Agim Zeka
{{short description|Albanian footballer (born 1998)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Agim Zeka
|image =
|image_size =
|caption =
|fullname = Agim Sali Zeka{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/presidenti-nishani-nenshtetesi-5-talenteve-te-u-17/|title=Presidenti Nishani, nënshtetësi 5 talenteve të U-17|trans-title=President Nishani, citizenship of 5 U-17 talents|language=Albanian|publisher=Panorama Sport|date=21 February 2014}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|9|6|df=y}}
|birth_place = Pristina, FR Yugoslavia{{cite news|url=https://telegrafi.com/agim-zeka-djaloshi-nga-prishtina-qe-po-cmend-te-gjithe-golat-e-tij-fanellen-kuqezi-video/|title=Agim Zeka, djaloshi nga Prishtina që po çmend të gjithë me golat e tij me fanellën kuqezi (Video)|trans-title=Agim Zeka, the guy from Prishtina who is driving everyone crazy with his goals with the red and black jersey (Video)|language=Albanian|publisher=Telegrafi|date=11 October 2016}}
|height = 1.83 m{{Soccerway}}
|position = Right winger
|currentclub = Partizani
|clubnumber = 11
|youthyears1 = 2004–2016
|youthclubs1 = Prishtina
|youthyears2 = 2015
|youthclubs2 = → KEK (loan)
|youthyears3 = 2016
|youthclubs3 = Skënderbeu Korçë
|years1 = 2016–2017
|clubs1 = Skënderbeu Korçë
|caps1 = 3
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2017–2020
|clubs2 = Lille B
|caps2 = 24
|goals2 = 1
|years3 = 2018
|clubs3 = → Varzim (loan)
|caps3 = 2
|goals3 = 1
|years4 = 2018–2019
|clubs4 = → Leixões (loan)
|caps4 = 3
|goals4 = 0
|years5 = 2019
|clubs5 = → Fortuna Sittard (loan)
|caps5 = 5
|goals5 = 1
|years6 = 2020–2021
|clubs6 = Mouscron
|caps6 = 0
|goals6 = 0
|years7 = 2021
|clubs7 = Austria Wien
|caps7 = 11
|goals7 = 1
|years8 = 2021–2022
|clubs8 = Drita
|caps8 = 6
|goals8 = 0
|years9 = 2022
|clubs9 = Prishtina
|caps9 = 9
|goals9 = 1
|years10 = 2022–2023
|clubs10 = Drenica
|caps10 = 25
|goals10 = 3
|years11 = 2023–2024
|clubs11 = Erzeni
|caps11 = 34
|goals11 = 5
|years12 = 2024–
|clubs12 = Partizani
|caps12 = 30
|goals12 = 2
|nationalyears1 = 2014
|nationalteam1 = Albania U17
|nationalcaps1 = 3
|nationalgoals1 = 1
|nationalyears2 = 2016
|nationalteam2 = Albania U19
|nationalcaps2 = 3
|nationalgoals2 = 3
|nationalyears3 = 2017
|nationalteam3 = Albania U20
|nationalcaps3 = 1
|nationalgoals3 = 0
|nationalyears4 = 2017–2019
|nationalteam4 = Albania U21
|nationalcaps4 = 2
|nationalgoals4 = 0
|club-update = 1 November 2024
|nationalteam-update = 6 June 2019
}}
Agim Sali Zeka (born 6 September 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Partizani. Born in Yugoslavia, he represented Albania at youth level.
Club career
=Early career and Skënderbeu Korçë=
Zeka at the age of six started playing football in Prishtina, where he has played in all age groups. In January 2015, due to ignorance by the Prishtina's staff, Zeka was loaned to the youth team of KEK, where after the end of the loan, he returned to Prishtina until January 2016, where he joined the U19 team of the Albanian club Skënderbeu Korçë.{{cite news|url=https://gazetaolle.com/zbulohet-e-verteta-e-hidhur-ja-pse-u-largua-agim-zeka-nga-prishtina-video/|title=Zbulohet e vërteta e hidhur: Ja pse u largua Agim Zeka nga Prishtina (VIDEO)|trans-title=The bitter truth is revealed: This is why Agim Zeka left Prishtina (VIDEO)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530224019/http://gazetaolle.com/zbulohet-e-verteta-e-hidhur-ja-pse-u-largua-agim-zeka-nga-prishtina-video/|language=Albanian|website=Gazeta Olle|date=1 February 2017|archive-date=30 May 2019}} On 21 February 2016, Zeka made his debut with Skënderbeu Korçë U19 in a league match against Besa Kavajë U19 after coming on as a substitute at 42nd minute in place of Andis Foto and scored his side's second goal during a 9–0 home win.{{cite web|url=https://fshf.org/garat/?query=info&match_id=181040|title=KF Skënderbeu 9:0 FC Besa|language=Albanian|publisher=Albanian Football Association|date=21 February 2016}}
==Promotion to the first team==
In 2016–17 season, Zeka is promoted to the first team of Skënderbeu Korçë, which competed in the Kategoria Superiore, which is the top tier of football in the country. On 28 September 2016, he made his debut with Skënderbeu Korçë in the 2016–17 Albanian Cup first round against Butrinti after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite news|url=https://newsport.al/skenderbeu-ndalet-ne-sarande-por-shkelqen-perforcimi-bardheblu/|title=Skënderbeu ndalet në Sarandë, por shkëlqen përforcimi bardheblu|trans-title=Skënderbeu stops in Saranda, but the white and blue reinforcement shines|language=Albanian|website=NewSport|date=28 September 2016}}
=Lille B=
On 31 January 2017, Zeka signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Championnat de France Amateur club Lille B.{{cite web|url=https://www.losc.fr/content/avec-zeka-le-losc-pense-%c3%a0-l%e2%80%99avenir|title=Avec Zeka, le LOSC prépare l'avenir|trans-title=With Zeka, LOSC prepares for the future|language=French|publisher=Lille OSC|date=31 January 2017}} Lille B reportedly paid a €300K transfer fee to Skënderbeu Korçë and also the later kept 20% of his card.{{cite news|url=http://sportekspres.com/agim-zeka-zyrtarizohet-te-lila-tjeter-sukses-per-skenderbeun/|title=Agim Zeka zyrtarizohet te Lila, tjetër sukses për Skënderbeun|trans-title=Agim Zeka is made official at Lille, another success for Skënderbeu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910130045/http://sportekspres.com/agim-zeka-zyrtarizohet-te-lila-tjeter-sukses-per-skenderbeun/|language=Albanian|publisher=Sport Ekspres|date=31 January 2017|archive-date=10 September 2017}} Four days later, he made his debut in a 0–1 home defeat against L'Entente after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/02/04/france/cfa/lille-osc-ii/entente-sannois-saint-gratien/2293346/|title=Lille B vs. Entente SSG 0–1|website=Soccerway|access-date=4 February 2021}}
==Loan to Varzim==
On 9 January 2018, Zeka joined LigaPro side Varzim, on a season-long loan.{{cite news|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/segunda-liga/agim-zeka/oficial-lille-empresta-medio-ao-varzim|title=OFICIAL: Lille empresta médio ao Varzim|trans-title=OFFICER: Lille loans midfielder to Varzim|language=Portuguese|website=Maisfutebol|date=9 January 2018}} Five days later, he made his debut in a 2–1 away defeat against Vitória Guimarães B after coming on as a substitute at 83rd minute in place of Mário Sérgio.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2018/01/14/portugal/liga-de-honra/vitoria-guimaraes-ii/varzim-sc/2501604/|title=Vitória Guimarães II vs. Varzim 2–1|website=Soccerway|access-date=14 January 2018}} One month after debut, Zeka scored his first goal for Varzim in his second appearance for the club in a 2–3 away win over Penafiel in LigaPro.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2018/02/10/portugal/liga-de-honra/futebol-clube-de-penafiel/varzim-sc/2501644/|title=Penafiel vs. Varzim 2–3|website=Soccerway|access-date=10 February 2018}}
==Loan to Leixões==
On 8 August 2018, Zeka joined LigaPro side Leixões, on a season-long loan.{{cite news|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Lille-prete-encore-agim-zeka/928967|title=Lille prête encore Agim Zeka|trans-title=Lille ready yet Agim Zeka|language=French|publisher=L'Équipe|date=8 August 2018}} Three days later, he made his debut in a 2–1 away defeat against Benfica B after coming on as a substitute at 73rd minute in place of Erivaldo.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2018/08/11/portugal/liga-de-honra/benfica-b/leixoes/2826212/|title=Benfica B vs. Leixões 2–1|website=Soccerway|access-date=11 August 2018}}
==Loan to Fortuna Sittard==
On 28 January 2019, Zeka joined Eredivisie side Fortuna Sittard, on a season-long loan.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/3079396/fortuna-haalt-albanese-aanvaller-zeka|title=Fortuna haalt Albanese aanvaller Zeka|trans-title=Fortuna gets Albanian attacker Zeka|language=Dutch|publisher=De Telegraaf|date=28 January 2019}} Fourteen days later, he made his debut, but with U21 team in a 0–2 home defeat against PEC Zwolle U21 after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite news|url=https://www.besoccer.com/match/fortuna-sittard-sub23/pec-zwolle-sub23/2019541440|title=Fortuna Sittard Sub 21 vs PEC Zwolle Sub 21|website=BeSoccer|access-date=11 February 2019}} On 12 May 2019, he made his first team debut in a 3–0 away defeat against Groningen after coming on as a substitute at 76th minute in place of Mark Diemers.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2019/05/12/netherlands/eredivisie/stichting-fc-groningen/fortuna-sittard/2794232/|title=Groningen vs. Fortuna Sittard 3–0|website=Soccerway|access-date=12 May 2019}}
=Mouscron=
On 1 August 2020, Lille B announced the transfer of Zeka to Belgian side Mouscron.{{cite web|url=https://www.losc.fr/actualites-foot-lille/%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Bagim-zeka-s%E2%80%99en-va-%C3%A0-mouscron|title=Agim Zeka s'en va à Mouscron|trans-title=Agim Zeka goes to Mouscron|language=French|publisher=Lille OSC|date=1 August 2020}} In same day later, the club confirmed that he had joined on a one-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.excel-foot.be/2020/08/01/agim-zeka-est-au-canonnier/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804075445/https://www.excel-foot.be/2020/08/01/agim-zeka-est-au-canonnier/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=4 August 2020|title=Agim Zeka est au Canonnier|trans-title=Agim Zeka is at the Gunner|language=French|publisher=Royal Excel Mouscron|date=1 August 2020}} He was named as a Mouscron substitute, twice in August for league games against Antwerp (seven days after joining),{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2020/08/08/belgium/pro-league/royal-antwerp-fc/rrc-peruwelz/3323515/|title=Antwerp vs. Excel Mouscron 1–1|website=Soccerway|access-date=8 August 2020}} and Mechelen (six days later),{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2020/08/14/belgium/pro-league/rrc-peruwelz/kv-mechelen/3323523/|title=Excel Mouscron vs. Mechelen 0–1|website=Soccerway|access-date=14 August 2020}} but was an unused substitute in these matches which were the last he was called up by the team.
=Austria Wien=
On 20 January 2021, Zeka joined Austrian Bundesliga side Austria Wien and received squad number 23.{{cite web|url=https://www.fk-austria.at/de/n/news/2021/01/austria-verpflichtet-offensivspieler-agim-zeka/|title=Austria verpflichtet Offensivspieler Agim Zeka|trans-title=Austria signs offensive player Agim Zeka|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128095659/https://www.fk-austria.at/de/n/news/2021/01/austria-verpflichtet-offensivspieler-agim-zeka/|language=German|publisher=FK Austria Wien|date=20 January 2021|archive-date=28 January 2021}} Seventeen days later, he made his debut with Austria Wien in the 2020–21 Austrian Cup quarter-finals against Red Bull Salzburg after coming on as a substitute at 86th minute in place of Stephan Zwierschitz.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/02/06/austria/ofb-stiegl-cup/fc-red-bull-salzburg/fk-austria-memphis-magna/3433391/|title=Salzburg vs. Austria Vienna 2–0|website=Soccerway|access-date=6 February 2021}} Zeka made his first Austrian Bundesliga appearance four days later after coming on as a substitute at 82nd minute in place of Andreas Poulsen in a 3–1 away defeat again against Red Bull Salzburg.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/02/10/austria/bundesliga/fc-red-bull-salzburg/fk-austria-memphis-magna/3341959/|title=Salzburg vs. Austria Vienna 3–1|website=Soccerway|access-date=10 February 2021}}
=Spells in Kosovo=
On 1 August 2021, Zeka signed a two-year contract with Football Superleague of Kosovo club Drita.{{cite news|url=https://gazetaolle.com/drita-shperthen-bomben-zyrtarizojne-agim-zeken/|title=Drita shpërthen 'bombën', zyrtarizojnë Agim Zekën|trans-title=The light explodes the 'bomb', make Agim Zeka official|language=Albanian|website=Gazeta Olle|date=1 August 2021}} In January 2022, he then moved to fellow league club FC Prishtina.[https://www.facebook.com/FCPrishtina/posts/10160327146113538/?locale=hi_IN&paipv=0&eav=Afakk6cRPC7MFO1D3jg-NecksdwPQsz4ZzUDp9JOSE5wtSMS-UH5kDrHcOaHVrtLkHA&_rdr Agim Zeka rikthehet në shtëpi...], facebook.com, 20 January 2022 On September 6, 2022, Zeka moved to KF Drenica.[https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1865563443787074&id=141509402859162 Agim Zeka, mirë se erdhe në familjën Kuq e Zi 🦅❤️🖤...], facebook.com, 2 September 2022
International career
=Under-17=
On 6 October 2014, Zeka was named as part of the Albania U17 squad for 2015 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifications.{{cite web|url=https://fshf.org/sq/kombetarja-u-17-gati-per-eliminatoret/|title=Kombëtarja U-17, gati per Eliminatoret|trans-title=National U-17 team, ready for the Eliminators|language=Albanian|publisher=Albanian Football Association|date=6 October 2014}} Two days later, he made his debut with Albania U17 in a match against Norway U17 after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=https://fshf.org/garat/?query=info&match_id=172610|title=Norvegji U17 3:0 Shqipëri U17|trans-title=Norway U17 3:0 Albania U17|language=Albanian|publisher=Albanian Football Association|date=8 October 2014}} Five days after debut, Zeka scored his first goal for Albania U17 in his third appearance for the country in a 5–1 home win over San Marino U17.{{cite web|url=https://fshf.org/garat/?query=info&match_id=172614|title=Shqipëri U17 5:1 San Marino U17|trans-title=Albania U17 5:1 San Marino U17|language=Albanian|publisher=Albanian Football Association|date=13 October 2014}}
=Under-19=
On 30 September 2016, Zeka was named as part of the Albania U19 squad for 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifications.{{cite web|url=http://fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/5213-grumbullohet-ekipi-kombetar-u-19|title=Grumbullohet ekipi kombëtar U-19|trans-title=The national U-19 team is assembled|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819070609/http://fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/5213-grumbullohet-ekipi-kombetar-u-19|language=Albanian|publisher=Albanian Football Association|date=30 September 2016|archive-date=19 August 2017}} Six days later, he made his debut with Albania U19 in a match against Republic of Ireland U19 after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/06/europe/uefa-u19-championship/albania-under-19/ireland-republic-under-19/2173261/|title=Albania U19 vs. Republic of Ireland U19 0–1|website=Soccerway|access-date=6 October 2016}} Two days after debut, Zeka scored his first goals for Albania U19 in his second appearance for the country in a 2–3 home defeat over Germany U19,{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/08/europe/uefa-u19-championship/germany-under-19/albania-under-19/2173258/|title=Germany U19 vs. Albania U19 3–2|website=Soccerway|access-date=8 October 2016}} he had the same fate three days later when scored a goal in a 1–0 home minimal win over Gibraltar U19.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/11/europe/uefa-u19-championship/gibraltar-u19/albania-under-19/2173263/|title=Gibraltar U19 vs. Albania U19 0–1|website=Soccerway|access-date=11 October 2016}}
=Under-21 and Under-20=
On 2 June 2017, Zeka received an urgent call-up from Albania U21 for the friendly match against France U21 and 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification opening match against Estonia U21 to replace one of the three injured players.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/tronditet-kombetarja-u-21-demtohen-tre-titullare-thirren-me-urgjence-lushkja-dhe-zeka/|title=Tronditet kombëtarja U-21, dëmtohen tre titullarë. Thirren me urgjencë Lushkja dhe Zeka|trans-title=The national U-21 team is shaken, three starters are injured. Lushkja and Zeka are called urgently|language=Albanian|publisher=Panorama Sport|date=2 June 2017}} Three days later, he made his debut with Albania U21 in friendly match against France U21 after coming on as a substitute at 52nd minute in place of Elvir Maloku.{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/report/u21-h-freundschaft-2017-juni-albanien-frankreich/|title=Albania–France 0:3 (U21 Friendlies 2017, June)|website=WorldFootball|access-date=5 June 2017}} Five month later, Zeka received a call-up from Albania U20 for the friendly match against Georgia U20,{{cite web|url=https://fshf.org/sq/u-21-bushi-ne-konference-per-shtyp/|title=U-21, Bushi ne konference per shtyp|trans-title=U-21, Bushi at the press conference|language=Albanian|publisher=Albanian Football Association|date=6 November 2017}} and made his debut after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=https://fshf.org/sq/u-20-humbet-ndeshjen-miqesore-ne-gjeorgji/|title=U-20, humbet ndeshjen miqësore në Gjeorgji|trans-title=U-20, loses friendly match in Georgia|language=Albanian|publisher=Albanian Football Association|date=14 November 2017}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|1 August 2021|}}
| 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"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Skënderbeu Korçë
|3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="2"|Lille B
|rowspan="2"|Championnat National 2 |11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18
|9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 0 | ||
| Varzim (loan)
|rowspan="2"|LigaPro |2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 1 | ||
| Leixões (loan)
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="2"|Fortuna Sittard (loan)
|rowspan="2"|Eredivisie |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=U21|All appearance(s) with Fortuna Sittard U21}} | 2 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2019–20
|4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4{{efn|name=U21}} | 2 | 9 | 3 | |
| rowspan="2"|Lille B
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!37 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 51 | 6 | |
| Mouscron
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="2"|Austria Wien
|10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in 2020–21 Austrian Bundesliga Europa Conference League play-offs}} | 0 | 12 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 1 | |
| Drita
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!47 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 63 | 7 |
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
{{FK Partizani Tirana squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zeka, Agim}}
Category:Footballers from Pristina
Category:Albanian men's footballers
Category:Albania men's youth international footballers
Category:Albania men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Albanian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in France
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Portugal
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Austria
Category:Kosovan men's footballers
Category:Kosovan expatriate men's footballers
Category:Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in France
Category:Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands
Category:Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in Austria
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Kategoria Superiore players
Category:KF Skënderbeu Korçë players
Category:Championnat National 2 players
Category:Liga Portugal 2 players
Category:Fortuna Sittard players
Category:Belgian Pro League players
Category:Royal Excel Mouscron players
Category:Austrian Football Bundesliga players
Category:FK Austria Wien players
Category:Football Superleague of Kosovo players