Arijan Ademi
FullnameArijan Ademi
Birth date29 May 1991 (age 35)
Birth placeŠibenik, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia
Height1.84 m[1]
PositionDefensive midfielder
CurrentclubÚjpest
Clubnumber8
Years 12007–2010
Clubs 1Šibenik
Caps 156
Goals 12
Years 22010–2023
Clubs 2Dinamo Zagreb
Caps 2230
Goals 222
Years 32011–2012
Clubs 3→ Lokomotiva (loan)
Caps 33
Goals 30
Years 42023
Clubs 4Beijing Guoan
Caps 419
Goals 42
Years 52023–2025
Clubs 5Dinamo Zagreb
Caps 544
Goals 54
Years 62025–
Clubs 6Újpest
Caps 617
Goals 60
Nationalyears 12008–2009
Nationalteam 1Croatia U18
Nationalyears 22008–2010
Nationalteam 2Croatia U19
Nationalyears 32010–2011
Nationalteam 3Croatia U20
Nationalyears 42010–2012
Nationalteam 4Croatia U21
Nationalyears 52013–2014
Nationalteam 5Croatia
Nationalyears 62014–2023
Nationalteam 6North Macedonia
Nationalcaps 14
Nationalgoals 11
Nationalcaps 217
Nationalgoals 22
Nationalcaps 33
Nationalgoals 30
Nationalcaps 49
Nationalgoals 41
Nationalcaps 53
Nationalgoals 50
Nationalcaps 633
Nationalgoals 64
Pcupdate30 May 2026
Ntupdate19:10, 9 October 2022 (UTC)

Arijan Ademi (Macedonian: Аријан Адеми; born 29 May 1991) is a professional footballer who plays for Hungarian Football League club Újpest.

Ademi started his professional career at Šibenik, debuting for the senior squad on 22 March 2008, aged just 16 years. On 16 June 2010, he was transferred to reigning Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb, becoming the team captain in 2017. Through fourteen seasons at the club, Ademi became the most decorated player in club's history, having won 24 trophies.[2]

Born in Croatia to Macedonian Albanian parents, Ademi represented his country of birth at various youth levels. Despite even making three appearances for the senior team, on 9 October 2014, he debuted for the Macedonia national team in an official match. He was selected to represent North Macedonia at UEFA Euro 2020.

In 2015, Ademi initially received a four-year suspension for doping, which was subsequently reduced to two years.[3]

Club career

Šibenik

Ademi began his career at Šibenik where he was promoted to the first team on 15 September 2007. He made his first senior appearance for the club on 22 March 2008 in a match against Dinamo Zagreb.[4] He featured as a 63rd-minute substitute for Gabriel in a match Šibenik lost 5–1.[citation needed] The following season Ademi made 28 appearances for the senior squad, 16 of which he started in the first eleven. The 2009–10 Prva HNL was the most successful for Ademi as he made 27 appearances in the first eleven and scored two goals.[citation needed] He scored his first league goal on 25 July 2009 in an away match against Croatia Sesvete which Šibenik won 2–1.[4] He was also the youngest player that captained any Prva HNL club that season.[5]

Dinamo Zagreb

On 16 June 2010 he was transferred to Dinamo Zagreb for a fee of €400,000.[6] He made his first appearance for his new club on 31 July 2010 in a league match against Rijeka in a match Dinamo Zagreb lost 2–1.[citation needed] He also made his debut in European competitions on 4 August in the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round match against Sheriff Tiraspol which finished with a draw 1–1.[7] Upon arrival of the coach Vahid Halilhodžić he established himself as a first team regular in the position of defensive midfielder, and appeared as a starter in their 2010–11 UEFA Europa League group matches, as Dinamo finished third with 7 points, behind Villarreal and PAOK. By the end of the season he has won his first trophies with Dinamo, Prva HNL and Croatian Cup.

After losing his first team spot, in the second part of the 2011–12 season he was sent on loan to Lokomotiva, where he made only three appearances due to injury.

He came back from loan at the beginning of the 2012–13 season, and was a part of the squad that qualified for the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League. In the CL group stage, Ademi made 5 appearances, as Dinamo finished bottom of their group with one point.

On 7 October 2015, Dinamo Zagreb announced that Ademi failed a doping test after their recent Champions League win over Arsenal in September.[8] UEFA subsequently suspended Ademi for a period of four years.[9] On 27 March 2017, the suspension was reduced by two years as Ademi managed to prove that he hadn't taken doping intentionally, making him eligible for selection from October 2017.[10][11] In November 2017, Ademi was named the club captain, after coach Mario Cvitanović stripped Domagoj Antolić of captaincy.[12]

In summer 2020, upon winning Prva HNL, Ademi became the most decorated player in Dinamo's history, having won 17 trophies.[13] On 3 December 2020, he broke Sammir's record for most appearances for Dinamo in European competitions, making his 77th appearance in the 2–0 Europa League victory over Feyenoord at De Kuip.[14]

Beijing Guoan

In March 2023, it was confirmed that Ademi would be leaving Dinamo after 13 years to join Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan. He played his final match for Dinamo on 19 March against Rijeka.[15]

Ademi scored his first goal for Guoan in his 7th game for the club against Nantong Zhiyun on 15 May 2023.[16]

Return to Dinamo Zagreb

On 8 September 2023, Ademi rejoined Dinamo Zagreb.[17]

International career

Croatia

Ademi made his first international appearance for Croatia playing for the under-19 football team. His debut international cap came in a friendly match against Slovenia under-19 selection in Bistra, on 12 August 2008. Croatia won the match 3–1 and Ademi played until 69th minute when he was substituted by Renato Kelić. He made another appearance the next day when two selections faced each other in Brežice. The match finished with another win by Croatian under-19 team and Ademi played full 90 minutes in that match. He scored his first international goal on 17 September in a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina under-19 team in Županja. The match finished with a 2–2 draw.[18] His first official match for under-19 team came on 5 October 2008 when the team faced Estonia in Tallinn in their 2009 UEFA under-19 football championship. Estonia won the match 4–1 with Ademi playing the full match for Croatian side. He made another appearance against Kazakhstan on 7 October 2008 in a match Croatia won 4–0.[18] After that, Ademi was capped four times in friendly matches for the under-18 team between 10 March and 2 April 2009. He also scored a goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina under-18 team on 31 March in a home match Croatia won 3–0. Ademi returned to under-19 team on 15 September 2009 featuring in the friendly match against Slovenia. After that, he made four more official appearances for the under-19 team in their 2010 UEFA under-19 football championship qualifying campaign.[18] On 22 January 2013 national team head coach Igor Štimac called up Ademi for a friendly match against South Korea in London on 6 February 2013.[19] Earlier, in February 2013, Ademi had complained to the Albanian media that Albania never extended him an invitation.[20]

North Macedonia

After Niko Kovač did not select Ademi for the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad, Ademi decided to play for Macedonia.[21] Kovač later changed his mind and tried to call him up after the tournament but Ademi refused as he had already given his word to the Football Federation of Macedonia and didn't want to break the besa.[22] On 9 October 2014, he made his official debut in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Luxembourg.[23][24]

On 8 October and 12 November 2020, Ademi took part in North Macedonia's 2–1 and 1–0 victories over Kosovo and Georgia in the UEFA Euro 2020 play-offs, despite being injured both times, helping North Macedonia reach their first major tournament in history.[25][26] On 31 March 2021, in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Germany in Duisburg, Ademi provided Eljif Elmas with an assist for the winning goal in the 2–1 victory.[27] It was Germany's first defeat in the FIFA World Cup qualification since 1 September 2001 and the third ever.[28]

On 8 March 2024, national team coach Blagoja Milevski confirmed that Ademi retired from national team.[29]

Personal life

Ademi was born in Šibenik to a Macedonian Albanian family who hail from Pirok. His great-grandfather moved from Pirok to Šibenik after World War I, where his grandfather Afet opened a pastry shop that is still working.[22][30] He is a cousin of Macedonian professional football player Agim Ibraimi.[31]

In April 2020, Ademi's girlfriend Andrea Janković, daughter of Janko Janković, gave birth in Zagreb to their first child, a baby boy they named Adrian.[32] In September 2022, Ademi and Janković had their second son.[33]

Career statistics

Club

[34][35]

ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Šibenik2007–08Prva HNL10———10
2008–0928010——290
2009–1027270——342
Total56280——642
Dinamo Zagreb2010–11Prva HNL2107080—360
2011–1250112[a]0—81
2012–13243208[a]0—343
2013–14241721111[b]0434
2014–15263401111[b]0424
2015–1680—51—131
2016–17—————
2017–1822231——253
2018–1915240122—314
2019–201931012[a]21[b]0335
2020–212713315200456
2021–22203208200305
2022–23194106200306
Total2302238798133037042
Lokomotiva (loan)2011–12Prva HNL30———30
Beijing Guoan2023Chinese Super League19210——202
Dinamo Zagreb2023–24Prva HNL272400000312
2024–25172216000253
Total444616000565
Career total35230508104133051351
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. ^ Appearance in Croatian Super Cup

International

[36]

National teamYearAppsGoals
Croatia201330
Total30
Macedonia201430
201511
201600
201711
201840
North
Macedonia		201951
202040
202181
202220
202350
Total334

International goals

North Macedonia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Ademi goal.[36]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
114 June 2015Štadión pod Dubňom, Žilina, Slovakia
4
Slovakia
1–2
1–2
UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying
29 October 2017Stadion Mladost, Strumica, Macedonia
5
Liechtenstein
4–0
4–0
2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
35 September 2019Turner Stadium, Be'er Sheva, Israel
12
Israel
1–1
1–1
UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
425 March 2021Arena Națională, Bucharest, Romania
19
Romania
1–2
2–3
2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

Šibenik

Dinamo Zagreb[2]

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Arijan Ademi". GNK Dinamo Zagreb. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  2. ^ Tunjić, Luka (2025-06-20). "Ademi službeno predstavljen u mađarskom klubu: 'Pokazat ću da još imam puno u spremniku'" (in Croatian). 24sata. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  3. ^ "Arijan Ademi: Dinamo Zagreb midfielder's doping ban cut to two years". BBC Sport. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  4. ^ "Ademi "KOX" Arijan". Nogometni magazin. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  5. ^ "Arijan Ademi – najmlađi kapetan Lige" [Arijan Ademi – the youngest captain of the League.] (in Croatian). Index.hr. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  6. ^ "Ademi: Tetkove su mi slastice omogućile nogometnu karijeru" [Ademi: My aunt's sweets made my football career possible.] (in Croatian). Večernji list. 29 May 2010. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  7. ^ Hina (2020-12-03). "Ademi prestigao Sammira i postao novi Dinamov rekorder: Dugo će pamtiti veliku noć u Rotterdamu" [Ademi surpassed Sammir and became Dinamo’s new record holder: He will remember the great night in Rotterdam for a long time.] (in Croatian). Gol.hr. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  8. ^ "Dinamo Zagreb's Arijan Ademi fails drug test after win over Arsenal". BBC. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  9. ^ "Dinamo Zagreb's Arijan Ademi banned for four years for drugs test". BBC Sport. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  10. ^ "Arijan Ademi: Dinamo Zagreb midfielder's doping ban cut to two years". BBC Sport. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  11. ^ Bevanda, Antonio (2020-06-16). "Počelo je tučnjavom, zaustavio ga i doping, ali sve je preživio" [It started with a fight, he was stopped by doping, but he survived it all.] (in Croatian). 24sata. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  12. ^ Tironi, Hrvoje (2017-11-26). "Antolić više nije kapetan Dinama, traka na ruci Ademija!" [Antolić is no longer Dinamo’s captain; the armband is now on Ademi’s arm!] (in Croatian). Goal. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  13. ^ Ničota, Tomo (2020-06-16). "Najtrofejniji igrač Dinama: Kad to čujem, naježim se! Da mi je to netko najavio, rekao bih mu da je lud!" (in hr-hr). Sportske novosti. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  14. ^ Olivari, Davorin (2020-12-05). "Kakva godina, dobio sam sina, idem na Euro i s Dinamom imam proljeće u Europi! Transfer? Vidjet ćemo!" [What a year, I had a son, I'm going to the Euros, and with Dinamo, I have spring in Europe! Transfer? We'll see!] (in hr-hr). Sportske novosti. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  15. ^ "Ademi potpisao. Evo koliko će zarađivati u Kini i koliko će Dinamo dobiti za njega" [Ademi signed. Here's how much he will earn in China and how much Dinamo will get for him.] (in Croatian). index.hr. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  16. ^ "【中超】阿代米赛季首球 国安1比0南通获主场首胜". www.titan24.com. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  17. ^ "Maksimirski vođa i rekorder Arijan Ademi ponovno igrač Dinama!" (in Croatian). Dinamo Zagreb. 8 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Statistics – Caps: Arijan Ademi". Croatian Football Federation. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  19. ^ Štrbinić, Lovro (21 January 2013). "Štimac objavio popis za Južnu Koreju, braća Kovač preuzimaju mladu reprezentaciju" (in Croatian). Sportnet.hr. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  20. ^ Talenti/ Ademi: Shqipëria nuk u interesua për mua, zgjodha Kroacinë
  21. ^ "Kovačev popis za Svjetsko prvenstvo nije utjecao na moju odluku" [Kovač's World Cup squad list did not influence my decision.] (in Croatian). Jutarnji list. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  22. ^ Mikuličin, Petar (2018-04-21). "Šibenska priča obitelji Ademi: 'Arijan je otišao u Dinamo jer Hajduk za njega nije zagrizao'" [The Šibenik story of the Ademi family: 'Arijan went to Dinamo because Hajduk didn’t go after him.'] (in hr-hr). Slobodna Dalmacija. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  23. ^ "FYR Macedonia strike late to beat Luxembourg". UEFA. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  24. ^ "Player Database". eu-football.info. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
  25. ^ "Makedonska Večer: Zbog takvih kao što je Ademi idemo na Euro" [Macedonian Evening: Because of players like Ademi, we're going to the Euros.] (in Croatian). Index.hr. 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  26. ^ "Боби Николов: Да ви кажам каков лав е Аријан Адеми!" [Bobi Nikolov: Let me tell you what a lion Arijan Ademi is!] (in Macedonian). Sportmedia.mk. 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  27. ^ Tolić, Josip (31 March 2021). "Ademi je asistirao za senzaciju: Čudesni Makedonci srušili 'elf'!" [Ademi provided an assist for the sensation: The miraculous Macedonians defeated the 'Elf'!] (in Croatian). 24sata. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  28. ^ Kižlin, Slaven (1 April 2021). "Ademi & Co izazvali potres, slavni trener pred otkazom, Nijemci našli nasljednika!? 'Nemam riječ za ovo'" [Ademi & Co caused an upset, famous coach on the verge of being sacked, Germans have found a successor!? 'I have no words for this'] (in hr-hr). Sportske novosti. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  29. ^ "Ademi retires from national team". MacedonianFootball.com. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  30. ^ Vrdoljak, Juraj (2021-04-08). "General Ademi" (in Croatian). Telesport. Archived 9 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
  31. ^ Tratnik, Damjan (25 July 2012). "Heerenveen ali Dinamo?" (in Slovene). Nogomania.com. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  32. ^ Ćosić, Morana (2020-04-30). "Arijan Ademi postao otac: Po sina i curu došao pred rodilište" [Arijan Ademi became a father: He came to the maternity ward for his son and daughter.] (in Croatian). 24sata. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  33. ^ "Sretne vijesti u Dinamovoj obitelji: Kapetan plavih postao je otac!" [Happy news in Dinamo’s family: The captain of the Blues has become a father!] (in Croatian). Večernji list. 2022-09-29. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  34. ^ "Arijan Ademi". GNK Dinamo. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  35. ^ "Croatian Football Cup Seasons". Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  36. ^ "Arijan Ademi stats". European Football. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  37. ^ Galić, Mato (2021-05-23). "Najbolja momčad HNL-a: Trojica iz Osijeka, jedan iz Hajduka..." (in Croatian). 24sata. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  38. ^ "Navijači izabrali najboljeg igrača drugog dijela sezone" (in hr-HR). GNK Dinamo. 2022-05-19. Retrieved 2025-06-30.