{{short description|Albanian footballer (born 1994)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Valon Ahmedi | image = | caption = | fullname = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|10|7|df=y}} | birth_place = Ohrid, Macedonia<ref name="vecer"/> | height = 1.75 m<ref>{{cite web |title=Valon Ahmedi |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe302342/valon-ahmedi/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=14 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref> | position = Attacking midfielder | currentclub = Bishkek City | clubnumber = 9 | youthyears1 = 2004–2011 | youthclubs1 = Kastelbell | youthyears2 = 2011–2012 | youthclubs2 = Südtirol | years1 = 2012–2014 | clubs1 = Südtirol | caps1 = 6 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2014–2015 | clubs2 = Celje | caps2 = 34 | goals2 = 5 | years3 = 2016–2018 | clubs3 = Maribor | caps3 = 22 | goals3 = 1 | years4 = 2016–2017 | clubs4 = Maribor B | caps4 = 14 | goals4 = 6 | years5 = 2018–2019 | clubs5 = Ironi Kiryat Shmona | caps5 = 20 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2019 | clubs6 = Inter Zaprešić | caps6 = 5 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2020 | clubs7 = Shkëndija | caps7 = 17 | goals7 = 4 | years8 = 2021–2024 | clubs8 = Shakhtyor Soligorsk | caps8 = 82 | goals8 = 10 | years9 = 2024–2025 | clubs9 = Shkëndija | caps9 = 13 | goals9 = 1 | years10= 2025 | clubs10= Rabotnichki | caps10 = 5 | goals10 = 0 | years11= 2025 | clubs11= Neman Grodno | caps11 = 5 | goals11 = 1 | years12= 2026– | clubs12= Bishkek City | caps12 = 2 | goals12 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2012 | nationalteam1 = Albania U19{{Efn|name=UEFA|Official competitive UEFA matches only.}} | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2013 | nationalteam2 = Albania U20 | nationalcaps2 = 5| nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2013–2014 | nationalteam3 = Albania U21 | nationalcaps3 = 2| nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2017 | nationalteam4 = Albania | nationalcaps4 = 2| nationalgoals4 = 0 | club-update = 13 March 2026 }}
'''Valon Ahmedi''' (born 7 October 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Kyrgyz club Bishkek City. Born in the Republic of Macedonia, he represented the Albania national team.
==Club career== ===Early career=== Ahmedi was born in Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia, to ethnic Albanian parents and was raised in Castellanza, Italy. He began his career with Kastelbell.<ref>[http://www.fc-suedtirol.com/de/fc-s%C3%BCdtirol/ahmedi-bestreitet-em-qualy-mit-u-19-auswahl-albaniens/54-18126.html AHMEDI BESTREITET EM - QUALY MIT U-19 AUSWAHL ALBANIENS] FC Südtirol - Alto Adige {{in lang|de}}</ref> He moved to F.C. Südtirol in August 2011 after being spotted by the club's scout and was offered a place in the youth team.<ref>[http://calcio.sportrentino.it/notizie.asp?n=50151&l=0 Valon Ahmedi, dal Südtirol alla Nazionale albanese under 19] SportRentino.it</ref>
He made his senior debut for Südtirol on 22 December 2012 against Tritium during the 2012–13 season, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute for Alessandro Campo in the 1–1 draw.<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/12/22/italy/serie-c1/ss-tritium-1908/fc-sudtirol-bolzano/1370357/ Tritium vs. Südtirol - 22 December 2012] Soccerway</ref> His next and last senior appearance of the 2012–13 season came on 13 January 2013 against Pavia in a 2–1 loss, where he came on in the 67th minute of the game in place of Alessandro Furlan.<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/01/13/italy/serie-c1/ac-pavia/fc-sudtirol-bolzano/1370373/ Pavia vs. Südtirol - 13 January 2013] Soccerway</ref>
In the 2013–14 season he played overall 4 matches all as a substitute.<ref>[http://aic.football.it/scheda/26594/ahmedi-valon.htm Schede analitica di Valon Ahmedi] Football.it</ref>
===Celje=== In July 2014 Ahmedi signed with Slovenian PrvaLiga side NK Celje.<ref>[http://www.yllpress.com/102337/valon-ahmedi-transferohet-ne-nk-celje.html Valon Ahmedi transferohet në NK Celje] Yll Press</ref> He made his debut in the opening match of the 2014–15 season against Zavrč playing the full 90-minutes.<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/07/18/slovenia/1-snl/nk-celje/nk-zavrc/1730995/ Celje vs. Zavrč - 18 July 2014] Soccerway</ref> He was considered as an important player for the team and regularly played for entire matches, and on 1 August 2014 he scored his first goal against Krka in the third round, helping his team to a 3–0 victory.<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/08/01/slovenia/1-snl/nk-celje/nk-krka/1737009/ Celje vs. Krka - 1 August 2014] Soccerway</ref> Ahmed had a three months break as he got injured in the start of the 2015 and missed out for two months until May 2015.
He finished his first season at Celje with 20 league appearances, scoring five goals. Celje finished as league runners-up and this made them to secure a place in the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League qualifiers.<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/national/slovenia/1-snl/20142015/regular-season/r25937/ Summary - 1. SNL - Slovenia - Results, fixtures, tables and news] Soccerway</ref> Ahmedi also played five matches in the 2014–15 Slovenian Football Cup and scored one goal, as Celje finished runners-up losing to the final against Koper.<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/national/slovenia/cup/20142015/s9861/final-stages/ Summary – Cup – Slovenia – Results, fixtures, tables and news] Soccerway</ref>
He made his European debut on 2 July 2015 in the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round against Śląsk Wrocław, where he played for 45 minutes before being substituted at the half-time for Sunny Omoregie.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2017112--celje-vs-slask/|title=Celje 0–1 Śląsk|publisher=UEFA|access-date=28 April 2016}}</ref> In the second leg on 9 July, Ahmedi started from the bench and came in to play in the 79th minute in place of Danijel Miškić. The match ended in a 3–1 loss and it resulted in elimination of Celje 4–1 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2017163--slask-vs-celje/|title=Śląsk 3–1 Celje|publisher=UEFA|access-date=28 April 2016}}</ref>
===Maribor=== He signed for Slovenian champions NK Maribor in January 2016.<ref name="ahmedi_transfer_snportal">{{cite news | url= http://snportal.si/prva-liga/v-ljudski-vrt-tudi-ahmedi/ | title = V Ljudskem vrtu tudi Ahmedi | trans-title = Ahmedi also in Ljudski vrt | author = Peter Dominko | publisher = SNPortal.si | date = 13 January 2016 | access-date = 17 January 2016 | language = sl }}</ref><ref name="ahmedi_transfer_rtvslo">{{cite news | url= http://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/mozaik-skorajda-sestavljen-ahmedi-cetrta-okrepitev-maribora/383275 | title = Mozaik skorajda sestavljen: Ahmedi četrta okrepitev Maribora | trans-title = The mosaic almost complete: Ahmedi fourth reinforcement of Maribor | author = R. K. | publisher = RTV Slovenija | date = 12 January 2016 | access-date = 17 January 2016 | language = sl }}</ref> He debuted on 20 April 2016 in the 2015–16 Slovenian Cup semi-final game against Zavrč, replacing Dare Vršič in the 64th minute. Maribor won the game 5–1 after extra time and secured a place in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nkmaribor.com/novice/?id=6798|title=NK Maribor – Zavrč 5:1 (2:1, 1:1)|publisher=NK Maribor official website|date=20 April 2016|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref> Ahmedi scored his first goal for Maribor on 22 September 2017 in the 2017–18 Slovenian PrvaLiga 10th matchday against Aluminij, helping his team to win the match 3–2.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rtvslo.si/sport/nogomet/prva-liga/maribor-trpel-v-kidricevem-a-se-naposled-le-izvlekel/433200|title=Maribor trpel v Kidričevem, a se naposled le izvlekel|publisher=RTV Slovenija|date=22 September 2017|access-date=23 September 2017|language=sl|author1=S. J.|author2=A. V.|location=Ljubljana}}</ref>
==International career== Ahmedi was eligible to represent Macedonia through birthplace, Italy through residence, and Albania through his ethnicity.<ref name="vecer"/>
===Albania under-19=== He caught the attention of the Albanian Football Association in 2012 with his performances in the youth team of Südtirol, and he accepted their invitation to the join Albania U19s for a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina U19 on 8 May 2012, which he featured in from the start as a striker in the 3–1 win. Then, Ahmedi was called up against in August 2012 to participate with Albania U19 in a friendly tournament in Slovenia.<ref>[http://www.fc-suedtirol.com/it/fc-s%C3%BCdtirol/valon-ahmedi-convocato-nella-nazionale-u-19-albanese/54-16118.html VALON AHMEDI CONVOCATO NELLA NAZIONALE U-19 ALBANESE] FC Südtirol - Alto Adige {{in lang|it}}</ref>
Ahmedi was named in the Foto Strakosha squad for the 2013 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification from 12 to 17 October 2012 with opponents Italy U19, Belgium U19 and Belarus U19.<ref>[http://www.fc-suedtirol.com/it/fc-südtirol/per-ahmedi-le-qualificazioni-agli-europei-con-l-u-19-albanese/54-18126.html Per Ahmedi le qualificazioni agli Europei con l'u-19 Albanese] FC Südtirol - Alto Adige {{in lang|it}}</ref> In the opening match of the tournament on 12 October 2012 against Italy U19, he made it his debut by playing as a starter and got substituted off in the 81st minute for Dardan Vuthaj in a 3–0 loss.<ref>[https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2009274--italy-vs-albania/ Match report – Under-19 2013 – Italy-Albania] UEFA.com</ref> In the second match against Belgium U19 he was included in the starting line-up and played for 84 minutes as Albania U19 made a crucial 3–1 victory.<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/10/14/europe/uefa-u19-championship/belgium-under-19/albania-under-19/1394915/ Belgium U19 vs. Albania U19 - 14 October 2012] Soccerway</ref> In the closing match against Belarus, Ahmedi managed to play the full 90 minutes but was unable to avoid a 2–0 loss which resulted in elimination for Albania U19, which finished in the last place in their group.<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/international/europe/uefa-u19-championship/2012-2013/qualifying-round/group-7/g4970/ Summary - UEFA U19 Championship - Europe - Results, fixtures, tables and news] Soccerway</ref>
===Albania under-20=== Ahmedi was called up at Albania national under-20 football team by coach Skënder Gega to participate in the 2013 Mediterranean Games football tournament which began on 19 June 2013 in Mersin, Turkey.<ref>[http://asport.al/lojerat-mesdhetare-shqiperia-merr-pjese-me-75-sportiste-lista-e-plote/ Lojërat Mesdhetare: Shqipëria merr pjesë me 75 sportistë (Lista e plotë)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513055440/http://asport.al/lojerat-mesdhetare-shqiperia-merr-pjese-me-75-sportiste-lista-e-plote/ |date=13 May 2016 }} aSport.al</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama-sport.com/lojerat-mesdhetare-shqiperia-debuton-me-futbollin/|title=Lojërat Mesdhetare, Shqipëria debuton me futbollin|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=19 June 2013|access-date=19 June 2013}}</ref> Ahmedi played in all five Albania U20s matches, in which one of them was a full 90-minutes game, two as a starter until second half, and two others as a substitute. Albania U20 was ranked in the last place out of eight teams.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130626085949/http://info.mersin2013.gov.tr/pdf/FB/FBM400A02..C73.ENG.1.0.pdf Info Mersin 2013] Wayback Machine</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130626024439/http://info.mersin2013.gov.tr/pdf/FB/FBM400A04..C73.ENG.1.0.pdf Info Mersin 2013] Wayback Machine</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150623153851/http://info.mersin2013.gov.tr/pdf/FB/FBM400A06..C73.ENG.1.0.pdf Info Mersin 2013] Wayback Machine</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150623153845/http://info.mersin2013.gov.tr/pdf/FB/FBM400203..C73.ENG.1.0.pdf Info Mersin 2013] Wayback Machine</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141222044705/http://info.mersin2013.gov.tr/pdf/FB/FBM400104..C73.ENG.1.0.pdf Info Mersin 2013] Wayback Machine</ref>
===Albania under-21=== Following impressive performances in the under-19s national team as well as his club Südtirol, Ahmedi received his first call up for the Albanian under-21 national team by coach Skënder Gega for a friendly against Macedonia U21 on 6 February 2013.<ref>[http://www.fc-suedtirol.com/it/fc-südtirol/valon-ahmedi-convocato-nella-nazionale-under-21-albanese/54-23622.html Valon Ahmedi convocato nella nazionale under-21 Albanese] FC Südtirol - Alto Adige {{in lang|it}}</ref><ref>[http://www.fc-suedtirol.com/de/fc-südtirol/valon-ahmedi-in-u-21-albaniens-einberufen/54-23622.html Valon Ahmedi in u-21 Albaniens einberufen] FC Südtirol - Alto Adige {{in lang|de}}</ref> He debuted for the under-21 side against Macedonia U21, playing as a starter for the entire first half in an eventual goalless draw.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shpresat pa fat, barazim pa gola me Maqedoninë|url=http://asport.al/shpresat-pa-fat-barazim-pa-gola-me-maqedonine/|access-date=30 September 2017|publisher=aSport.al|date=6 February 2013|language=sq|archive-date=1 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001031435/http://asport.al/shpresat-pa-fat-barazim-pa-gola-me-maqedonine/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He received another call up for the under-21 side by same coach Skënder Gega for the friendly match against Romania U21 on 8 October 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=U-21 ben gati miqesoren kunder Rumanise|url=http://fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/2606-u-21-ben-gati-miqesoren-kunder-rumanise|publisher=FSHF|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=7 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807023957/http://fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/2606-u-21-ben-gati-miqesoren-kunder-rumanise|url-status=dead}}</ref> He played against Romania U21 as a starter and in the 60th minute provided the assist for the 1–1 equalising goal scored by Vedat Muriqi, which however wasn't enough as Romania U21 won 3–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shpresat munden në Rumani, dështon "armata" e Gegës|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/shpresat-munden-ne-rumani-deshton-armata-e-geges/|publisher=Panorama Sport|access-date=1 October 2017|language=sq|date=9 October 2014|quote=Kështu te Shqipëria hyn në lojë ish-sulmuesi i Teutës, Muriqi, i cili arrin të barazojë shifrat në minutën e 60-të, teksa merr një top nga Ahmedi, në shtyllë të parë ai arrin ta devijojë në rrjetë.}}</ref>
Ahmedi was called up for the first time in an official competitive match by the coach Skënder Gega for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification opening match against Liechtenstein on 28 March 2015, but he withdrew due to a lately injury at Celje.<ref>[http://asport.al/shpresat-nisin-kualifikimet-kunder-lihtenshtajnit/ Shpresat nisin kualifikimet kundër Lihtenshtajnit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417033744/http://asport.al/shpresat-nisin-kualifikimet-kunder-lihtenshtajnit/ |date=17 April 2016 }} aSport.al</ref>
===Albania senior side=== Following his good form at Maribor in the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League, progressing and qualifying for the group stage, he received his first call for the Albania senior team by newly appointed coach Christian Panucci for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Liechtenstein and Macedonia (which he announced to have refused only to play for Albania) on 2 and 5 September 2017, respectively.<ref>[http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/tre-vite-pritje-per-nje-ftese-kuqezi-ahmedi-kisha-presion-nga-maqedonia/ Tre vite pritje për një ftesë kuqezi, Ahmedi: Kisha presion nga Maqedonia] Panorama Sport</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/5774-trajneri-panucci-shpall-listen-e-lojtareve-per-ndeshjet-zyrtare-eleminatore-kunder-lihtenshteinit-dhe-maqedonise|title=Trajneri Panucci shpall listën e lojtarëve për ndeshjet zyrtare eleminatore kundër Lihtenshteinit dhe Maqedonisë|language=sq|publisher=FSHF|date=25 August 2017|access-date=25 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827205028/http://fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/5774-trajneri-panucci-shpall-listen-e-lojtareve-per-ndeshjet-zyrtare-eleminatore-kunder-lihtenshteinit-dhe-maqedonise|archive-date=27 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Personal life== Ahmedi speaks Albanian as a mother tongue, Italian, German, English, Croatian, and Slovenian.<ref name="vecer">{{cite news|last1=Kovačevič|first1=Marko|title=Vijoličast Ahmedi: Dojel sem, kaj je v nogometu najpomembnejše|url=http://www.vecer.com/dojel-sem-kaj-je-v-nogometu-najpomembnejse-6278980|website=vecer.com|publisher=Večer|access-date=2 September 2017|language=sl|date=10 July 2017}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|4 January 2020}}<ref>{{Soccerway|valon-ahmedi/251353|accessdate=29 November 2017}}</ref><ref name="NFT profile">{{NFT player|id=68783|access-date=8 September 2017}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3" valign="center"| Südtirol || 2012–13 ||rowspan="2"| Lega Pro ||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- | 2013–14 ||4||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||4||0 |- !colspan="2" valign="center"|Total !6!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!6!!0 |- |rowspan="3" valign="center"| Celje || 2014–15 ||rowspan="2"| Slovenian PrvaLiga ||20||5||5||1||colspan="2"|—||25||6 |- | 2015–16 ||14||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=uel|Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League}}||0||17||0 |- !colspan="2" valign="center"|Total !34!!5!!6!!1!!2!!0!!42!!6 |- |rowspan="5" valign="center"| Maribor || 2015–16 ||rowspan="4"| Slovenian PrvaLiga |1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- | 2016–17 |5||0||0||0||0||0||5||0 |- | 2017–18 |16||1||1||0||10{{efn|name=ucl|Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League}}||0||27||1 |- | 2018–19 |0||0||1||0||0||0||1||0 |- !colspan="2" valign="center"|Total !22!!1!!3!!0!!10!!0!!35!!1 |- |valign="center"| Ironi Kiryat Shmona || 2018–19 ||rowspan="1"| Israeli Premier League |20||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||21||1 |- |valign="center"| Inter Zaprešić || 2019–20 ||rowspan="1"| Prva HNL |5||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||6||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !87!!7!!11!!1!!12!!0!!110!!8 |} {{notelist}}
===International=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="NFT profile" /><ref name="EU-football.info profile">{{cite web|title=Valon Ahmedi - national football team player|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=29947|publisher=EU-football.info|access-date=2 September 2017}}</ref> |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |Albania |2017||2||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total||2||0 |}
==Honours== '''Maribor''' *Slovenian Championship: 2016–17 *Slovenian Cup: 2015–16
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{Soccerway|valon-ahmedi/251353}} * {{UEFA player|250056057}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ahmedi, Valon}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Ohrid Category:Albanian men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Serie C players Category:Slovenian PrvaLiga players Category:Israeli Premier League players Category:Croatian Football League players Category:Macedonian First Football League players Category:Belarusian Premier League players Category:Kyrgyz Premier League players Category:FC Südtirol players Category:NK Celje players Category:NK Maribor players Category:Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona F.C. players Category:NK Inter Zaprešić players Category:KF Shkëndija players Category:FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk players Category:FK Rabotnicki players Category:FC Neman Grodno players Category:Albania men's youth international footballers Category:Albania men's under-21 international footballers Category:Albania men's international footballers Category:Albanian expatriate men's footballers Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Italy Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Slovenia Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Slovenia Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Israel Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Israel Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Croatia Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Croatia Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Belarus Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belarus Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Kyrgyzstan Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Kyrgyzstan Category:Competitors at the 2013 Mediterranean Games Category:Mediterranean Games competitors for Albania Category:21st-century Albanian sportsmen