Lirim Kastrati (footballer, born January 1999)

Lirim M. Kastrati (born 16 January 1999) is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as a winger for Hungarian club Fehérvár, and the Kosovo national team.

Lirim Kastrati

Personal information
Full name	Lirim M. Kastrati
Date of birth	(1999-01-16) 16 January 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth	Hogosht, FR Yugoslavia
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Winger
Team information
Current team	Fehérvár
Number	10
Youth career
2011–2013	Kika
2013–2014	Dardana
2014–2017	Shkëndija Tiranë
2017–2018	Lokomotiva
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2020	Lokomotiva	80	(21)
2020–2021	Dinamo Zagreb	32	(2)
2021–2022	Legia Warsaw	16	(0)
2022–	Fehérvár	43	(8)
2024	→ Lokomotiva (loan)	9	(0)
International career‡
2017–2018	Kosovo U19	5	(0)
2017–2020	Kosovo U21	7	(1)
2018–	Kosovo	17	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 August 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12 October 2021

Club career

Lokomotiva

On 17 February 2018, Kastrati made his debut as a professional footballer in a 1–0 away defeat against Istra 1961 after being named in the starting line-up.^[1] On 10 March 2018, he scored his first two goals in a 4–1 away win over Dinamo Zagreb.^[2] On 16 September 2018, Kastrati scored the first hat-trick of his career in a 5–2 away win over Slaven Belupo.^[3] On 17 February 2020, Kastrati signed a five-year contract with Dinamo Zagreb.^[4] He was sent back on loan to Lokomotiva for the remainder of the season.^[4] Four days later, he played the first game after the return against Varaždin after being named in the starting line-up.^[5]

Dinamo Zagreb

On 5 August 2020, Kastrati returned to Dinamo Zagreb. His debut with Dinamo Zagreb came eleven days later in a 6–0 home win against his former club Lokomotiva after being named in the starting line-up.^[6] Five days after debut, Kastrati was sent off in a 0–1 away win against Istra 1961 after a rough tackle on Obeng Regan.^[7] On 26 August, he scored his first goal for Dinamo Zagreb in his third appearance for the club in a 2–2 away draw over CFR Cluj in Champions League qualifying, which Dinamo Zagreb won 6–5 after penalty shootout and progressed to the third qualifying round.^[8]

On 12 September, Kastrati scored his first league goal in the Eternal derby as Dinamo Zagreb defeated Hajduk Split 2–1 at Stadion Poljud.^[9] On 22 October, he made his debut in a UEFA competition in the Europa League against Feyenoord after being named in the starting line-up.^[10][11] On 10 December, he scored his first European goal for Dinamo Zagreb in a 3–1 home win over CSKA Moscow.^[12]

During the second half of the season, Kastrati's inefficiency forced coach Zoran Mamić and his successor Damir Krznar to drop him from the starting XI. On 25 April 2021, Krznar unexpectedly named Kastrati in the starting XI for another Eternal derby, this time at Stadion Maksimir, which ended as a 2–0 victory with Kastrati scoring the second goal. After the game, Kastrati and Hajduk's coach Paolo Tramezzani were a subject of controversy after Kastrati was seen giving Tramezzani his shirt.^[13]

Legia Warsaw

On 1 September 2021, Kastrati joined Ekstraklasa side Legia Warsaw.^[14] In same day later, the club confirmed that he had joined on a four-year contract and received squad number 7.^[15] His debut with Legia Warsaw came ten days later in a 1–0 away defeat against Śląsk Wrocław after coming on as a substitute at 46th minute in place of Kacper Skibicki.^[16] On 15 September 2021, he scored his first goal for Legia Warsaw in his second appearance for the club in a 1–0 away win over Spartak Moscow in UEFA Europa League.^[17]

Fehérvár

On 29 August 2022, Kastrati signed a three-year contract with Nemzeti Bajnokság I club Fehérvár and received squad number 10.^[18] His debut with Fehérvár came two days later in a 2–1 home win against Kecskemét after coming on as a substitute at 66th minute in place of Funsho Bamgboye.^[19]

International career

Under-19

On 1 October 2017, Kastrati was named as part of the Kosovo U19 squad for 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifications.^[20] On 3 October 2017, he made his debut with Kosovo U19 in a match against Austria U19 after being named in the starting line-up.^[21]

Under-21

On 6 November 2017, Kastrati received a call-up from Kosovo U21 for 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against Israel U21 and Azerbaijan U21.^[22] On 14 November 2017, he made his debut with Kosovo U21 in a match against Azerbaijan U21 after coming on as a substitute at 46th minute in place of Mirlind Daku.^[23]

Senior

On 5 October 2018, Kastrati received a call-up from Kosovo for the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League matches against Malta and Faroe Islands.^[24] On 11 October 2018, he made his debut with Kosovo in a match against Malta after coming on as a substitute at 83rd minute in place of Vedat Muriqi.^[25] He scored his debut goal and the only goal in the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League victory over Moldova on 18 November 2020, saving Kosovo from relegation to League D.^[26]

Personal life

Kastrati was born in Hogosht, FR Yugoslavia (present-day Kamenica, Kosovo) to Kosovo Albanian parents.^[27][28] He is in a relationship with Croatian model Anđela Šimac, with whom he has a daughter Indiah.^[29][30]

Career statistics

Club

As of 31 August 2022^[31]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup[a]		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Lokomotiva	2017–18	Croatian First League	14	3	1	0	—		15	3
	2018–19	Croatian First League	32	7	3	0	—		35	7
	2019–20	Croatian First League	34	11	5	0	—		39	11
	Total		80	21	9	0	—		89	21
Dinamo Zagreb	2020–21	Croatian First League	27	2	3	0	11[b]	2	41	4
	2021–22	Croatian First League	5	0	0	0	5[c]	0	10	0
	Total		32	2	3	0	16	2	51	4
Legia Warsaw	2021–22	Ekstraklasa	15	0	3	1	5[d]	1	23	2
	2022–23	Ekstraklasa	1	0	0	0	—		1	0
	Total		16	0	3	1	5	1	24	2
Fehérvár	2022–23	Nemzeti Bajnokság I	1	0	0	0	—		1	0
Career total			129	23	15	1	21	3	165	27

1. Includes Croatian Cup
2. Two appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, nine appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
3. Appearances in the UEFA Champions League
4. Appearances in the UEFA Europa League

International

As of 12 October 2021^[32]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Kosovo	2018	1	0
	2019	2	0
	2020	6	1
	2021	8	0
Total		17	1

International goals

As of 18 November 2020
Scores and results list Kosovo's goal tally first.

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref.
1	18 November 2020	Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo	Moldova	1–0	1–0	2020–21 UEFA Nations League C3	[26]
2	16 November 2022		Armenia	2–2	2–2	Friendly

Honours

Dinamo Zagreb

• Prva HNL: 2020–21
• Croatian Cup: 2020–21^[33]

References

1. "Istra 1961 – Lokomotiva 1:0" (in Croatian). NK Lokomotiva. 17 February 2018. Početna postava: Šemper, Musa, Knežević, Radonjić, Majer, Barić, Kolinger, Kastrati, Krajinović, Šunjić, Majstorović
2. "VELIKA POBJEDA U GRADSKOM DERBIJU! Dinamo – Lokomotiva 1:4" [GREAT WINNER IN CITY DERBY! Dinamo – Lokomotiva 1:4] (in Croatian). NK Lokomotiva. 10 March 2018.
3. "Spektakl u Koprivnici – sedam golova, hat-trick mladog reprezentativca Kosova" [Spectacle in Koprivnica – seven goals, hat-trick of a young Kosovo player]. Germanijak (in Croatian). 16 September 2018.
4. "Lirim Kastrati novi igrač GNK Dinamo" [Lirim Kastrati, new GNK Dinamo player] (in Croatian). GNK Dinamo Zagreb. 17 February 2020. GNK Dinamo je danas dogovorio sve detalje oko prelaska Lirima Kastratija u Maksimir. Krilni igrač i seniorski reprezentativac Kosova ostat će do ljeta na posudbi u Lokomotivi a nakon toga priključit će se prvoj momčadi GNK Dinamo. Otkako sam došao u Hrvatsku, nadao sam se da ću jednog dana završiti u Dinamu. Sada mi se želja ispunila. Želim se zahvaliti svima koji su sudjelovali u ovome i koji su mi omogućili da budem član najveće nogometne institucije na ovim prostorima – rekao je kratko Kastrati po potpisu petogodišnjeg ugovora za naš klub
5. "Varaždin – Lokomotiva 0:2" (in Croatian). NK Lokomotiva. 21 February 2020. Početna postava: Grbić, Marković, Kolinger, Kovačić, Karačić, Jakić, Cokaj, Uzuni (Petrak), Tolić (68' Budimir), Kastrati, Tuci (62' Atiemwen)
6. "Razigrani Dinamo zabio "pola tuceta" na otvaranju sezone" [Playful Dinamo scored "half a dozen" at the opening of the season] (in Croatian). GNK Dinamo Zagreb. 16 August 2020. Dinamo: Livaković – Stojanović, Theophile, Dilaver (56. Milić), Leovac – Burton; Kastrati (63. Ivanušec), Majer, Gojak, Oršić – Gavranović (63. Kulenović)
7. Tomo Ničota (21 August 2020). "VIDEO: Ipak pobjeda! Petković ušao u igru prvi put ove sezone i spasio Dinamo golom iz jedanaesterca" [VIDEO: Victory after all! Petković entered the game for the first time this season and saved Dinamo with a goal from the penalty spot] (in Croatian). Sportske novosti. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020.
8. Tomo Ničota (26 August 2020). "Dinamovci s igračem manje izborili 3. pretkolo! Primili gol u nadoknadi, pa prošli na penale" [Dinamo won the 3rd preliminary round with one less player! Conceded a goal in stoppage time, then went to penalties] (in Croatian). Sportske novosti. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020.
9. Dražen Antolić (12 September 2020). "Video: Dinamo slavio na Poljudu zahvaljujući sjajnim golovima, Hajduk se prekasno probudio" [Video: Dinamo celebrated in Poljud thanks to great goals, Hajduk woke up too late] (in Croatian). Sportske novosti. Archived from the original on 12 September 2020.
10. Tomo Ničota (22 October 2020). "Zoran Mamić: Nije mi jasno zašto nema VAR-a, pa znate li što mi je za penal rekao Ademi!?" [Zoran Mamić: I don't understand why there is no VAR, so do you know what Ademi told me about the penalty!?] (in Croatian). Sportske novosti.
11. Tomo Ničota (22 October 2020). "Modri su preživjeli strašnih 20-ak minuta, veliko pojačanje bilo je izvan meča, a onda se sve okrenulo..." [The Blues survived a terrible 20 minutes, a big reinforcement was out of the match, and then everything turned around...] (in Croatian). Sportske novosti.
12. Tomo Ničota; Patrik Mršnik (10 December 2020). "Dinamo slavi, ali ipak nije postao svjetski rekorder! Hrvat pokvario potpuni show Modrih na Maksimiru" [Dinamo celebrates, but still didn't become a world record holder! The Croat spoiled the complete show of the Blues at Maksimir] (in Croatian). Sportske novosti.
13. Tomo Ničota (27 April 2021). "'Trammezzani me oduševio kad je progovorio albanski, a Hajduk moja prekretnica! Dres? Nije bilo namjerno'" ['Trammezzani delighted me when he spoke Albanian, and Hajduk was my turning point! Jersey? It was not on purpose'] (in Croatian). Sportske novosti.
14. "Lirim Kastrati przyleciał do Warszawy" [Lirim Kastrati flew to Warsaw] (in Polish). Legia Warsaw. 1 September 2021.
15. "Lirim Kastrati piłkarzem Legii!" [Lirim Kastrati is footballer of Legia!] (in Polish). Legia Warsaw. 1 September 2021.
16. "Kontrowersje w końcówce i porażka we Wrocławiu" [Controversy at the end and failure in Wrocław] (in Polish). Legia Warsaw. 11 September 2021.
17. UEFA Europa League [@EuropaLeague] (15 September 2021). "Late drama as Lirim Kastrati scores his first Legia goal to see off Spartak in added time! #UEL" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
18. "Lirim Kastrati a Vidiben folytatja pályafutását!" [Lirim Kastrati continues his career at Vidi!] (in Hungarian). Fehérvár FC. 29 August 2022.
19. "Hajrában szerzett góllal győztük le a Kecskemétet!" [We defeated Kecskemét with a goal scored in Hajra!] (in Hungarian). Fehérvár FC. 31 August 2022.
20. "Kombëtarja U19 udhëtoi për në Austri" [National U19 team traveled to Austria] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 1 October 2017.
21. "Humbje minimale e Kombëtares U-19 përballë Austrisë" [Minimal defeat of national U19 team against Austria] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 3 October 2017.
22. "Prekazi publikoi listën e futbollistëve për ndeshjet me Izraelin dhe Azerbejxhanin" [Prekazi published the list of footballers for matches with Israel and Azerbaijan] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 6 November 2017.
23. "Kombëtarja U21 barazoi me Azerbejxhanin në Baku" [National U21 team draw with Azerbaijan in Baku] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 14 November 2017.
24. "Challandes publikon listën e futbollistëve" [Challandes publish the list of footballers] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 5 October 2018. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
25. "Kosova feston edhe kundër Maltës, "Dardanët" të parët në Grupin 3" [Kosovo celebrates even against Malta, "Dardanians" first in Group 3] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 11 October 2018. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
26. "Kosova e mbyll me fitore edicionin e Ligës së Kombeve, siguron qëndrimin në Ligën C" [Kosovo closes with a victory the edition of the Nations League, ensures its stay in League C] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 18 November 2020.
27. Tironi, Hrvoje (13 August 2020). "Kastrati: Kao dječak sam čuvao krave, a tata i brat su počastili selo kad sam stigao u Dinamo..." [Kastrati: As a boy, I herded cows, and my dad and brother treated the village when I moved to Dinamo...] (in Croatian). 24sata.
28. Lirim Kastrati at Soccerway
29. "Atraktivna Sinjanka čeka dijete s bivšim dinamovcem, ali ne želi se udati za njega, evo zašto: "On bi htio, ali..."" [Attractive Sinj native expecting a child with former Dinamo player, but doesn't want to marry him, here's why: "He would like to, but..."] (in Croatian). Dnevnik.hr. 25 October 2021.
30. "Vatrena Sinjanka i bivši dinamovac bebi su dali totalno unikatno ime: Jeste li ga ikad čuli?" [Hot Sinj native and former Dinamo player gave their baby a totally unique name: Have you ever heard it?]. Net.hr (in Croatian). 28 March 2022.
31. Lirim Kastrati at Soccerway
32. "Lirim M. Kastrati". eu-football.info. 12 October 2021.
33. "DINAMO - ISTRA 1961 6:3". HNS-CFF (in Croatian). 19 May 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.

External links

• Lirim Kastrati at Soccerway
• Lirim Kastrati at National-Football-Teams.com
• Lirim Kastrati at the Albanian Football Association (in Albanian and English)