:Mërgim Vojvoda
{{Short description|Kosovan footballer (born 1995)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Mërgim Vojvoda
|image = Lens - Torino FC (02-08-2023) 25.jpg
|caption = Vojvoda with Torino in 2023
|fullname =
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|2|1|df=y}}
|birth_place = Llaushë, FR Yugoslavia{{cite news|url=https://www.torinofc.it/en/news/27/08/2020/torino-sign-vojvoda_24616|title=Torino sign Vojvoda|publisher=Torino F.C.|date=27 August 2020}}
|height = 1.87 m
|position = Full-back, defensive midfielder
|currentclub = Como
|clubnumber = 31
|youthyears1 = 2003–2009
|youthclubs1 = JS Pierreuse
|youthyears2 = 2009–2010
|youthclubs2 = CSJ Grivegnée
|youthyears3 = 2010–2011
|youthclubs3 = MVV Maastricht
|youthyears4 = 2011–2013
|youthclubs4 = Standard Liège
|years1 = 2013–2016
|clubs1 = Standard Liège
|caps1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2014–2015
|clubs2 = → Sint-Truidense (loan)
|caps2 = 4
|goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2015–2016
|clubs3 = → Carl Zeiss Jena (loan)
|caps3 = 24
|goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2016–2019
|clubs4 = Mouscron
|caps4 = 76
|goals4 = 1
|years5 = 2019–2020
|clubs5 = Standard Liège
|caps5 = 28
|goals5 = 1
|years6 = 2020–2025
|clubs6 = Torino
|caps6 = 127
|goals6 = 2
|years7 = 2025–
|clubs7 = Como
|caps7 = 8
|goals7 = 1
|nationalyears1 = 2014–2016
|nationalteam1 = Albania U21
|nationalcaps1 = 7
|nationalgoals1 = 0
|nationalyears2 = 2017–
|nationalteam2 = Kosovo
|nationalcaps2 = 63
|nationalgoals2 = 2
|club-update = 17:04, 3 May 2025 (UTC)
|nationalteam-update = 23 March 2025
}}
Mërgim Vojvoda (born 1 February 1995) is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as a full-back or defensive midfielder for {{Italian football updater|Como}} club Como and the Kosovo national team.
Club career
=Early career=
Vojvoda is a product of youth team systems of the different Belgian and Dutch sides such as JS Pierreuse, CSJ Grivegnée and MVV Maastricht. In 2011 at the age of 16, he joined with youth team of Standard Liège.
==Loan at Sint-Truiden==
On 20 August 2014, Vojvoda joined Belgian Second Division side Sint-Truidense, on a season-long loan.{{cite news|url=http://www.standard.be/nouvelles-2/lire/~mergim-vojvoda-uitgeleend-aan-stvv.htm?lng=nl|title=Mergim Vojvoda uitgeleend aan STVV|trans-title=Mergim Vojvoda on loan to STVV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210230126/http://www.standard.be/nouvelles-2/lire/~mergim-vojvoda-uitgeleend-aan-stvv.htm?lng=nl|language=Dutch|publisher=Standard Liège|date=20 August 2014|archive-date=10 December 2015}} On 8 November 2014, he made his debut in a 1–0 away win against Roeselare after coming on as a substitute at 63rd minute in place of Pierre-Baptiste Baherlé.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/11/08/belgium/second-division/ksv-roeselare/sint-truidense-vv/1736073/|title=KSV Roeselare vs. Sint-Truiden 0–1|website=Soccerway|access-date=8 November 2014}}
==Loan at Carl Zeiss Jena==
On 22 June 2015, Vojvoda joined Regionalliga Nordost side Carl Zeiss Jena, on a season-long loan.{{cite news|url=https://www.fc-carlzeiss-jena.de/news/club-profis/details/mergim_vojvoda_wechselt_zum_fc_carl_zeiss_jena.html|title=Mergim Vojvoda wechselt zum FC Carl Zeiss Jena|trans-title=Mergim Vojvoda is moving to FC Carl Zeiss Jena|language=German|publisher=FC Carl Zeiss Jena|date=22 June 2015}} One month later, he made his debut in a 3–0 away win against VfB Auerbach after coming on as a substitute at 73rd minute in place of Sören Eismann.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/07/24/germany/regionalliga/vfb-auerbach/fc-carl-zeiss-jena-ev/2064575/|title=Auerbach vs. Carl Zeiss Jena 0–3|website=Soccerway|access-date=24 July 2015}}
=Mouscron=
On 25 June 2016, Vojvoda joined Belgian First Division A side Mouscron.{{cite news|url=https://www.lavenir.net/cnt/dmf20160624_00846090/les-paris-vojvoda-et-saric-a-l-excel|title=Les paris Vojvoda et Saric à l'Excel|trans-title=Vojvoda and Saric bets at Excel|language=French|website=Lavenir.net|date=25 June 2016}} As part of the deal, Standard Liège secured a sell-on clause guaranteeing them 25% of the profits of a future transfer.{{cite news|url=https://telegrafi.com/vojvoda-e-ben-hapin-e-madh-kalon-ne-mouscron/|title=Vojvoda e bën hapin e madh, kalon në Mouscron|trans-title=Vojvoda takes the big step, passes to Mouscron|language=Albanian|publisher=Telegrafi|date=29 June 2016}} On 30 July 2016, he made his debut as a professional footballer in a 2–1 home defeat against Anderlecht after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/07/30/belgium/pro-league/rrc-peruwelz/royal-sporting-club-anderlecht/2239200/|title=Excel Mouscron vs. Anderlecht 1–2|website=Soccerway|access-date=30 July 2016}}
=Return to Standard Liège=
On 27 May 2019, Vojvoda signed a three-year contract with Belgian First Division A club Standard Liège and received squad number 27.{{cite news|url=https://standard.be/fr/news/mergim-vojvoda-revient-chez-les-rouches|title=Mergim Vojvoda revient chez les Rouches|trans-title=Mergim Vojvoda returns to the Rouches|language=French|publisher=Standard Liège|date=27 May 2019}} Two years later, he made his debut in a 2–0 away win against Cercle Brugge after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2019/07/27/belgium/pro-league/cercle-brugge-ksv/standard-de-liege/3050138/|title=Cercle Brugge vs. Standard Liège 0–2|website=Soccerway|access-date=27 July 2019}}
=Torino=
On 27 August 2020, Vojvoda signed a four-year contract with Serie A club Torino. Torino reportedly paid a €5.5 million transfer fee.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.al/5-5-milione-per-belget-mergim-vojvoda-zbarkon-ne-itali/|title=5.5 milionë për belgët, Mërgim Vojvoda zbarkon në Itali|trans-title=5.5 million for the Belgians, Mërgim Vojvoda lands in Italy|language=Albanian|publisher=ABC News Albania|date=26 August 2020}} He scored his first goal for the club on 3 May 2021 in a 1–0 home win against Parma.{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurosport.it/calcio/serie-a/2020-2021/serie-a-le-pagelle-di-torino-parma-1-0-ansaldi-mvp-gervinho-mai-in-partita_sto8303330/story.shtml|title=SERIE A, LE PAGELLE DI TORINO-PARMA 1-0: ANSALDI MVP, GERVINHO MAI IN PARTITA|publisher=Eurosport|date=3 May 2021|access-date=4 May 2021|language=it}}
=Como=
On 3 February 2025, Vojvoda signed a contract with Como for three and a half years.{{cite web|publisher=Como 1907|url=https://comofootball.com/en/como-1907-announces-the-signing-of-mergim-vojvoda/|title=Como 1907 Announces the Signing of Mërgim Vojvoda|date=3 February 2025|access-date=4 February 2025}}
International career
=Albania=
==Under-21==
He expressed his desire to play for Albania at international level.[http://www.panorama-sport.com/kombetarja-u-21/zyrtare-mergim-vojvoda-do-luaje-per-kuqezinjte/ Zyrtare, Mërgim Vojvoda do luajë për kuqezinjtë] Panorama Sport "Në moshë të re kam qenë pjesë e Belgjikës, mirëpo dëshira ime ka qenë që të luaj për Kombëtaren shqiptare në mënyrë që ta përfaqësoj flamurin dhe shtetin shqiptar, ka thënë Mërgim Vojvoda për kosovaren "Arena". He was invited for the first time by the Albania national under-21 football team coach Skënder Gega for the Friendly match on 6 August 2014 against Qatar in Scotland,[http://www.panorama-sport.com/lajme-flash/miqesorja-u-21-gega-fton-mergim-vojvoden/ Miqësorja, U-21: Gega fton Mërgim Vojvodën] Panorama Sport but did not appear due to a visa problem.[http://asport.al/zyrtare-mergim-vojvoda-luan-per-shqiperine/ Zyrtare: Mërgim Vojvoda luan për Shqipërinë] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815220227/http://asport.al/zyrtare-mergim-vojvoda-luan-per-shqiperine/ |date=15 August 2016 }} aSport.al "Ky i fundit ishte ftuar nga trajneri Skënder Gega edhe në muajin gusht për ndeshjen miqësore me Katarin. "Jam ftuar edhe në gusht, por për shkak të problemit me vizën, nuk kam mundur që të shkoj në atë kohë. Federata më ka kuptuar", shtoi ai"
In October 2014, he was included in the list of players which called up by national coach Skënder Gega for the friendly match against Romania U21 on 8 October.[http://www.panorama-sport.com/kombetarja-u-21/miqesorja-me-rumanine-gega-publikon-listen-e-u-21/ Miqësorja me Rumaninë, Gega publikon listën e U-21] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20141120141620/http://www.panorama-sport.com/kombetarja-u-21/miqesorja-me-rumanine-gega-publikon-listen-e-u-21/ |date=20 November 2014|work=Panorama Sport }} In the match against Romania U21, Vojvoda played as a starter and the match finished in the 3–1 loss.[http://www.panorama-sport.com/kombetarja-u-21/shpresat-munden-ne-rumani-deshton-armata-e-geges/ Shpresat munden në Rumani, dështon "armata" e Gegës] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017161222/http://www.panorama-sport.com/kombetarja-u-21/shpresat-munden-ne-rumani-deshton-armata-e-geges/ |date=17 October 2014|work=Panorama Sport }} Vojvoda was again called up to Albania U21, this time to participate in the international friendly tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 12–18 November 2014.[http://fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/2660-shpresat-turne-miqesor-ne-dubai Shpresat, turne miqesor ne Dubai] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122030815/http://fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/2660-shpresat-turne-miqesor-ne-dubai |date=22 November 2014 }} FSHF.org
On 27 March 2015, Vojvoda received the Albanian citizenship to be eligible for playing with Albania U21 in competitive tournaments.[http://gazetaolle.com/edhe-nje-futbollist-nga-kosova-behet-pasaporte-te-shqiperise-foto/ "Edhe një futbollist nga Kosova bëhet me pasaportë të Shqipërisë"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530223252/http://gazetaolle.com/edhe-nje-futbollist-nga-kosova-behet-pasaporte-te-shqiperise-foto/ |date=30 May 2019 }}, Gazeta Olle
===2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship===
Vojvoda was called up for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification opening match against Liechtenstein U21 on 28 March 2015.[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 He made his competitive debut for Albania U21 against Liechtenstein U21 on 28 March 2015 playing the full 90-minutes match helping his side to win 2–0.[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/03/28/europe/uefa-u21-championship/liechtenstein-u21/albania-under-21/2021376/ "Liechtenstein U21 vs. Albania U21"], Soccerway, 28 March 2015
=Kosovo=
On 8 September 2016, Vojvoda decided to leave the Albania U21 in order to play for Kosovo in the future. He said that he was open for them and that he was ready to accept if there is an invitation sent to him from the Football Federation of Kosovo.{{cite web|url=http://www.sovrani.info/zyrtare-largohet-edhe-nje-futbollist-nga-kombetarja-shqiptare-per-tiu-bashkuar-kosoves/|title=Zyrtare: Largohet edhe një futbollist nga Kombëtarja Shqiptare për t'iu bashkuar Kosovës|language=Albanian|publisher=|website=sovrani.info|date=8 September 2016|access-date=8 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913065451/http://www.sovrani.info/zyrtare-largohet-edhe-nje-futbollist-nga-kombetarja-shqiptare-per-tiu-bashkuar-kosoves/|archive-date=13 September 2016|url-status=dead}} On 7 November 2016, he received the call-up in a match against Turkey.{{cite web|url=http://www.ffk-kosova.com/federata/?p=15448|title=Bunjaki publikoi listën e futbollistëve për ndeshjen kundër Turqisë|language=Albanian|publisher=Football Federation of Kosovo|date=7 November 2016 }} On 10 November 2016, FIFA gave permission for Vojvoda to play for Kosovo.{{cite web|url=http://www.ffk-kosova.com/federata/?p=15488/|title=FIFA i jep leje Mërgim Vojvodës|language=Albanian|publisher=Football Federation of Kosovo|date=10 November 2016}}
- {{cite web|url=https://www.syri.net/sport/11052/zyrtare-fifa-i-jep-leje-talentit-kosovar-te-luaje-kunder-turqise/|title=ZYRTARE: FIFA i jep leje talentit kosovar të luajë kundër Turqisë|language=Albanian|publisher= |website=syri.net|date=20 November 2016}} On 11 June 2017, Vojvoda made his debut for Kosovo in a 4–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification loss to Turkey.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=276483/match=300361570/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709064813/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=276483/match=300361570/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 July 2016|title = FIFA}}
Personal life
In November 2020 Vojvoda tested positive for COVID-19.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=26 November 2020|title=Torino, Vojvoda svela: "Ho il Coronavirus, ma tornerò presto"|url=https://tuttosport.com/news/calcio/serie-a/torino/2020/11/26-76819535/torino_vojvoda_svela_ho_il_coronavirus_ma_torner_presto/|access-date=2020-12-01|publisher=Tuttosport|language=it}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 3 May 2025}}{{cite web |title=Mërgim Vojvoda » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/mergim-vojvoda/2/ |website=WorldFootball.net |accessdate=15 August 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/mergim-vojvoda/355445/|title=Mërgim Vojvoda|website=Soccerway}}
| 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"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other{{efn|Including other competitions, such as Thuringian Cup}} !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Liège II
|2013–14 |unknown |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| Sint-Truidense (loan)
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | |||
| Carl Zeiss Jena (loan)
|24 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 27 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Mouscron
|rowspan="3"|Belgian Pro League |21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 1 | 31 | 1 | ||
| 2017–18
|26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | 32 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19
|29 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 0 | 39 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!76 | 1 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 1 | 103 | 2 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Standard Liège
|rowspan="2"|Belgian Pro League |25 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 1 | ||
| 2020–21
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!28 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 1 | ||
| rowspan="6"|Torino
|rowspan="5"|Serie A |24 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 2 | |||
| 2021–22
|29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 0 | |||
| 2022–23
|29 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 0 | |||
| 2023–24
|28 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 1 | |||
| 2024–25
|17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!127 | 2 | 8 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 135 | 3 | |||
| Como
|Serie A |8 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!267 | 5 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 310 | 7 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 23 March 2025|{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=29915|title=Mërgim Vojvoda|website=EU-Football.info|access-date=26 March 2024}}}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
| rowspan="9"|Kosovo
|2017 | 6 | 0 |
| 2018 | 9 | 0 |
| 2019 | 9 | 1 |
| 2020 | 7 | 0 |
| 2021 | 12 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 1 |
| 2023 | 8 | 0 |
| 2024 | 8 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total | 63 | 2 |
|---|
:Scores and results list Kosovo's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Vojvoda goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Mërgim Vojvoda !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |
| align="center"|1
|7 September 2019 |Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo |{{fb|CZE}} |align="center"|2–1 |align="center"|2–1 |
| align="center"|2
|24 March 2022 |Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo |{{fb|BFA}} |align="center"|3–0 |align="center"|5–0 |
Honours
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{NFT|68304}}
- {{Soccerway|mergim-vojvoda/355445}}
{{Como 1907 squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vojvoda, Mergim}}
Category:Sportspeople from Skenderaj
Category:Footballers from the District of Mitrovica
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Kosovan men's footballers
Category:21st-century Kosovan sportsmen
Category:Kosovo men's international footballers
Category:Albanian men's footballers
Category:Albania men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Sint-Truidense V.V. players
Category:FC Carl Zeiss Jena players
Category:Royal Excel Mouscron players
Category:Standard Liège players
Category:Belgian Pro League players
Category:Challenger Pro League players
Category:Kosovan expatriate men's footballers
Category:Albanian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium
Category:Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany
Category:Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in Germany
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Germany
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy