{{short description|Albanian football manager and player (born 1989)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Ditmar Bicaj | image = Ditmar Bicaj - Albania U-21 (1).jpg | caption = Bicaj starting for Albania U21 in 2009 | image_size = 200px | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1989|2|26}} | birth_place = Tirana, Albania | height = 1.93 m | position = Defender | currentclub = | youthyears1 = 2000–2006 | youthclubs1 = Dinamo Tirana | years1 = 2006–2008 | clubs1 = Dinamo Tirana | caps1 = 2 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2008–2009 | clubs2 = Belasitsa | caps2 = 20 | goals2 = 1 | years3 = 2009–2010 | clubs3 = Tirana | caps3 = 14 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2010–2014 | clubs4 = Skënderbeu | caps4 = 92 | goals4 = 6 | years5 = 2014–2015 | clubs5 = Tractor Sazi | caps5 = 10 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2015–2016 | clubs6 = Partizani Tirana | caps6 = 23 | goals6 = 1 | years7 = 2016–2017 | clubs7 = Vllaznia | caps7 = 29 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2017–2018 | clubs8 = Flamurtari | caps8 = 25 | goals8 = 3 | years9 = 2018–2019 | clubs9 = Teuta | caps9 = 26 | goals9 = 3 | years10 = 2019–2020 | clubs10 = Bylis | caps10 = 16 | goals10 = 0 | years11 = 2020–2021 | clubs11 = Skënderbeu | caps11 = 10 | goals11 = 0 | years12 = 2021–2023 | clubs12 = Flamurtari | caps12 = 79 | goals12 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2005–2006 | nationalteam1 = Albania U17 | nationalcaps1 = 8 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2008–2009 | nationalteam2 = Albania U20 | nationalcaps2 = 1 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2007–2010 | nationalteam3 = Albania U21 | nationalcaps3 = 3 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2010–2011 | nationalteam4 = Albania | nationalgoals4 = 0 | nationalcaps4 = 1 | manageryears1 = 2024–2025 | managerclubs1 = Burreli | manageryears2 = 2025 | managerclubs2 = Lushnja }}
'''Ditmar Bicaj''' (born 26 February 1989) is an Albanian professional football manager and former player who is the head coach.
He started his career at Dinamo Tirana, before representing Tirana, Skënderbeu and Kukësi in Albania, as well as Belasitsa and Tractor Sazi in Bulgaria and Iran respectively.
==Club career== ===Early career=== Bicaj started his career in with his home town club, Dinamo Tirana at a very young age. After some impressive displays in the Albanian Superliga he attracted the attention of foreign clubs, one of those clubs was Belasitsa Petrich in Bulgaria. Bicaj signed a three-year deal with the Bulgarian club in the summer of 2008. The contract should have kept the Albanian at the Tsar Samuil Stadium until 2011. After the club was relegated he moved back to Albania at the champions of the country KF Tirana.
===Skënderbeu Korçë=== In July 2010, Bicaj signed for Skënderbeu Korçë. He went on to play for four seasons, winning four national championships.
===Tractor Sazi=== On 14 July 2014, Bicaj joined with Iranian team Tractor Sazi, signing a contract until 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/bicaj-braktis-kukesin-dhe-firmos-ne-iran/|title=Bicaj braktis Kukësin dhe firmos në Iran|trans-title=Bicaj abandon Kukësi and signs in Iran|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|author=Llazi Saro|date=15 July 2014|accessdate=5 August 2018}}</ref>
===Partizani Tirana=== On 9 June 2015, Bicaj returned in Albania and joined Partizani Tirana on a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.supersport.al/tjeter-goditje-e-partizanit-firmos-me-ditmar-bicajn/|title=Tjetër goditje e Partizanit, firmos me Ditmar Bicajn|trans-title=Another strike of Partizani, signs with Ditmar Bicaj|publisher=Super Sport Albania|language=Albanian|author=Andi Deçka|date=9 June 2015|accessdate=2 August 2016|archive-date=10 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910191757/http://www.supersport.al/tjeter-goditje-e-partizanit-firmos-me-ditmar-bicajn/|url-status=dead}}</ref> During his presentation, he said that Partizani was the right choice, adding that he would give his best to reach the club's goals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/firmos-ditmar-bicaj-partizani-zgjedha-e-duhur-shpresoj-te-jem-kembe-mbare/|title=Firmos Ditmar Bicaj: Partizani zgjedhja e duhur, shpresoj të jem këmbë mbarë!|trans-title=Ditmar Bicaj signs: Partizani the right choice, i hope i start well!|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=11 June 2015|accessdate=6 June 2017}}</ref>
===Vllaznia Shkodër=== On 1 August 2016, Bicaj completed a move to Vllaznia Shkodër by signing a one-year deal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/merkato-vllaznia-ben-goditjen-e-merkatos-firmos-me-ditmar-bicajn/|title=Vllaznia bën goditjen e merkatos, firmos me Ditmar Bicajn|trans-title=Vllaznia makes the transfer market's hit, signs with Ditmar Bicaj|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=1 August 2016|accessdate=2 August 2016}}</ref>
===Flamurtari Vlorë=== On 6 June 2017, Bicaj joined fellow Albanian Superliga side Flamurtari Vlorë by signing a contract until 2017–18 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/zyrtare-flamurtari-ben-perforcimin-e-pare-firmos-mbrojtesi-ditmar-bicaj/|title=Zyrtare / Flamurtari bën përforcimin e parë, firmos mbrojtësi Ditmar Bicaj|trans-title=Official / Flamurtari makes the first reinforcement, the defender Ditmar Bicaj signs|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=6 June 2017|accessdate=6 June 2017}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the team on 22 October in the matchday 7 of Albanian Superliga, a late header against Kamza at home which brought Flamurtari to winning ways after three consecutive draws.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/mjafton-nje-gol-i-bicajt-flamurtari-mposht-kamzen-dhe-mban-vendin-e-trete/|title=Mjafton një gol i Bicajt, Flamurtari mposht Kamzën dhe mban vendin e tretë|trans-title=Bicaj's goal is enough, Flamurtari defeats Kamza and keeps the third place|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=22 October 2017|accessdate=22 October 2017}}</ref> He was on the score-sheet again on 16 November, netting against his old team Skënderbeu Korçë in a 1–1 home win which ended the latter winning streak of 7 consecutive victories.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://supersport.al/nuk-ka-fitues-ne-vlore-shenojne-2-ish-flamurtari-dhe-skenderbeu-ndajne-nga-nje-pike/|title=S'ka fitues në Vlorë, shënojnë 2-ish, Skënderbeu ruan pathyeshmërinë|trans-title=There is no winner in Vlorë, 2 ex's scores, Skënderbeu remain undefeated|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=Albanian|author=Sotir Kora|date=16 November 2017|accessdate=16 November 2017}}</ref> He didn't celebrate as a sign of respect, which initially created confusion among his teammates.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/bicaj-arbitrat-i-kemi-cdo-ndeshje-kunder-shoket-nuk-po-e-kuptonin-pse-nuk-festoja-golin/|title=Bicaj: Arbitrat i kemi çdo ndeshje kundër, shokët nuk po e kuptonin pse nuk festoja golin|trans-title=Bicaj: The referees are against us every match, teammates didn't understand why I wasn't celebrating the goal|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=16 November 2017|accessdate=16 November 2017}}</ref> He finished the season with 25 league appearances, scoring 3 goals, his highest tally since 2012–13 season, as the team ended up in 6th place.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/renditja-skenderbeu-kampion-vllaznia-e-lushnja-ne-gremine-shikoni-tabelen-perfundimtare/|title=RENDITJA/ Skënderbeu kampion, Vllaznia e Lushnja në "greminë". Shikoni tabelën përfundimtare|trans-title=RANKING/ Skënderbeu champion, Vllaznia and Lushnja in "abyss". See the eventual table|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=23 May 2018|accessdate=24 May 2018}}</ref> On 31 May 2018, Bicaj confirmed that he will not be playing for Flamurtari in the next season, instead opting for a move outside Albania.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/bicaj-drejt-azerbajxhanit-shpall-divorcin-me-flamurtarin/|title=Bicaj drejt Azerbajxhanit, shpall "divorcin" me Flamurtarin|trans-title=Bicaj towards Azerbaijan, announces "divorce" with Flamurtari|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=1 June 2018|accessdate=1 June 2018}}</ref>
===Teuta Durrës=== On 30 July 2018, Teuta Durrës announced to have signed Bicaj on a one-year contract, reuniting him with his former teammate Bledi Shkëmbi, now as team manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://telesport.al/bicaj-vendos-te-ardhmen-teuta-konfirmon-marreveshjen-me-mbrojtesin/|title=Bicaj vendos të ardhmen, Teuta konfirmon marrëveshjen me mbrojtësin|trans-title=Bicaj decides for the future, Teuta confirms the deal with the defender|publisher=Telesport.al|language=Albanian|author=Alfred Lleshi|date=30 July 2018|accessdate=5 August 2018}}</ref>
==International career== He made his senior debut on 2 June 2010 in Albania's 1–0 win over Andorra at Qemal Stafa Stadium, where Bicaj entered as a substitute in the last moments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2010/06/02/world/friendlies/albania/andorra/930108/|title=Albania vs. Andorra 1 – 0|publisher=Soccerway|date=2 June 2010|accessdate=2 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegrafi.com/shqiperia-mposht-andorren/|title=Shqipëria mposht Andorrën|trans-title=Albania defeats Andorra|publisher=Telegraf.com|language=Albanian|date=2 June 2010|accessdate=2 August 2016}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|13 May 2018}}<ref name="Soccerway">{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/ditmar-bici/101722/|title=Albania – D. Bicaj – Profile with news, career statistics and history|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=6 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=player&id=101722|title=Stats and profile|publisher=Scoresway|accessdate=6 June 2017}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Club statistics |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|Dinamo Tirana |2006–07 |rowspan="2"|Albanian Superliga |1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- |2007–08 |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !1!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!1!!0 |- |rowspan="1"|Belasitsa Petrich |2008–09 |rowspan="1"|A Group |20||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||20||1 |- |rowspan="3"|Tirana |2009–10 |rowspan="2"|Albanian Superliga |14||0||3||0||0<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UEL">All appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League</ref>||0||0<ref group="lower-alpha" name="ALB">Appearance in Albanian Supercup</ref>||0||17||0 |- |2007–08 |colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UEL"/>||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !14!!0!!3!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!18!!0 |- |rowspan="5"|Skënderbeu Korçë |2010–11 |rowspan="4"|Albanian Superliga |23||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||26||0 |- |2011–12 |19||0||8||0||2<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UCL">All appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League</ref>||0||1<ref group="lower-alpha" name="ALB"/>||0||30||0 |- |2012–13 |24||5||7||1||2<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UCL"/>||0||1<ref group="lower-alpha" name="ALB"/>||0||34||6 |- |2013–14 |27||1||7||0||2<ref group="lower-alpha">Zero appearances in UEFA Champions League, two in UEFA Europa League</ref>||0||1<ref group="lower-alpha" name="ALB"/>||0||37||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !93!!6!!25!!1!!6!!0!!3!!0!!127!!7 |- |rowspan="1"|Kukësi<ref group="lower-alpha">Bicaj joined Kukesi only for the team's UEFA Europa League campaign</ref> |2014–15 |rowspan="1"|Albanian Superliga |colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UEL"/>||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- |rowspan="1"|Tractor Sazi |2014–15 |rowspan="1"|Persian Gulf Pro League |10||1||0||0||0<ref group="lower-alpha">All appearance(s) in AFC Champions League</ref>||0||colspan="2"|—||10||1 |- |rowspan="1"|Partizani Tirana |2015–16 |rowspan="1"|Albanian Superliga |23||1||1||0||2<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UEL"/>||0||colspan="2"|—||26||1 |- |rowspan="1"|Vllaznia Shkodër |2016–17 |rowspan="1"|Albanian Superliga |29||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||33||0 |- |rowspan="1"|Flamurtari Vlorë |2017–18 |rowspan="1"|Albanian Superliga |25||3||5||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||30||3 |- |rowspan="1"|Teuta Durrës |2018–19 |rowspan="1"|Albanian Superliga |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !215!!12!!38!!1!!11!!0!!3!!0!!277!!13 |} {{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
===International=== {{updated|match played 2 June 2010}}<ref name="NFT">{{NFT player |id=38587|name=Bicaj, Ditmar |accessdate=6 June 2017}}</ref>
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=1|Albania |2010||1||0 |- !colspan=2|Total!!1!!0 |}
==Honours== ;Dinamo Tirana<ref name="Soccerway"/> * Albanian Superliga: 2007–08
;Skënderbeu Korçë<ref name="Soccerway"/> * Albanian Superliga: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14 * Albanian Supercup: 2013
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{FSHF player|213745}} *{{UEFA player|105541}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bicaj, Ditmar}} Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Tirana Category:Albanian men's footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Albania men's youth international footballers Category:Albania men's under-21 international footballers Category:Albania men's international footballers Category:FC Dinamo City players Category:OFC Belasitsa Petrich players Category:KF Tirana players Category:KF Skënderbeu players Category:Tractor S.C. players Category:FK Partizani Tirana players Category:KF Vllaznia players Category:Flamurtari FC players Category:KF Teuta players Category:KF Bylis players Category:Kategoria Superiore players Category:First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players Category:Persian Gulf Pro League players Category:Albanian expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Bulgaria Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Iran Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Bulgaria Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Iran Category:21st-century Albanian sportsmen