{{Short description|Albanian footballer & coach (born 1980)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Julian Brahja | fullname = Julian Brahja | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1980|12|6}} | birth_place = Laç, Albania | height = 1.80 m | position = Centre-back | currentclub = Dinamo Tirana (manager) | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = 1995–1998 | youthclubs1 = Laçi | years1 = 1998–2000 | clubs1 = Laçi | caps1 = 10 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2000–2002 | clubs2 = Besëlidhja Lezhë | caps2 = 44 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2002–2003 | clubs3 = Elbasani | caps3 = 26 | goals3 = 2 | years4 = 2003–2004 | clubs4 = Teuta Durrës | caps4 = 22 | goals4 = 1 | years5 = 2004–2005 | clubs5 = Laçi | caps5 = 44 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2005–2006 | clubs6 = Elbasani | caps6 = 35 | goals6 = 3 | years7 = 2006–2007 | clubs7 = Teuta Durrës | caps7 = 2 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2007–2008 | clubs8 = Kastrioti Krujë | caps8 = 27 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2008–2009 | clubs9 = Dinamo Tirana | caps9 = 21 | goals9 = 0 | years10= 2009–2010 | clubs10= Laçi | caps10= 30 | goals10= 5 | years11= 2010–2012 | clubs11= Flamurtari Vlorë | caps11= 42 | goals11= 1 | years12= 2012–2015 | clubs12= Kukësi | caps12= 54 | goals12= 2 | years13= 2015 | clubs13= Teuta Durrës | caps13= 15 | goals13= 0 | years14= 2015–2016 | clubs14= Tërbuni Pukë | caps14= 8 | goals14= 0 | years15= 2016 | clubs15= Bylis Ballsh | caps15= 15 | goals15= 1 | years16= 2016–2017 | clubs16= Dinamo Tirana | caps16= 18 | goals16= 0 | totalcaps = 393 | totalgoals = 15 | nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = | manageryears1 = 2017– | managerclubs1 = Dinamo Tirana (''assistant'') | pcupdate = 31 May 2017 | ntupdate = }}
'''Julian Brahja''' (born 6 December 1980) is an Albanian professional football coach and former player who is the current assistant manager of Albanian First Division club Dinamo Tirana. A former defender, he started his career with his hometown club Laçi as a teenager at the age of 14, where he would turn professional in 1998. He has played for 10 clubs in Albania during his professional career since 1998.<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/players/julian-brahja/82858/ Soccerway profile]</ref>
==Club career==
===Dinamo Tirana=== On 18 June 2008, Brahja signed a one-year deal with the second-most successful team in Albania, Dinamo Tirana, for an undisclosed fee, becoming the club's third summer signing.<ref name="Brahja Dinamo">{{cite news |url=http://www.arkivalajmeve.com/Julian-Brahja-firmos-per-Dinamon.91412/ |title=Julian Brahja firmos për Dinamon |trans-title=Julian Brahja signs for Dinamo |publisher=Arkiva Lajmeve |language=Albanian |date=18 June 2008 |accessdate=9 February 2016}}</ref> He was called up for the team's European campaign in the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League.<ref name="Brahja Dinamo"/> On 15 July, in the first leg of the first qualifying round against Bosnian side Modriča, Brahja was an unused substitute in an eventual 0–2 home defeat.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/303478--dinamo-city-vs-modrica/ |title=Dinamo Tirana 0 – 2 Modriča |publisher=UEFA |date=15 July 2008 |access-date=9 February 2016}}</ref> Eight days later, in the returning leg at Bilino Polje Stadium, Brahja was again on the bench for the entire match with Dinamo who were defeated 2–1 in the last minutes.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/303492--modrica-vs-dinamo-city/ |title=Modriča 2 – 1 Dinamo Tirana |publisher=UEFA |date=23 July 2008 |access-date=9 February 2016}}</ref>
On 24 August 2008, Brahja made his league debut in the team's opening match of the 2008–09 Albanian Superliga season against Teuta Durrës, playing 90 minutes in a goalless draw at Selman Stërmasi Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.fshf.org/garat/components/match.php?match_id=141335 |title=Dinamo Tirana 0 – 0 Teuta Durrës |publisher=FSHF.org |date=24 August 2008 |accessdate=9 February 2016}}</ref> Throughout the 2008–09 season, Brahja was an important instrument for Zlatko Dalić and then Shkëlqim Muça, playing 21 out of 33 matches in an eventual third-place finish.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/alba09.html |title=Albania 2008/09 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |accessdate=9 February 2016}}</ref> Following the end of the 2008–09 season, Brahja terminated his contract with the club.
===Return to Laçi=== Following his departure from Dinamo Tirana, Brahja returned to his boyhood club Laçi for the 2009–10 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.arkivalajmeve.com/Julian-Brahja-bashkohet-me-LacinLaci-largoi-kroatet-Guerrib-dhe-Shimic-pasi-menaxheri-i-tyre-Nikolic-kerkoi-shuma-financiare-te-paperballueshme-financiare.282882/ |title=Julian Brahja bashkohet me Laçin.Laci largoi kroatët Guerrib dhe Shimiç, pasi menaxheri i tyre Nikoliç kërkoi shuma financiare të papërballueshme financiare |trans-title=Julian Brahja joins Laçi. Laçi removed croatians Guerrib and Simić, after their manager Nikolić requested irrevocable financial amount |publisher=Arkiva Shqiptare e Lajmeve |language=Albanian |date=25 July 2009 |accessdate=28 March 2016}}</ref> He made his first appearance of the season on 23 August 2009 in the team's opening league match of season away against Skënderbeu Korçë, playing full-90 minutes in a 4–3 dramatic defeat.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2009/08/23/albania/super-league/ks-skenderbeu-korce/kf-laci/827801/ |title=Skënderbeu Korçë vs. Laçi 4 – 3 |publisher=Socceray |date=23 August 2009 |accessdate=28 March 2016}}</ref> Later, on 19 September, Brahja scored his first career brace and also the first goals of the season during the 3–2 home win against Apolonia Fier, helping Laçi to get its first win of the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2009/09/19/albania/super-league/kf-laci/ks-apolonia-fier/827820/ |title=Laçi vs. Apolonia 3 – 2 |publisher=Socceray |date=19 September 2009 |accessdate=28 March 2016}}</ref> Brahja was again in the scoresheet on 19 December when he netted the winner of the match against Kastrioti Krujë, giving Laçi three important points.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2009/12/19/albania/super-league/kf-laci/ks-kastrioti-kruje/827893/ |title=Laçi vs. Kastrioti 1 – 0 |publisher=Socceray |date=19 December 2009 |accessdate=28 March 2016}}</ref>
Brahja established in the starting lineup, playing 30 league match throughout the season, all of them as a starter, and scored a high-career 5 goals. Laçi concluded the season in the 4th position, qualifying thus in the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League first qualifying round for the first time in its history.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/albania/super-league/2009-2010/regular-season/r8916/?ICID=PL_3N_01 |title=Summary – Superliga – Albania – Results, fixtures, tables and news |publisher=Soccerway |date=28 March 2016 |accessdate=28 March 2016}}</ref> Brahja remained at the club for their European campaign where Laçi was seeded to play with Belarusian side Dnepr Mogilev. In the first leg at Niko Dovana Stadium on 1 July 2010, Brahja was the captain of the team and played full-90 minutes in an eventual 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2002471--lac-vs-dnepr/ |title=Laçi 1–1 Dneper |publisher=UEFA |date=1 July 2010 |access-date=28 March 2016}}</ref> In the returning leg one week later at Spartak Stadion, Brahja captained again but was sent off after two yellow cards in the 72nd minute as Laçi were thrashed 7–1 by Dneper, who progressed to the next round with the aggregate 8–2.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2002471--lac-vs-dnepr/ |title=Dneper 7–1 Laçi |publisher=UEFA |date=8 July 2010 |access-date=28 March 2016}}</ref> Following the end of European campaign, Brahja announced his departure from the club.
===Flamurtari Vlorë=== On 14 July 2010, Brahja joined Flamurtari Vlorë on a free transfer, signing a one-year deal.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.arkivalajmeve.com/Brahja-dhe-Spaho-te-Flamurtari.1046897172/ |title=Brahja dhe Spaho te Flamurtari |trans-title=Brahja and Spaho to Flamurtari |publisher=Arkiva Shqiptar e Lajmeve |language=Albanian |date=14 July 2010 |accessdate=14 February 2016}}</ref> He made his league debut on 25 September 2010 against Teuta Durrës in the match valid for the 5th week of 2010–11 Albanian Superliga, where he played full-90 minutes in an eventual 2–1 away lose.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/01/24/albania/super-league/ks-flamurtari-vlore/ks-teuta-durres/1701599/ |title=Teuta Durrës vs. Flamurtari Vlorë 2 – 1 |publisher=Socceray |date=25 September 2010 |accessdate=14 February 2016}}</ref> He went on to play further 26 league matches until the end of the season in an eventual second-place finish.
In his second season, Brahja was not used regularly by then coach Shkëlqim Muça, playing 15 out of 26. He scored his first goal with the club on 8 April 2012 during the 2–0 defeat of Bylis Ballsh at Flamurtari Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/04/08/albania/super-league/ks-flamurtari-vlore/ks-bylis-ballsh/1212671/ |title=Flamurtari Vlorë vs. Bylis Ballsh 2 – 1 |publisher=Socceray |date=8 April 2012 |accessdate=14 February 2016}}</ref> Brahja was also important in the team's run in Albanian Cup, playing 11 matches in an eventual semi-final exit.
===Kukësi=== On 20 July 2012, Brahja completed a transfer to newly promoted Kukësi by penning a contract until June 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/prezantohet-brahja-me-bindi-garancia-financiare/ |title=Prezantohet Brahja: Më bindi garancia financiare |trans-title=Brahja presented: Financial guarantee convinced me |publisher=Panorama Sport |language=Albanian |date=20 July 2012 |accessdate=26 December 2017}}</ref>
===Teuta Durrës=== On 5 January 2015, Teuta Durrës president Edmond Hasanbelliu confirmed that Brahja had signed with the club until the end of 2014–15 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.panorama-sport.com/zyrtare-brahja-dhe-kuli-te-teuta-e-konfirmon-presidenti-hasanbelliu/ |title=Zyrtare, Brahja dhe Kuli te Teuta, e konfirmon presidenti Hasanbelliu |trans-title=Official, Brahja and Kuli to Teuta, president Hasanbelliu confirms |publisher=Panorama Sport |language=Albanian |date=5 January 2015 |accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref> He made his competitive debut with the club on 24 January in a 2–1 away defeat to Flamurtari Vlorë, a match that was dubbed as manipulating from AFA.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/01/24/albania/super-league/ks-flamurtari-vlore/ks-teuta-durres/1701599/ |title=Flamurtari Vlorë vs. Teuta Durrës 2 – 1 |publisher=Socceray |date=24 January 2015 |accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.panorama-sport.com/skandal-ne-vlore-teuta-i-hap-porten-flamurtarit-estrade-ne-minutat-e-fundit-te-ndershjes/ |title=Skandal në Vlorë, Teuta i hap portën Flamurtarit, ka estradë në minutat e fundit |trans-title=Scandal in Vlorë, Teuta opens the goal to Flamurtari, there is a show in last minutes |publisher=Panorama Sport |language=Albanian |date=25 January 2015 |accessdate=27 January 2015}}</ref> Two days later, the Prosecution of Vlora began investigations for this match.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.panorama-sport.com/prokuroria-nis-hetimin-kryesisht-per-trukimin-e-ndeshjes-flamurtari-teuta/ |title=Prokuroria heton Flamurtari-Teuta, çështja i besohet prokurores Flora Çela |trans-title=Prosecutor investigates Flamurtari-Teuta, the case is entrusted to prosecutor Flora Çela |publisher=Panorama Sport |language=Albanian |date=27 January 2015 |accessdate=27 January 2015}}</ref> He was ever-presented during the second part of the season, playing every single minute in their bid to escape relegation. On 17 May, in the penultimate league match against Apolonia Fier, their closest survival rivals, Brahja played a vital role in the team's 1–0 home win, securing thus mathematically staying for the next season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/05/17/albania/super-league/ks-teuta-durres/ks-apolonia-fier/2014150/ |title=Teuta Durrës vs. Apolonia Fier 1 – 0 |publisher=Socceray |language=Albanian |date=17 May 2015 |accessdate=17 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://albaniansport.net/new/mbijeton-teuta-bie-apolonia-kukesi-turperon-tiranen-konfirmon-evropen/ |title=Mbijeton Teuta, bie Apolonia, Kukësi turpëron Tiranën, konfirmon Evropën |trans-title=Teuta survives, Apolonia fall, Kukësi humiliates Tirana, confirms Europe |publisher=Albanian Sport |language=Albanian |date=17 May 2015 |accessdate=17 May 2015}}</ref> Following the end of the season, Brahja left the team.
===Tërbuni Pukë=== In July 2015, Brahja joined newly promoted side Tërbuni Pukë in their first ever Albanian Superliga season, signing a contract until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sportal.al/shqiperi/superiore/terbuni/item/8449-afrimet-e-para-te-terbuni.html |title=Afrimet e para te Tërbuni |trans-title=The first approaches of Tërbuni |publisher=Sportal.al |language=Albanian |date=14 July 2015 |accessdate=6 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207051821/http://www.sportal.al/shqiperi/superiore/terbuni/item/8449-afrimet-e-para-te-terbuni.html |archivedate=7 February 2016}}</ref> During his presentation, he was given the vacant number 5. On 23 August, Brahja was a starter in club's first ever Albanian Superliga match against Tirana, where he played full-90 minutes in an eventual 1–2 home loss.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://telesport.al/tirana-e-nis-mbare-permbys-terbunin-ne-puke/ |title=Tirana e nis mbarë, përmbys Tërbunin në Pukë |trans-title=Tirana starts well, overturn Tërbuni in Pukë |publisher=Telesport.al |language=Albanian |author=Eduard Ilnica |date=23 August 2015 |accessdate=3 January 2016}}</ref> On 4 October, during the embarrassing 7–0 loss to Flamurtari Vlorë, Brahja suffered an injury that kept him off the pitch for more than a month.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sportal.al/index.php/shqiperi/superiore/terbuni/item/15645-brahja-do-formacionin |title=Brahja do formacionin |trans-title=Brahja want the line-up |publisher=Sportal.al |language=Albanian |date=23 August 2015 |accessdate=3 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207094456/http://www.sportal.al/index.php/shqiperi/superiore/terbuni/item/15645-brahja-do-formacionin |archive-date=7 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 6 December, Brahja returned to play in first match after more than two months exactly against Flamurtari Vlorë, playing full-90 minutes in a 1–0 home triumph, returning the club to the winning ways after three consecutive defeats.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lapsi.al/sport/2015/12/06/t%C3%ABrbuni-mposhti-flamurtarin-me-golin-e-enco-malindit#.VrWFPhh97cs |title=Tërbuni mposhti Flamurtarin me golin e Enco Malindit |trans-title=Teuta defeats Flamurtari though Enco Malindi goal |publisher=Lapsi.al |language=Albanian |date=6 December 2015 |accessdate=3 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208144612/http://www.lapsi.al/sport/2015/12/06/t%C3%ABrbuni-mposhti-flamurtarin-me-golin-e-enco-malindit#.VrWFPhh97cs |archive-date=8 December 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During the first part of the season, Brahja appeared in only nine matches, including eight in league, failing to make an impact and cement his place at the starting line up, and eventually left the team in January 2016.
===Bylis Ballsh=== On 7 January 2016, Brahja signed a contract until the end of the season with Albanian Superliga strugglers Bylis Ballsh in their bid to escape relegation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://alb-sport.info/?p=7973 |title=Julian Brahja, afrimi i parë te Bylisi |trans-title=Julian Brahja, the first Bylis approach |publisher=alb-sport.info |language=Albanian |date=7 January 2016 |accessdate=6 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216114622/http://alb-sport.info/?p=7973 |archivedate=16 February 2016}}</ref> He was assigned number 4, and made his debut on 31 January in a 3–0 away loss to Kukësi.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.supersport.al/kukesi-e-nis-me-fitore-3-0-me-bylis/ |title=Kukësi e nis me fitore, 3-0 me Bylis |trans-title=Kukësi starts with win, 3-0 with Bylis |publisher=Super Sport Albania |language=Albanian |author=Sotir Kora |date=31 January 2016 |accessdate=6 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224150056/http://www.supersport.al/kukesi-e-nis-me-fitore-3-0-me-bylis/ |archivedate=24 February 2016}}</ref> A week later, Brahja scored his first Bylis Ballsh goal, netting the third goal during the 4–0 home win versus the survival rivals of Tërbuni Pukë.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.panorama-sport.com/bylis-shpartallon-terbunin-ballshiotet-bejne-poker-video/ |title=VIDEO/ Bylis shpartallon Tërbunin, 'poker' i ballshiotëve |trans-title=VIDEO/ Bylis winnows Tërbuni, 'poker' of them |publisher=Panorama Sport |language=Albanian |date=6 February 2016 |accessdate=6 February 2016}}</ref>
==Managerial career== After retiring from football following the end of 2016–17 season, on 22 July, Brahja was appointed assistant coach of Dinamo Tirana.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/julian-brahja-le-futbollin-fillon-punen-si-zv-trajner-i-dinamos/ |title=Julian Brahja lë futbollin, fillon punën si zv. trajner i Dinamos |trans-title=Julian Brahja leaves football, starts job as asst. manager of Dinamo |publisher=Panorama Sport |language=Albanian |date=22 July 2017 |accessdate=23 July 2017}}</ref>
==Honours==
===Club=== ;Laçi * Albanian Cup: 2004–05<ref name="Soccerway profile">{{cite news |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/julian-brahja/82858/ |title=Albania – J. Brahja – Profile with news, career statistics and history |publisher=Soccerway |date=28 March 2016 |accessdate=28 March 2016}}</ref>
;Elbasani * Albanian Superliga: 2005–06<ref name="Soccerway profile"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{UEFA player|93850}} * {{Soccerway|julian-brahja/82858}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brahja, Julian}} Category:1980 births Category:Living people Category:People from Laç Category:Footballers from Lezhë County Category:Albanian men's footballers Category:Men's association football central defenders Category:KF Laçi players Category:KF Besëlidhja Lezhë players Category:KF Elbasani players Category:KF Teuta players Category:KS Kastrioti players Category:FC Dinamo City players Category:Flamurtari FC players Category:FK Kukësi players Category:KF Tërbuni Pukë players Category:KF Bylis players Category:Kategoria e Parë players Category:Kategoria Superiore players Category:21st-century Albanian sportsmen