——20—20
Total 30179540—4322
RNK Split 2014–15 Prva Liga 321073——3913
Total 321073——3913
İstanbul Başakşehir 2015–16 Süper Lig 1524620—218
Total 1524620—218
Career total 157423720801020362
  1. ↑ Including cup competitions, such as Albanian Cup, Korean League Cup, Croatian Football Cup and Turkish Cup
  2. ↑ Including continental competitions, such as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup/Europa League
  3. ↑ Including other competitions, such as Albanian Supercup

International

As of 11 June 2016[27]
Albania national team
YearAppsGoals
201470
201581
201651
Total202

Honours

Besa Kavajë
Skënderbeu Korçë
Kukësi

References

  1. ↑ "Teuta Durrës 3–5 Besa Kavajë". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "Shkumbini Peqin 1–2 Besa Kavajë". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "Vllaznia Shkodër 2–3 Besa Kavajë". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  4. ↑ "Shkumbini Peqin 0–1 Besa Kavajë". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  5. ↑ "Gjata firmos për një vit e gjysmë" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  6. ↑ Feriz Ferizaj (27 January 2012). "Flamurtari largon Hysën, Cikalleshi huazohet te Tirana" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  7. ↑ Bylis Ballsh 0-0 KF Tirana Soccerway
  8. ↑ Feriz Ferizaj (25 November 2015). "Firmos në Kore Cikalleshi, ja detajet e kontratës". Panorama Sport (in Albanian). Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  9. ↑ Armand Nezha (4 September 2013). "Një debutues në Superiore likujdon Kukësin, Lushnja e fillon me fitore rikthimin në elitë". Panorama Sport (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  10. ↑ Vladimir Prenga (3 November 2013). ""Ringjallet" dhe Kukësi, fiton me përmbysje. Laçi i Nicës pëson humbjen e parë në shtëpi". Panorama Sport (in Albanian). Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  11. ↑ Jonuz Hallaçi (6 November 2013). "Goleadë e Kukësit ndaj kuçovarëve, dëmtohet portieri Halili". Panorama Sport (in Albanian). Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  12. ↑ Jonuz Hallaçi; Adela Merko (10 November 2013). "Kukësi fundos Tiranën, Gallo drejt shkarkimit". Panorama Sport (in Albanian). Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  13. ↑ Cikalleshi nga Kukësi ne Split Borozani.com
  14. ↑ Cikalleshi firmos tre vite te Split, Kukësi e kërcënon Panorama Sport
  15. ↑ Cikalleshi prezantohet te RNK Split City FM
  16. ↑ Cikalleshi, gol dhe asist te Spliti Panorama Sport
  17. ↑ Cikalleshi, tek Istanbul në Turqi Panorama Sport
  18. ↑ Prezantohet Sokol Cikalleshi Sportal.al
  19. ↑ ""Vetëvrasje" në fund, kuqezinjtë munden nga Rumania". Panorama Sport (in Albanian). Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  20. ↑ "Shqipëri-Gjeorgji mbyllet 2–2, më në fund shënon Cikalleshi". Iklub.al (in Albanian). 16 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  21. ↑ "Sokol Cikalleshi - national football team player". EU-Football.info. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  22. ↑ "Albania vs. Georgia 2 – 2". Soccerway. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  23. ↑ "Luxembourg vs. Albania 0 – 2". Soccerway. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  24. ↑ "Albanian - S. Cikalleshi - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  25. ↑ "Football : Sokol Cikalleshi". Football Database. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  26. ↑ "Profile of Sokol Cikalleshi". Scoresway. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  27. ↑ "Sokol Cikalleshi". National Football Teams. Retrieved 13 January 2016.

External links

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