Ariel Durim Shtini (born 7 February 1992 in Kavajë) is an Albanian retired footballer who played as a midfielder.

Ariel Shtini
Personal information
Full name Ariel Durim Shtini
Date of birth (1992-02-07) 7 February 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth Kavajë, Albania
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2011 Besa 32 (6)
2011–2012 Dinamo Tirana 22 (3)
2012 Milsami 0 (0)
Total 54 (9)
International career
Albania U-17
Albania U-19
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 September 2012
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 6 September 2012

Club career edit

Shtini started his career with his hometown club Besa Kavajë, and in his first season as a professional he made 10 league appearances, scoring twice, in an eventual second place in 2009–10 season. He also was part of the team that won the Albanian Cup, but did not make any appearance.[1]

He had his breakthrough in the 2010–11 season, first making his European debut in July, winning the Albanian Supercup one month later against Dinamo Tirana where he entered in the last ten minutes and scored the third goal.[2] Shtini also played 22 league matches as Besa couldn't repeat the success of last season, finishing in the 11th position which resulted in them being relegated.

For the 2011–12 he joined Dinamo Tirana where he cemented his place in the starting lineup. However, the capital club's problems in and off the field resulted in them finishing in the last position and relegated to First Division.[3] Shtini had a good individual season, making 22 league appearances and scoring three times, being the joint-second topscorer of the team.

Moldova and career-ending injury edit

On 30 June 2012, after successfully passing the trial, Shtini joined Moldovan club Milsami on a two-year contract, and was presented on the same day.[4] After playing in some friendlies, he suffered a major injury by breaking the bone of his right leg, which required surgery.[5] He was forced to cut a part of his bone, which made him unable to continue his football career, thus retiring at the age of 20.[5]

International career edit

Shtini has represented Albania at under-17 and under-19 levels.

Honours edit

Besa Kavajë[6]

References edit

  1. ^ "Besa fiton Kupën e Shqipërisë" [Besa wins Albanian Cup] (in Albanian). Albania Soccer. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Besa fiton Superkupën" [Besa wins the Supercup] (in Albanian). Arkiva Lajmeve. 16 August 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  3. ^ "Vllaznia i kthehet fitores, Dinamo bie nga kategoria" [Vllaznia returns to win, Dinamo gets relegated] (in Albanian). Sot.com.al. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  4. ^ "Ariel Shtini firmos kontratë 2-vjeçare me moldavët e FC Milsami" [Ariel Shtini signs a 2-year contract with moldavans of FC Milsami] (in Albanian). Dyqani.co.uk. 1 July 2012. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Ariel Shtini: Si m'u "dogj" karriera te moldavët e Milsamit" [Ariel Shtini: How my career got “buried” at Moldavans of Milsami] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  6. ^ "Albania - A. Shtini - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 March 2017.

External links edit