:Thomas Strakosha

Born in Greece to Albanian parents, Strakosha began his youth career in 2011 at Panionios, from where in the next year he was signed by Lazio for a €75,000 transfer fee.{{cite news|url=http://korneri.net/?p=27458|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527220143/http://korneri.net/?p=27458|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 May 2014|title=Zyrtare: T. Strakosha te Lazio|trans-title=Official: T. Strakosha at Lazio|publisher=Korneri.net|language=sq|accessdate=4 October 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.soccerfame.com/transfer/13274/thomas-strakosha|title=Lazio sign Thomas Strakosha from Panionios|publisher=Soccerfame|accessdate=4 October 2016}} He became a regular starter for the Primavera team and was a key player with the Primavera team that won the 2012–13 Campionato Nazionale Primavera after defeating Atalanta Primavera in the final, 3–0.{{cite news|url=http://www.lalaziosiamonoi.it/settore-giovanile/un-poker-per-la-storia-la-coppa-italia-primavera-torna-a-tingersi-di-biancoceleste-dopo-35-anni-43015|title=Un poker per la storia, la Coppa Italia Primavera torna a tingersi di biancoceleste dopo 35 anni!|trans-title=A poker for history, the Coppa Italia Primavera is dying of white-collar after 35 years!|publisher=lalaziosiamonoi.it|language=it|date=10 April 2014|accessdate=10 April 2014}}

Following the departure of Lazio first-team starting goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo to Inter Milan, in the second half of the 2012–13 season, Strakosha gained entry with the first team as third-choice goalkeeper, behind Federico Marchetti and Albano Bizzarri. He was member of the team that won 2012–13 Coppa Italia after defeating city rivals Roma 0–1 in the final on 26 May 2013.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/05/26/italy/coppa-italia/as-roma/ss-lazio-roma/1444237/|title=Roma vs. Lazio 0 – 1|publisher=Soccerway|date=26 May 2013|accessdate=26 May 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.lalaziosiamonoi.it/editoriale/lulic-scrive-la-storia-del-calcio-a-roma-c-e-solo-la-lazio-34784|title=Lulic scrive la storia del calcio: a Roma c'è SOLO LA LAZIO!|trans-title=Lulic writes the story of football: in Rome there is ONLY LA LAZIO!|publisher=lalaziosiamonoi.it|language=sq|date=26 May 2013|accessdate=26 May 2013}} On 18 August 2013, Strakosha was again on the substitutes' bench as Lazio lost 4–0 to Juventus in the 2013 Supercoppa Italiana.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/08/18/italy/super-cup/juventus-fc/ss-lazio-roma/1473370/|title=Juventus vs. Lazio 4 – 0|publisher=Soccerway|date=18 August 2013|accessdate=18 August 2013}}

On 2 September 2013, Lazio sold Bizzarri to Genoa and at the same time purchased fellow Albanian goalkeeper Etrit Berisha from Kalmar. This made Strakosha to stand still as a third choice and being only an unused substitute for the 2013–14 season behind the strong challenge for the starting place between Berisha and Marchetti.{{cite news|url=http://www.calciomercato.com/news/strakosha-voglio-diventare-il-primo-portiere-della-lazio-382768|title=Strakosha: 'Voglio diventare il primo portiere della Lazio'|trans-title=Strakosha: 'I want to become the first goalkeeper of Lazio'|publisher=Calciomercato.com|language=it|date=14 July 2014|accessdate=4 October 2016}}

On 11 July 2014, Igli Tare, Lazio's sports director, announced that Strakosha's contract was extended until 2019.{{cite news|url=http://asport.al/strakosha-edhe-5-vjet-te-lacio/|title=Strakosha edhe 5 vjet te Lacio|trans-title=Strakosha for 5 years at Lazio|publisher=aSport.al|language=sq|date=11 July 2014|accessdate=11 July 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513064545/http://asport.al/strakosha-edhe-5-vjet-te-lacio/|archive-date=13 May 2016}} Strakosha was on the bench for the 2014–15 Coppa Italia final against Juventus on 21 May 2015 where Lazio lost 2–1 in extra-time following a 97th-minute goal by Alessandro Matri.{{cite news|title=Juventus, in bacheca la decima Coppa Italia! Lazio freddata da mitra Matri|trans-title=Juventus, in the tenth cup of Coppa Italia! Lazio cold-blooded by Matri|url=http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/juventus-in-bacheca-la-decima-coppa-italia-lazio-freddata-da-mitra-matri-682594|magazine=tuttomercatoweb|date=30 May 2015}}

In July 2015, Lazio agreed to loan Strakosha to newly promoted Serie B side Salernitana.{{cite news|url=http://www.supersport.al/thomas-strakosha-zyrtarisht-te-salernitana/|title=Thomas Strakosha zyrtarisht te Salernitana|trans-title=Thomas Strakosha officially at Salernitana|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=sq|author=Sotir Kora|date=9 July 2015|accessdate=9 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711230532/http://www.supersport.al/thomas-strakosha-zyrtarisht-te-salernitana/|archive-date=11 July 2015}} He was allocated squad number 12, and made his professional debut on 9 August 2015 in the 1–0 win against Pisa for the 2015–16 Coppa Italia second round.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/08/09/italy/coppa-italia/salernitana-calcio-1919/pisa-calcio/2129578/|title=Salernitana vs. Pisa 1 – 0|publisher=Soccerway|date=9 August 2015|accessdate=9 August 2015}} A week after his debut, Strakosha played another Coppa Italia match, making several decisive saves and keeping his goal intact for 120 minutes as Salernitana won 1–0 against Chievo Verona to progress to the next round.{{cite news|url=http://minuta90.com/strakosha-vendimtar-salernitana-kualifikohet/|title=Strakosha vendimtar, Salernitana kualifikohet|trans-title=Strakosha decisive, Salernitana qualifies|publisher=minuta90.com|language=sq|date=17 August 2015|accessdate=17 August 2015}}

Strakosha made his league debut for Salernitana on 6 September in the opening 2015–16 Serie B match against Avellino where he managed to play the full 90-minutes match and his side won 3–1.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/09/06/italy/serie-b/salernitana-calcio-1919/us-avellino/2144885/|title=Salernitana vs. Avellino 3 – 1|publisher=Soccerway|date=6 September 2015|accessdate=6 September 2015}} He was an unused substitute in the next Coppa Italia game on 1 December 2015 against Spezia as the coach Vincenzo Torrente gave the starting place to Pietro Terracciano as Salernitana was eliminated from Coppa Italia, losing the game by 2–0.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/12/01/italy/coppa-italia/asd-spezia-calcio-2008/salernitana-calcio-1919/2140634/|title=Spezia vs. Salernitana 2 – 0|publisher=Soccerway|date=1 December 2015|accessdate=1 December 2015}}

In July 2016, following the loan's end, Strakosha returned to Lazio.{{cite news|url=http://www.gazetaexpress.com/sport/strakosha-rikthehet-te-lazio-te-kenaqur-me-inzaghin-228191/?archive=1|title=Strakosha rikthehet te Lazio: Të kënaqur me Inzaghin|trans-title=Strakosha returns to Lazio: Pleased with Inzaghi|publisher=Gazeta Express|language=sq|date=18 July 2016|accessdate=18 July 2016}} With the injury of Marchetti and the departure of Berisha to Atalanta, Strakosha was able to make his Lazio debut on 20 September in the league match against Milan.{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/milan-vs-lazio/2305798/report|title=Milan 2-0 Lazio: On-form Bacca scores again in Rossoneri victory|publisher=Goal.com|date=20 September 2016|accessdate=20 September 2016}} Despite the 2–0 defeat, Strakosha's performance was considered positive, being man of the match for Lazio.{{cite news|url=http://durreslajm.com/sport/strakosha-rr%C3%ABfen-emocionet-n%C3%AB-debutimin-ndaj-milanit|title=Strakosha rrëfen emocionet në debutimin ndaj Milanit|trans-title=Strakosha confesses the emotions in his debut against Milan|publisher=Durrës Lajm|language=sq|date=21 September 2016|accessdate=21 September 2016}} Five days later, Strakosha collected his first Serie A clean-sheet only in his second appearance in the 2–0 home win against Empoli, which led the 1982 FIFA World Cup-winner Dino Zoff to praise him by saying: "I can not judge him with only two matches played, but, according to me, he performed well in both matches."{{cite news|url=http://www.pressreader.com/|title=Elozhe nga Dino Xof: Strakosha, debutim pozitiv|trans-title=Praise from Dino Zoff: Strakosha, a positive debut|publisher=Press Reader|language=sq|date=29 September 2016|accessdate=29 September 2016}}

On 22 February 2017, Strakosha renewed his contract with Lazio until 2022.{{cite news|url=http://sportekspres.com/zyrtare-strakosha-rinovon-me-lacion/|title=Zyrtare, Strakosha rinovon me Lacion|trans-title=Official, Strakosha renew with Lazio|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=sq|date=22 February 2017|accessdate=22 February 2017}} He went on to play as starter until the end of the season, collecting 1844 minutes on field, as Lazio finished the championship in 5th position. He also contributed with 4 matches in the Coppa Italia, including the final, as Lazio was defeated by Juventus 2–0.{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2792644-cristiano-ronaldo-scoreless-in-juventus-2-0-win-over-lazio|title=Cristiano Ronaldo Scoreless in Juventus' 2-0 Win over Lazio|website=Bleacher Report }}

Strakosha started the 2017–18 season on 13 August 2017 by playing in the 2017 Supercoppa Italiana against Juventus, winning his maiden trophy as Lazio won 3–2 after a last-minute goal.{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2727248-lazio-stun-juventus-in-3-2-thriller-to-win-italian-super-cup|title=Lazio Stun Juventus in 3-2 Thriller to Win Italian Super Cup|publisher=Bleacher Report|author=Gianni Verschueren|date=13 August 2017|accessdate=13 August 2017}} Against the same opponent on 14 October, Strakosha saved Paulo Dybala's penalty in the 97th minute to rescue a 2–1 win for his team and to put Lazio in third position.{{Cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/juventus/2017/10/14/news/lazio_immobile_stakosha-178295051/|title = Juventus-Lazio 1-2: Immobile e Strakosha violano lo "Stadium"|date = 14 October 2017}} It was Strakosha's first Serie A penalty save and Juventus' first Serie A home defeat since August 2015. A week later, he agreed a contract extension, signing until June 2022. Later, he was named as the best young goalkeeper of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.sslazio.it/it/news/press-release-2/41990-comunicato-21-10-17|title=Comunicato 21.10.17|trans-title=Communication 21.10.17|publisher=ss.lazio.it|language=it|date=21 October 2017|accessdate=21 October 2017}}

On 14 July 2022, Strakosha signed a three-year contract with Premier League club Brentford.{{cite web|publisher=Brentford|url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2022/july/thomas-strakosha-signs-for-brentford/|title=THOMAS STRAKOSHA SIGNS FOR BRENTFORD|date=14 July 2022|access-date=14 July 2022}}

On 7 October 2023, he made his Premier League debut for Brentford in a 2–1 loss against Manchester United at Old Trafford.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66969161|title=Manchester United 2-1 Brentford|date=7 October 2023|publisher=BBC Sport}}

In July 2024, Strakosha moved to Super League Greece club AEK Athens on a free transfer.{{cite web |access-date=2024-07-09 |date=2024-07-08 |title=Strakosha joins AEK Athens |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/first-team-thomas-strakosha-aek-athens-transfer |website=brentfordfc.com.}} He signed a contract running until the summer of 2029, with an annual salary in the excess of €1.2 million per year.{{cite web|url=http://www.sport24.gr/football/thomas-strakosa-ayto-einai-to-chryso-symvolaioy-toy-29chronoy-gkolkiper-me-tin-aek.10347455.html|title=Θωμάς Στρακόσα: Αυτό είναι το χρυσό συμβόλαιο του Αλβανού γκολκίπερ με την ΑΕΚ |publisher=www.sport24.gr|date=8 July 2024|language=el}}

Strakosha was called up for the first time to Albania's U17 squad by coach Džemal Mustedanagić to participate in the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship elite round. He was an unused substitute for all three matches, serving as second choice goalkeeper behind Aldo Teqja.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2012/matches/index.html|title=Under-17 Matches|website= UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|access-date=10 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329185952/https://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2012/matches/index.html|archive-date=29 March 2012}}

Strakosha was called up to the Albania national under-19 football team to participate in the 2013 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification, coached by his father, Foto Strakosha.[http://albaniasoccer.com/lajme/shqiperi/kombetarja/moshat/6698-u-19-foto-strakosha-shpall-listen-per-ndeshjet-eleminatore-te-europianit.html U-19/ Foto Strakosha shpall listen per ndeshjet eleminatore te Europianit] AlbaniaSoccer Thomas played every minute of all three matches of the Group 7. Albania finished in the 4th place, with Strakosha conceding in total six goals, despite Albania beating top of the table Belgium 3–1 with goals from Enis Gavazaj, Elvis Kabashi and Lorenc Shehaj.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2009274--italy-vs-albania/|title=Under-19 - 2013 - Italy vs Albania|website= UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|access-date=10 April 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2009297--belgium-vs-albania/|title=Under-19 - 2013 - Belgium vs Albania|website=UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|access-date=10 April 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2009322--albania-vs-belarus/|title=Under-19 - 2013 - Albania vs Belarus|website=UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|access-date=10 April 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/international/europe/uefa-u19-championship/2012-2013/qualifying-round/group-7/g4970/|title=Summary - UEFA U19 Championship - Europe - Results, fixtures, tables and news|website=soccerway.com|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=10 April 2020}}

In the 2014 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification, Strakosha again played every minute in all three matches of the Group 6, leaving behind youth Juventus goalkeeper, Entonjo Elezaj.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/international/europe/uefa-u19-championship/20132014/qualifying-round/group-6/g6362/|title=Summary - UEFA U19 Championship - Europe - Results, fixtures, tables and news|website=soccerway.com|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=10 April 2020}}

Strakosha was called up to the U20 team by coach Skënder Gega for the 2013 Mediterranean Games football tournament, which began on 19 June, in Mersin, Turkey. However, Strakosha didn't participate in any match of the tournament.{{cite news|url=http://asport.al/lojerat-mesdhetare-shqiperia-merr-pjese-me-75-sportiste-lista-e-plote/|title=Lojërat Mesdhetare: Shqipëria merr pjesë me 75 sportistë (Lista e plotë)|publisher=aSport.al|language=sq|date=14 June 2013|accessdate=4 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513055440/http://asport.al/lojerat-mesdhetare-shqiperia-merr-pjese-me-75-sportiste-lista-e-plote/|archive-date=13 May 2016}}

File:Thomas Strakosha01.jpg in 2014]]

Strakosha was selected for the Albania U21 side that took part in the 2015 UEFA Euro Under-21 qualification. He played in half of all Group 4 matches (four of eight), as the four other matches were played by fellow goalkeepers, Aldo Teqja and Orestis Menka, who each played two matches.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/international/europe/uefa-u21-championship/2015-czech-republic/qualifying-round/group-4/g5862/|title=Summary - UEFA U21 Championship - Europe - Results, fixtures, tables and news|website=soccerway.com|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=10 April 2020}}

In the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification he retained his starting place playing overall 7 out 10 games for full 90 minutes under coach Redi Jupi. He missed out the opening match due to the injury, the closing match due to engagement with Albania senior team and was left on the bench for 1 game against Portugal U21 as Jupi wanted to test Teqja. Following the engagement of Amir Rrahmani with Albania senior team and then his departure to Kosovo national team in September 2016, Strakosha became the under-21 team's captain playing for his six last games.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/thoma-strakosha/235328/matches/|title=Thomas Strakosha matches |website=soccerway.com |publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=10 April 2020}}

Strakosha was called up for the first time to the senior Albania squad in August 2016 by coach Gianni De Biasi for the friendly match against Morocco on 31 August 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification opening match against North Macedonia on 5 September 2016 as a 4th choice keeper along Etrit Berisha, Orges Shehi and Alban Hoxha.{{cite news|url=http://www.fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/5167-de-biasi-duhet-te-japim-101-te-mundesive-tona|title=De Biasi: Duhet të japim 101 % të mundësive tona|trans-title=De Biasi: We have to give 101% of our chances|publisher=FSHF.org|language=sq|date=29 August 2016|accessdate=4 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003230228/http://www.fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/5167-de-biasi-duhet-te-japim-101-te-mundesive-tona|archive-date=3 October 2016}} However, he did not feature in both matches. He continued to be part of the team for the next matches, making his competitive debut on 24 March 2017 due to Berisha's suspension in the match against Italy as Albania trailed 2–0.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/italy-2-0-albania-gianluigi-10095058|title=Italy 2-0 Albania: Gianluigi Buffon's 1,000th career appearance nearly cut short by fan trouble|publisher=Mirror.co.uk|date=24 March 2017|accessdate=4 October 2016}} He went on to make another appearance in Albania's 3–0 win over Israel as Albania finished Group G in 3rd position with 13 points.{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/group=276499/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816010556/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/europe/group=276499/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 August 2015|title=Group G|website=FIFA.com|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=15 October 2016}}

In a 2017 interview, Strakosha stated that his main influences and his idol as a goalkeeper was his own father Foto Strakosha, whom he tries to imitate.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/karbonara-dhe-kartone-te-animuar-japoneze-thomas-strakosha-sfidon-bufonin/|title=Karbonara dhe kartonë të animuar japonezë, Thomas Strakosha sfidon Bufonin|trans-title=Carbonara and Japanese anime, Thomas Strakosha challenges Buffon|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|author=Jeton Stamolla|date=13 October 2017|accessdate=15 October 2016}}

Strakosha was born in Athens, Greece and he holds dual citizenship for Greece and Albania.{{cite web |title=Η ΑΕΚ έκλεισε το deal για Στρακόσια, ανακοινώνει και Μπρινιόλι |url=https://www.amna.gr/sport/article/831063/I-AEK-ekleise-to-deal-gia-Strakosia--anakoinonei-kai-Mprinioli |website=amna |access-date=30 August 2024}} His father, Foto, played as a goalkeeper for two Albanian clubs and several Greek clubs, in addition to representing the Albania national team in the years spanning 1990–2005.{{cite news|url=http://gazetadita.al/foto-strakosha-krenar-per-djalin-tim/|title=Foto Strakosha: Krenar për djalin tim|trans-title=Foto Strakosha: Proud for my son|publisher=Gazeta Dita|language=sq|author=Dritan Ikonomi|date=6 April 2013|accessdate=4 October 2016}}

{{updated|match played 28 February 2025}}{{Soccerway|235328|Thomas Strakosha|accessdate=7 January 2023}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 24 March 2025}}{{NFT player |67540 |name=Thomas Strakosha |access-date=5 October 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=29779 |title=Thomas Strakosha |website=EU-Football.info |access-date=27 September 2022}}

Lazio{{Soccerway|235328|Thomas Strakosha|accessdate=7 January 2023}}

• Coppa Italia: 2012–13, 2018–19
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2017, 2019

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{{AEK Athens F.C. squad}}

{{Albania squad UEFA Euro 2024}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Strakosha, Thomas}}

Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Memaliaj

Category:Sportspeople from Gjirokastër County

Category:Albanian men's footballers

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