{{short description|Albanian footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Ervin Bulku | image = Ervin Bulku Tirana.jpg | caption = Ervin Bulku with KF Tirana against KF Elbasani in October 2005 | full_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|3|3|df=y}} | birth_place = Tirana, PSR Albania | position = Defensive midfielder, right-back | height = 1.83 m | currentclub = Albania (assistant) | youthyears1 = 1998 | youthclubs1 = Tirana | years1 = 1998–2007 | clubs1 = Tirana | caps1 = 201 | goals1 = 14 | years2 = 2007–2010 | clubs2 = Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih | caps2 = 58 | goals2 = 2 | years3 = 2010–2011 | clubs3 = Hajduk Split | caps3 = 15 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2011–2012 | clubs4 = AZAL Baku | caps4 = 22 | goals4 = 3 | years5 = 2012–2014 | clubs5 = Sepahan | caps5 = 47 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2014–2016 | clubs6 = Tirana | caps6 = 32 | goals6 = 1 | totalcaps = 375 | totalgoals = 21 | nationalyears1 = 1998–1999 | nationalteam1 = Albania U18 | nationalcaps1 = 6 | nationalgoals1 = 1 | nationalyears2 = 1999–2002 | nationalteam2 = Albania U21 | nationalcaps2 = 15 | nationalgoals2 = 1 | nationalyears3 = 2002–2015 | nationalteam3 = Albania | nationalcaps3 = 56 | nationalgoals3 = 1 | manageryears1 = 2015–2019 | managerclubs1 = Albania (assistant) | manageryears2 = 2019 | managerclubs2 = Albania (caretaker) | manageryears3 = 2019–2021 | managerclubs3 = Shkëndija Tiranë U19 | manageryears4 = 2021–2023 | managerclubs4 = Albania U17 | medaltemplates = | manageryears5 = 2024– | managerclubs5 = Albania (assistant) }}
'''Ervin Bulku''' ({{IPA|sq|ɛɾvin bulku|-}}, born 3 March 1981) is an Albanian former professional footballer. He is currently assistant coach for Albania.
He was a utility player and played in many positions such as central midfielder, defensive midfielder, right midfielder and even right-back for the Albania national team between 2002 and 2015 and at the club level with Tirana where he started and ended his career after playing for various club abroad such as Kryvbas in Ukraine, Hajduk Split in Croatia, AZAL Baku in Azerbaijan and Sepahan in Iran.
==Club career==
===KF Tirana=== Bulku started his career as a youngster in the KF Tirana youth teams. At the age of 18 he was put into the first team by coach Sulejman Mema and was given a chance to compete with the likes of Sokol Prenga and Ardian Mema for a spot there. In his first season with the club in professional football he managed to feature in 13 games during the season.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} During the 1999–2000 season with Tirana, Bulku found it easier to make an impact in the first team with the club's new manager Shkëlqim Muça having faith in the promising youngster after fellow midfielders Eldorado Merkoçi, Devis Mukaj, Klodian Duro and Sokol Prenga all leaving the club. These departures meant that Bulku would feature more frequently in the first team and he did so making an impressive 21 appearances in his second season in which he won his first trophy of his career, the Albanian Superliga title.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} After a very good season he tried to repeat it for the 2000–2001 season, but this did not happen as both injury and some mediocre displays meant that Bulku spent most of the season on the side lines. He did however manage to win the Albanian Supercup at the start of the season but his side Tirana narrowly lost the race for the title to Vllaznia Shkodër.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} During the next few seasons of his career Bulku managed to make a name for himself in the squad and in the league, he was receiving a lot of attention from the media and the fans because he was destined for a successful career. He began to feature in almost every game when fit and became a key member in the squad and a key figure in all the trophy winning sides that the club produced over the next few years. In the 2001–02 season he was a regular member of the team in the 2001–02 Albanian Cup scoring two goals throughout the route to the final where Tirana won the trophy beating Dinamo Tirana 1–0.<ref name="Albania 01-02" /> Bulku was also a key player in Tirana's European games and featured against teams such as Dinamo Tbilisi, Ferencváros, CSKA Sofia and Kayserispor.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} He also played in 6 Albanian Supercup finals during his time with Tirana, winning 5 of them, including the famous 6–0 win over city rivals Dinamo Tirana in which Bulku managed to score in.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} In his final season with Tirana, Bulku was once again a key member in the team that won the league, the cup and the supercup. He played 30 games and scored one goal in the league,{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} played in the 2–0 supercup win over KS Elbasani{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} and he also played in 1–0 win over Vllaznia in the final of the Albanian Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/albacup06.html |title=Albanian Cup 2006 |publisher=Rsssf.com |date=25 August 2006 |access-date=16 December 2011}}</ref>
===Kryvbas=== In the 2007 Summer transfer window, Bulku signed with Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih in the Ukrainian Premier League. He played among fellow Albanian internationals Dorian Bylykbashi, Isli Hidi and also Ansi Agolli who eventually joined the club two years later. He made his debut on 28 July 2007 in the matchday 3 against Karpaty Lviv playing the full 90-minutes in a 3–0 loss. During the 2007–08 route he was often as a starter under coach Oleh Taran forming partnerships in the midfield with fellow Albanian Dorian Bylykbashi, Ruslan Kostyshyn and Anatoliy Oprya. He made 14 league appearances in the starting line up and 5 as a substitute to help his side to collect 30 points enough to end in the 13th place to avoid the relegation.<ref name="Ervin Bulku Soccerway" />
In his second season 2008–09 under same coach Taran, Bulku was more often in the starting line up. He started the season on 19 July 2008, playing full 90-minutes against Metalurh Zaporizhya and provided the assist for the 1–0 winning goal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2008/07/19/ukraine/premier-league/fc-kryvbas-kryvyi-rih/fc-metalurh-zaporizhya/640777/|title=Kryvbas vs. Metalurh Zaporizhya - 19 July 2008|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref> Bulku scored his first goal for Kryvbas on 22 March 2009 in the matchday 21 against Kharkiv, giving his team the 0–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2009/03/22/ukraine/premier-league/fc-kharkiv/fc-kryvbas-kryvyi-rih/738463/|title=Kharkiv vs. Kryvbas - 22 March 2009|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref> This was followed by another one in the next game week as Bulku scored the opening goal in the 7th minute against Zorya Luhansk on 4 April 2009 as the match eventually finished in the 2–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2009/04/04/ukraine/premier-league/fc-kryvbas-kryvyi-rih/fc-zorya-luhansk/738473/|title=Kryvbas vs. Zorya - 4 April 2009|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref> Bulku finished the 2008–09 season with a total of 25 appearances, where he was 21 times as a starter as Kryvbas ended up a bit better than last season collecting 32 points to secure the 12th place.<ref name="Ervin Bulku Soccerway" />
Bulku was part of the team for the first half of the 2009–10 season. He retained his starting place playing 13 out 14 games as a starter but Kryvbas suffered a worst progress taking only two wins and 1 draw and conceding 14 losses. Following the end of the first-half campaign, he interrupted his contract with Kryvbas.<ref name="Ervin Bulku Soccerway" />
===Hajduk Split=== After 6 months as a free agent, in August 2010 he signed for Croatian side Hajduk Split in the Prva HNL. He made his debut with the team on 16 September 2010 in a match valid for 2010–11 UEFA Europa League group stage against AEK Athens, where Bulku played in the starting line up and substituted off after 81 minutes for Dinko Trebotić, as the match finished in the 3–1 loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2010/09/16/europe/uefa-cup/aek-athens-fc/hnk-hajduk-split/1015432/|title=AEK Athens vs. Hajduk Split - 16 September 2010|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref> He made it his league debut on 19 September 2010 against Rijeka, where the match finished in the 0–1 away victory and Bulku played 83 minutes, as he got substituted off for Mirko Oremuš in the 83rd minute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2010/09/19/croatia/1-hnl/hnk-rijeka/hnk-hajduk-split/941173/|title=Rijeka vs. Hajduk Split - 19 September 2010|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref> He played second match in the UEFA Europa League 2010–11 group stage on 30 September 2010, in the 1–0 victory over Anderlecht.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2010/09/30/europe/uefa-cup/hnk-hajduk-split/royal-sporting-club-anderlecht/1015437/|title=Hajduk Split vs. Anderlecht - 30 September 2010|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref> Bulku played the full 90 minutes on 4 November 2010 in the 2–3 home defeat against Zenit St. Petersburg in the UEFA Europa League 2010–11 group stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2010/11/04/europe/uefa-cup/hnk-hajduk-split/fk-zenit-sankt-petersburg/1015449/|title=Hajduk Split vs. Zenit - 4 November 2010|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref> At the club he was important part of the starting line up in the league matches, as he played in total of 15 matches where 12 as a starter, where he got substituted off 6 times, and only 3 as a substitute.<ref name = "Ervin Bulku Soccerway" >{{Soccerway|ervin-bulku/36951|accessdate=23 December 2015}}</ref> In the UEFA Europa League he made in total 4 appearances. In the end of the 2010–11 season, Hajduk finished as runners-up.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/croatia/1-hnl/2010-2011/regular-season/r12073/|title=Summary - 1. HNL - Croatia - Results, fixtures, tables and news|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref>
===AZAL=== At the end of June 2011 Bulku signed with AZAL of the Azerbaijan Premier League.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marin Ljubicic goes to the Ukrainian Tavra and Ervin Bulka in Baku! |url=http://www.dalmacijanews.com/Hajduk/View/tabid/88/ID/60138/Marin-Ljubicic-odlazi-u-ukrajinsku-Tavriju-a-Ervin-Bulku-u-Baku.aspx |publisher=dalmacijanews.com |access-date=17 December 2013 |language=hr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217175357/http://www.dalmacijanews.com/Hajduk/View/tabid/88/ID/60138/Marin-Ljubicic-odlazi-u-ukrajinsku-Tavriju-a-Ervin-Bulku-u-Baku.aspx |archive-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> Bulku made his debut for AZAL on 7 August 2011 against Simurq,<ref>{{cite web|title=Simurq 0-3 AZAL|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/08/07/azerbaijan/premyer-liqa/simurq-zaqatala/olimpik-baki/1166837/|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> going on to score his first goal for the club 3 games later against Neftchi Baku on 27 August 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=AZAL 3-1 Neftchi|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/08/27/azerbaijan/premyer-liqa/olimpik-baki/fk-neftchi/1176374/|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> In total Bulku made 22 league appearances for the club scoring three goals.<ref name="2011/12 Stats">{{cite web|title=2011/12 Stats|url=http://www.pfl.az/upload/arxiv/201112/oyuncustats201112.pdf|publisher=Peşəkar Futbol Liqası|access-date=17 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017180225/http://www.pfl.az/upload/arxiv/201112/oyuncustats201112.pdf|archive-date=17 October 2013}}</ref>
===Sepahan=== On 21 July 2012, Bulku signed a one-year contract with Iranian champions Sepahan F.C., joining there another fellow Albanian player Xhevahir Sukaj, who had come in the team early on January.<ref>[http://asport.al/zyrtare-ervin-bulku-firmos-me-sepahan-in-ne-iran/ Zyrtare: Ervin Bulku firmos me Sepahan-in në Iran] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514041007/http://asport.al/zyrtare-ervin-bulku-firmos-me-sepahan-in-ne-iran/ |date=14 May 2016 }} aSport.al</ref>
He made it his debut on 29 August 2012, playing the full 90-minutes in the home victory 1–0 against Fajr Sepasi.<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/08/29/iran/premier-league/sepahan/basij-moghavemat-shahid-sepasi-fars-football-club/1325926/ Sepahan vs. Fajr Sepasi - 29 August 2012] Soccerway</ref> Bulku scored his first goal for Sepahan on 6 April 2013 against Naft Tehran winning the match within the 3–1 result, were his goal was the opening of the match, scored in the 12th minute, also Bulku was sent off in the 41st minute after receiving his second yellow card as the first was received in the 12th minute for taking his shirt off after scored the goal.<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/04/06/iran/premier-league/sepahan/naft-tehran/1326142/ Sepahan vs. Naft Tehran - 6 April 2013] Soccerway</ref> In his first season with Sepahan, he made twenty-one league appearances, scoring once. He also appeared five AFC Champions League matches.
In his second season with Sepahan, he made twenty six league appearances, failing to score. He did score once in the AFC Champions League, but Sepahan failed to get out of the group stage phase. In the 2012–13 Hazfi Cup Bulku scored once in the 1/4-finals on 9 January 2013 against Sanat Naft to open the way towards qualifying for the semifinals as the match finished in the 2–0 victory.<ref>[http://www.sportishqiptar.com.al/newsite/2013/01/10/ervin-bulku-shenon-ne-kupe-per-sepahanin/ Ervin Bulku shënon në kupë për Sepahanin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116052745/http://www.sportishqiptar.com.al/newsite/2013/01/10/ervin-bulku-shenon-ne-kupe-per-sepahanin/ |date=16 January 2013 }} Sporti Shqiptar</ref>
In May 2014, Bulku declared that he left the club after the end of the 2-year contract.<ref>[http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/bulku-tirana-mbetet-zgjedhja-ime-e-pare-ne-shqiperi-do-te-vendos-me-1-korrik/ Ervin Bulku: Tirana mbetet zgjedhja ime e parë në Shqipëri. Do të vendos më 1 korrik] Panorama Sport</ref>
===Return to Tirana=== On 5 June 2014, Tirana announced to have acquired Bulku as a free agent, with the veteran marking his return to the club after seven years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/binden-karabeci-dhe-bulku-gati-firma-me-bardheblute/|title=Binden Karabeci dhe Bulku, gati firma me bardheblutë|trans-title=Karabeci and Bulku convinced, the signature with the whiteblues ready|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=5 June 2014|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref> Nine days later, the transfer was made official and Bulku signed a two-year contract.<ref name="Tirana">{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/vijne-firmat-e-para-te-bardheblute-rinovojne-morina-e-karabeci-firmos-edhe-e-bulku/|title=Vijnë firmat e para te bardheblutë, rinovojnë Morina e Karabeci, firmos edhe Ervin Bulku|trans-title=The first signatures at whiteblues arrives, Morina and Karabeci renew, Ervin Bulku signs as well|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=15 June 2014|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref> However, he joined the team managed by Gugash Magani on 1 July when the summer transfer window officially begun.<ref name="Tirana"/> In August, team captain Erando Karabeci handed his captaincy to Bulku as a sign of respect of the veteran, and became the vice-captain instead.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/frasheri-rrefehet-si-bardheblu-spesoj-asnje-gol-ne-10-ndeshje-synoj-kombetaren/|title=Tirana ndryshon kapiten. Karabeci ia dorëzon shiritin Bulkut në shenjë respekti|trans-title=Tirana changes captain. Karabeci gives the armband to Bulku as a sign of respect|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|author=Leonard karaj|date=5 August 2014|access-date=5 August 2014}}</ref>
Bulku made his first appearance of the season on 24 August, playing full-90 minutes in the opening championship match against Apolonia Fier, which ended in a 3–0 win at Qemal Stafa Stadium.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama-sport.com/fluturon-tirana-gola-e-spektakel-ndaj-apolonise-magani-sduhet-te-shperdoronim/|author=Adela Merko|title="Fluturon" Tirana, gola dhe spektakël ndaj Apolonisë. Magani: S'duhet të shpërdoronim|trans-title=Tirana "flies", goals and show against on Apolonia. Magani: We shouldn't have wasted|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=25 August 2014|access-date=25 August 2014}}</ref> He scored his first goal of the season on day three, netting a last-minute equalizer in a 1–1 away draw against Vllaznia Shkodër which was infamously marred by crowd trouble which saw 13 people arrested and both clubs' fans receiving lengthy stadium bans.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/09/11/albania/super-league/ks-vllaznia-shkoder/kf-tirana/1701433/|title=Vllaznia Shkodër vs. Tirana 1 – 1|publisher=Soccerway|date=11 September 2014|access-date=24 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://gazeta-shqip.com/lajme/2014/09/11/dhune-mes-tifozeve-ne-ndeshjen-vllaznia-tirana-disa-te-plagosur-goditet-ne-koke-refik-halili/|title=Dhunë në Vllaznia-Tirana, 4 policë e 6 tifozë të plagosur, goditet në kokë Refik Halili|trans-title=Violence in Vllaznia-Tirana, 4 cops and 6 fans wounded, Refik Halili is hit in the head|publisher=Gazeta Shqip|language=sq|date=11 September 2014|access-date=24 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.oranews.tv/fotogaleri/vllaznia-tirana-tifozet-bardhe-e-blu-gjuajne-me-gure-shkodranet/|title=Vllaznia-Tirana, ndeshja përfundon në dhunë, goditet edhe presidenti Refik Halili|trans-title=Vllaznia-Tirana, the match ends on violence, even the president Refik Halili is hit|publisher=Ora News|language=sq|date=11 September 2014|access-date=24 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929053058/http://www.oranews.tv/fotogaleri/vllaznia-tirana-tifozet-bardhe-e-blu-gjuajne-me-gure-shkodranet/|archive-date=29 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
He concluded his first season back in Albania by making 32 appearances between league and cup, also scoring once.<ref name="Scoresway">{{cite news|url=http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=person&id=36951|title=Ervin Bulku|publisher=Scoresway|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref> Bulku played as a starter in Tirana's first three matches of 2015–16 season, but was injured and subsequently lost his place in the starting lineup, finishing his second season with only four league appearances.<ref name="Scoresway"/>
==International career==
=== Albania U18 === Bulku made it his first international debut, with Albania national under-18 football team in the 1999 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying, playing in the opening match on 24 November 1998 against Liechtenstein, match finished as a 0–1 loss.<ref name="Bulku UEFA" />
=== Albania U21 === Bulku played for Albania national under-21 football team 15 matches and scored 1 goal in the 2000 & 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification between years from 1999 to 2002.<ref name="Bulku UEFA" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under21/history/season=2002/round=1470/group=1231.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141209142727/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under21/history/season=2002/round=1470/group=1231.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 December 2014|title=UEFA European U-21 C'ship|publisher=UEFA|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref>
===Albania senior team=== [[File:ErvinBulkuu.jpg|thumbnail|right|Bulku with the Albania national team in 2013.]] Bulku was part of Albania national football team since 2002 when he made his debut under coach Sulejman Demollari on 17 April 2002 against Andorra, coming on as a substitute in place of Altin Rraklli in the 54th minute in a 2–0 loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=25817|title=Andorra football team defeated Albania 2:0, 17 April 2002|publisher=EU-Football.info|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> He made another 2 appearances in the same year.
====UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying==== He wasn't included in national team until 2006 when he was called up by coach Otto Barić for the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying match against Netherlands on 11 October.
His next appearance for Albania came in 2007 playing on 7 February in a friendly against Macedonia, finished in the loss 0–1.
====2010 FIFA World Cup qualification==== {{empty section|date=August 2017}}
==== UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying ==== He scored first goal on 9 February 2011 in the friendly match against Slovenia finished in the loss 1–2, where Bulku scored the equalising goal for 1–1 in the 62nd minute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/02/09/world/friendlies/albania/slovenia/1063256/|title=Albania vs. Slovenia - 9 February 2011|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref>
====2014 FIFA World Cup qualification==== Bulku retained his starting place for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers under coach Gianni De Biasi playing 9 out 10 matches as a starter. In the 2012s matches he formed a duo defensive-midfielders partnership with Burim Kukeli playing all 4 matches as the full 90-minutes with Albania taking 2 wins and 2 losses. Then he played two full 90-minutes matches against Norway away on 22 March 2013 and home on 7 June 2013 with a new partner Migjen Basha and provided 1 assist in both cases for Hamdi Salihi's goal away which was decisive for Albania taking the 0–1 glorious victory and for Valdet Rama's goal in home in the 1–1 draw. In remaining matches Bulku played one full 90-minutes match, 2 as a starter until second half and 1 as a substitute against Iceland as coach De Biasi played with Basha and new Ergys Kaçe as a starter and Bulku replaced Basha in the 64th minute with Albania 2–1 behind but unable to change the score.<ref name = "Ervin Bulku Soccerway" /> For his performances during the qualifiers, Bulku among Mërgim Mavraj were rated as impenetrable and very actives on the field.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sportishqiptar.com.al/newsite/2013/06/08/rama-i-frikshem-mavraj-dhe-bulku-te-pakalueshem/|title=Rama i frikshëm, Mavraj dhe Bulku të pakalueshëm|trans-title=Rama terrific, Mavraj and Bulku are beyond reproach|publisher=Sporti Shqiptar|language=sq|date=8 June 2013|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729052716/http://www.sportishqiptar.com.al/newsite/2013/06/08/rama-i-frikshem-mavraj-dhe-bulku-te-pakalueshem/|archive-date=29 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
====Euro 2016 qualifiers==== During the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying under same coach De Biasi, Bulku was regularly called up into the national side, except for the two closing matches in October 2015 but however he participated in just one match vs Armenia on 29 March 2015, this due to upcomings of fellow defensive midfielders from Switzerland national under-21 football team such as Taulant Xhaka, Amir Abrashi, Migjen Basha and also the presence of experienced and younger players Burim Kukeli, Ledian Memushaj and Ergys Kaçe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/teams/2--albania/|title=UEFA EURO 2016 - Teams - Albania|publisher=UEFA|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Ervin Bulku Soccerway" />
==Managerial career== In November 2015 Bulku was appointed as assistant manager of Gianni De Biasi at the Albania national football team becoming the third one after Paolo Tramezzani and Erjon Bogdani. He debuted in his assistant manager role on 17 November 2015 against Georgia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/erion-bogdani-ne-tribune-ervin-bulku-ne-stol/|title=Erion Bogdani në tribunë, Ervin Bulku në stol|trans-title=Erion Bogdani on the rostrum, Ervin Bulku on the bench|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=17 November 2015|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> He participated with Albania in their first major competition the UEFA Euro 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/fotogaleri-de-biazi-eshte-gati-per-europianin/|title=(Fotogaleri) De Biazi është gati për pjesëmarrjen në Europian|trans-title=(Photo Gallery) De Biasi is ready for European participation|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=6 June 2016|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="FSHF coach">{{cite web |url=https://fshf.org/garat/?query=info&coach_id=329912 |title=Ervin Bulku coach profile |publisher=Albanian Football Federation |access-date=30 May 2026}}</ref>
On 23 March 2019, following the sacking of Albania national team head coach Christian Panucci after the 2–0 home defeat to Turkey in the opening day of UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying campaign,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://fshf.org/sq/fshf-nderpret-bashkepunimin-me-trajnerin-panucci/|title=FSHF ndërpret bashkëpunimin me trajnerin Panucci|trans-title=AFA ends cooperation with manager Panucci|publisher=FSHF.org|language=sq|date=23 March 2019|access-date=26 March 2019}}</ref> Bulku was announced as the caretaker manager with Sulejman Mema as his assistant for the second match against Andorra two days later.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://shekulli.com.al/ervin-bulku-trajneri-i-kombetares-ne-ndeshjen-me-andorren/|title=Ervin Bulku trajneri i Kombëtares në ndeshjen me Andorrën|trans-title=Ervin Bulku coach of national team for the match with Andorra|publisher=Shekulli.com.al|language=sq|date=24 March 2019|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://insporti.com/bulku-flet-si-trajner-i-kombetares-shqiptare-thumbon-panuccin/|title=Bulku flet si trajner i kombëtares shqiptare, "thumbon" Panuccin|trans-title=Bulku speaks as the national team coach, "stings" Panucci|publisher=Insporti.com|language=sq|date=24 March 2019|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref> In the match played at Estadi Nacional, Albania won comfortably 3–0; two of the goals were scored by Bekim Balaj and Amir Abrashi, who were brought on by Bulku as substitutions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportekspres.com/tre-gola-per-tre-pike-shqiperia-shkaterron-andorren-video/|title=Tre gola për tre pikë, Shqipëria shkatërron Andorrën (VIDEO)|trans-title=Three goals for three points, Albania destroys Andorra (Video)|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=sq|date=25 March 2019|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.supersport.al/shqiperia-gjen-sulmuesit-fitoren-dhe-qetesine/|title=Shqipëria gjen sulmuesit, fitoren dhe qetësinë!|trans-title=Albania finds the strikers, win and the silence!|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=sq|author=Sotir Kora|date=25 March 2019|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
===Club=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name = "Ervin Bulku Soccerway" /><ref name="Bulku UEFA" >{{UEFA|45398}}</ref><ref name="Bulku NFT" >{{NFT|16416|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ervin Bulku profile|url=http://www.fshf.org/garat/components/lojtar.php?player_id=226883|publisher=FSHF|access-date=22 November 2017|language=sq|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201052036/http://www.fshf.org/garat/components/lojtar.php?player_id=226883|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental{{efn|Includes UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and Asian Champions League.}} !colspan="2"|Other{{efn|Includes Albanian Supercup.}} !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="10"|Tirana |1998–99 |rowspan="9"|Albanian Superliga |13||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||0 |- |1999–00 |21||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0||colspan="2"|—||23||0 |- |2000–01 |12||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||0 |- |2001–02 |22||2||3<ref name="Albania 01-02">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/alba02.html|title=Albania 2001/02|publisher=Rsssf|access-date=27 December 2017}}</ref>||2<ref name="Albania 01-02" />||2||0||colspan="2"|—||27||3 |- |2002–03 |22||1||1||1||2||0||1<ref name="Albania 01-02" />||1<ref name="Albania 01-02" />||26||3 |- |2003–04 |24||2|| || ||2||0||colspan="2"|—||26||2 |- |2004–05 |33||7||1||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||38||7 |- |2005–06 |24||1||1||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||29||1 |- |2006–07 |30||1||1||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||36||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !201!!14!!8!!3!!20!!0!!1!!1!!230!!18 |- |rowspan="4"|Kryvbas |2007–08 |rowspan="3"|Ukrainian Premier League |19||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||19||0 |- |2008–09 |25||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||25||2 |- |2009–10 |14||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !58!!2!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!58!!2 |- |Hajduk Split |2010–11 |Prva HNL |15||0||colspan="2"|—||4||0||colspan="2"|—||19||0 |- |AZAL |2011–12<ref name="2011/12 Stats"/>||Azerbaijan Premier League ||22||3||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||24||3 |- |rowspan="4"|Sepahan |2011–12 |rowspan="3"|Iran Pro League |colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- ||2012–13 |21||1||colspan="2"|—||3||0||colspan="2"|—||24||1 |- |2013–14 |26||0||colspan="2"|—||5||1||colspan="2"|—||31||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !47!!1!!0!!0!!10!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!57!!2 |- |rowspan="3"|Tirana |2014–15 |rowspan="2"|Albanian Superliga ||28||1||4||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||32||1 |- |2015–16 |4||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||4||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !32!!1!!4!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!36!!1 |- !colspan="3"|Total !375!!21!!14!!3!!34!!1!!1!!1!!424!!26 |} {{notelist}}
===International=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="Bulku NFT" /><ref name="EU-Football.info profile">{{cite web|url=http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=2877|title=Ervin Bulku - national football team player|publisher=EU-Football.info|access-date=22 December 2017}}</ref> |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="11"|Albania |2002||3||0 |- |2003–2006||0||0 |- |2007||7||0 |- |2008||6||0 |- |2009||7||0 |- |2010||9||0 |- |2011||7||1 |- |2012||9||0 |- |2013||7||0 |- |2014||1||0 |- |2015||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total!!56!!1 |}
:{{updated|27 September 1999}}. ''Albania U18 score listed first, score column indicates score after each Bulku's goal.''<ref name="11v11 profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/players/ervin-bulku-7650/|title=Ervin Bulku Football Player Statistics|publisher=11v11|access-date=22 December 2017}}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition |- !scope=col|No. !scope=col data-sort-type=date|Date !scope=col|Venue !scope=col|Cap !scope=col|Opponent !scope=col|Score !scope=col|Result !scope=col|Competition |- !scope=row|1 | rowspan=1| 27 September 1999 || rowspan=1| Stadium Forssa, Forssa, Finland || rowspan=1 align=center| 4 || rowspan=1| {{fbu|18|Faroe Islands}} || align=center | '''1'''–1 || rowspan="1" style="text-align:center"| 3–1 || rowspan=1| 2000 UEFA European Under-18 Championship qualifying |}
:{{updated|31 August 2001}}. ''Albania U21 score listed first, score column indicates score after each Bulku's goal.''<ref name="11v11 profile" /> {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition |- !scope=col|No. !scope=col data-sort-type=date|Date !scope=col|Venue !scope=col|Cap !scope=col|Opponent !scope=col|Score !scope=col|Result !scope=col|Competition |- !scope=row|1 | 31 August 2001 || Qemal Stafa, Tirana, Albania || align=center | 7 || {{fbu|21|Finland}} || align=center | '''3'''–0 || align=center | 3–0<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under21/history/season=2002/round=1470/match=65500/index.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141209143630/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under21/history/season=2002/round=1470/match=65500/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 December 2014|title=Albania 3-0 Finland - UEFA European U-21 C'ship|publisher=Archive UEFA.com|access-date=22 December 2017}}</ref> || 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification |}
:{{updated|9 February 2011}}. ''Albania score listed first, score column indicates score after each Bulku's goal.''<ref name="EU-Football.info profile"/> {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition |- !scope=col|No. !scope=col data-sort-type=date|Date !scope=col|Venue !scope=col|Cap !scope=col|Opponent !scope=col|Score !scope=col|Result !scope=col|Competition |- !scope=row|1 | 9 February 2011 || Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania || align=center | 33 || {{fb|Slovenia}} || align=center | '''1'''–1 || align=center | 1–2 || Friendly |}
==Honours== '''Tirana'''<ref name="NFT">{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/16416/Ervin_Bulku.html|title=Ervin Bulku|publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref> *Albanian Superliga: 1998–1999, 1999–2000, 2002–2003, 2003–2004, 2004–2005, 2006–2007 *Albanian Cup: 1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2005–06 *Albanian Supercup: 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007
'''Hajduk Split'''<ref name="NFT"/> *Prva HNL runner-up: 2010–11
'''Sepahan'''<ref name="NFT"/> *Hazfi Cup: 2012–13
==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== *{{UEFA|45398}} *{{NFT|16416}} *{{FFU|60128}} *{{Soccerway|ervin-bulku/36951}}
{{s-start}} {{s-sports}} {{succession box|title=KF Tirana captain|before=Erando Karabeci|after=Erando Karabeci|years=2014–2016}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bulku, Ervin}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Tirana Category:Albanian men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Albania men's international footballers Category:Albania men's under-21 international footballers Category:Albania men's youth international footballers Category:KF Tirana players Category:FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih players Category:HNK Hajduk Split players Category:Shuvalan FK players Category:Sepahan S.C. footballers Category:Ukrainian Premier League players Category:Croatian Football League players Category:Azerbaijan Premier League players Category:Persian Gulf Pro League players Category:Kategoria Superiore players Category:Albanian expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Ukraine Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Ukraine Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Croatia Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Croatia Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Azerbaijan Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Azerbaijan Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Iran Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Iran Category:21st-century Albanian sportsmen