Almen Abdi

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Almen Abdi

| image = Watford v Birmingham (4).jpg

| caption = Abdi at Watford, 2015

| fullname = Almen Abdi{{cite web|title=Player Details: Almen Abdi|url=http://www.enfa.co.uk/|work=The English National Football Archive|publisher=SoccerData|access-date=30 May 2013}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|10|21|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/almen-abdi-229522/ |title=Almen Abdi|website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=16 July 2018}}

| birth_place = Prizren, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia (modern Kosovo)

| height = 1.80m

| position = Attacking midfielder

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 1994–2003

| youthclubs1 = Zürich

| years1 = 2003–2009

| clubs1 = Zürich

| caps1 = 132

| goals1 = 31

| years2 = 2009–2010

| clubs2 = Le Mans

| caps2 = 13

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2010–2013

| clubs3 = Udinese

| caps3 = 42

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2012–2013

| clubs4 = → Watford (loan)

| caps4 = 38

| goals4 = 12

| years5 = 2013–2016

| clubs5 = Watford

| caps5 = 77

| goals5 = 13

| years6 = 2016–2019

| clubs6 = Sheffield Wednesday

| caps6 = 20

| goals6 = 1

| totalcaps = 322

| totalgoals = 57

| nationalyears1 = 2007–2008

| nationalteam1 = Switzerland U21

| nationalcaps1 = 5

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2008–2009

| nationalteam2 = Switzerland

| nationalcaps2 = 6

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| club-update =

| nationalteam-update =

}}

Almen Abdi (born 21 October 1986{{cite web|title=Almen Abdi|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur27530.html|work=L'Équipe|access-date=4 May 2012|language=fr}}) is a retired Swiss footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He has previously played for Zürich, Le Mans, Udinese, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday. He has also been capped by the Switzerland national team.

Career

=Zürich=

File:Abdi01 (cropped).jpg]]

Abdi started his football career at Zürich, where he joined the youth academy in 1993 and came through the ranks.{{cite web |url=https://www.dbfcz.ch/spieler.php?spieler_id=13 |title=Almen Abdi |website=dbFCZ |access-date=13 January 2023}} He made his professional debut at age seventeen in the 2003–04 season, coming on as a substitute for Arthur Petrosyan in the 89th minute, in a 2–1 loss against Basel. Throughout his first three seasons at Zürich, Abdi featured little, and mostly remained a bench player. However, the 2006–07 season was Abdi's breakthrough season, making more appearances than ever and establishing himself as a first team starter. During the 2006–07 season, Abdi would make his Champions League debut in the second qualification round against Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg, after coming on as a substitute. He scored his first league goal on 29 July 2006, in a 2–0 win over Schaffhausen.

Abdi was part of the 2005–06, 2006–07 and 2008–09 Swiss Championship winning Zürich squad. He was awarded an improved contract in June 2006 which would last until the summer of 2010{{Citation needed|date=April 2013}}. Having finished as the club's top goalscorer in the 2008–09 league campaign with 19 goals and adding an impressive 12 assists, Abdi was not only named the best midfielder in the Swiss Super League,{{cite news|title=Almen Abdi footballer and hockey Reto von Arx honored at Biel|trans-title=Le footballeur Almen Abdi et le hockeyeur Reto von Arx honorés à Bienne|url=http://www.rfj.ch/rfj/actualite/sportive/070909le-footballeur-almen-abdi-et-le-hockeyeur-reto-von-arx-honores-a-bienne.html|publisher=RFJ|language=fr|date=9 July 2009|access-date=6 April 2013}} but also presented with the season's Best Swiss Player Award.{{cite news|title=2008/09 – Swiss Golden Player Award|url=http://www.goldenplayer.ch/Last-Years/2008-09|publisher=Golden Player|language=de|access-date=7 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503201958/http://www.goldenplayer.ch/Last-Years/2008-09|archive-date=3 May 2013|df=dmy-all}} In the 2009–10 season, Abdi was dropped to the FC Zürich reserve team in November 2009, alongside teammate Andrés Vasquez, with FC Zürich stating they were planning for the future without the duo.{{cite web|title=Zürich drop midfield duo|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01df-0e73507ed328-a29d411a029b-1000--zurich-drop-midfield-duo/|publisher=UEFA|access-date=4 May 2012|date=10 November 2009}}{{cite news|title=FC Zurich Drop Almen Abdi & Andres Vasquez|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1716/champions-league/2009/11/11/1617930/fc-zurich-drop-almen-abdi-andres-vasquez|publisher=Goal|date=11 November 2009|access-date=7 April 2013}}

=Le Mans=

In January 2010, Abdi was transferred to Le Mans on a six-month contract with the option to extend it at a later date, should the club remain in Ligue 1.{{cite web|title=Almen Abdi au MUC 72|url=http://www.lemansfc.fr/actualite/almen-abdi-au-muc-72-4041.html|publisher=Le Mans FC|access-date=4 May 2012|language=fr|date=3 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107103633/http://www.lemansfc.fr/actualite/almen-abdi-au-muc-72-4041.html|archive-date=7 January 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|title=Abdi to leave Zürich for Le Mans|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=932428.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929182230/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=932428.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 September 2014|publisher=UEFA|access-date=4 May 2012|date=9 December 2009}} However, Le Mans failed to avoid relegation to Ligue 2 at the end of the campaign, with Abdi making a total of 13 appearances.

=Udinese=

In April 2010, Abdi confirmed that he would be joining Udinese in the summer once he became a free agent.{{cite web|last=D'Andrea|first=Rick|title=Former Zurich Midfielder Almen Abdi Ready To Sign For Udinese|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2010/04/07/1868468/former-zurich-midfielder-almen-abdi-ready-to-sign-for|publisher=Goal|access-date=4 May 2012|date=7 April 2010}} In Udine, he made 19 appearances during the 2010–11 season, most of them coming from the bench. The following campaign saw Abdi score his first goal for the Friulian club in the Europa League on 29 September 2011, converting the penalty to equalise against Celtic at Celtic Park.{{cite web|last=McGuire|first=Annie|title=Celtic 1–1 Udinese|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15014638|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=4 May 2012|date=29 September 2011}} Shortly after, there was a rumour of Abdi making a return to Zürich.{{cite news|title=Almen Abdi Returns to FCZ back?|trans-title=Kehrt Almen Abdi zum FCZ zurück?|url=http://www.blick.ch/sport/fussball/international/kehrt-almen-abdi-zum-fcz-zurueck-id1681270.html|work=Blick|language=de|date=6 December 2011|access-date=7 April 2013}} But Abdi denied any rumour of him being linked to Zürich, insisting he felt fine and settled at Udinese.{{cite news|title=Udinese, Abdi: "Return to Zurich?'m Fine here"|trans-title=Udinese, Abdi: "Tornare allo Zurigo? Sto bene qui"|url=http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/udinese-abdi-tornare-allo-zurigo-sto-bene-qui-313198|publisher=Tutto Mercato Web|language=it|date=7 December 2011|access-date=7 April 2013}}

=Watford=

In July 2012, Abdi trained with Watford with a view to a possible loan. He featured in the Championship side's first three pre-season friendlies,{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Frank|title=Loan trio expected to remain|url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9823920.Loan_trio_expected_to_remain_for_the_season|work=Watford Observer|access-date=26 July 2012|date=17 July 2012}} and later joined the club on a season-long loan for the 2012–13.[http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2865682,00.html "Official: Hornets delighted with a magnificent seven signings"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802115016/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10400~2865682%2C00.html |date=2 August 2012 }}. Watford Football Club. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012. Abdi scored his first goal for Watford on his league debut against Crystal Palace on 18 August 2012.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19221446 |title=Crystal Palace 2–3 Watford |publisher=BBC |date=18 August 2012 |access-date=21 August 2012}} In November 2012, Abdi soon injured his shoulder, dislocating it in the process.{{cite news|title=Watford's Almen Abdi suffers shoulder dislocation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20326816|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 November 2012|access-date=7 April 2013}} Following four weeks of regeneration, he returned to the bench and came on as a substitute during the 2–1 home loss against Hull City on 8 December 2012. Abdi made it three league goals in as many games with his effort against Birmingham City on 16 February 2013, taking his total goal tally to 9. Abdi had netted in the previous two games against Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace. Abdi then scored his 10th goal of the season with a sumptuous free kick in a 1–1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on 1 March 2013. Towards the end of the season, Abdi reportedly stated his desire to remain at Watford on a permanent basis, having become the club's fan favorite.{{cite news|title=Almen Abdi confident Watford can secure automatic promotion|url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/10214907.Abdi_wants_to_stay_at_Watford/|publisher=Watford Observer|date=11 February 2013|access-date=7 April 2013}} In early May 2013, he picked up the Hornets' Player of the Season award.{{cite news|title=Almen Abdi named Watford's Player of the Season and Cristian Battocchio scores top goal|url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/10401076.Updated__Abdi_is_Player_of_the_Season/|publisher=Watford Observer|date=5 May 2013|access-date=20 July 2013}}

On 19 July 2013, Watford confirmed that Abdi had signed a three-year deal on a permanent basis.{{cite news|title=Watford sign Almen Abdi, Cristian Battocchio, Gabriele Angella, Diego Fabbrini, Javier Acuna, Marco Davide Faraoni, Marco Cassetti and Daniel Pudil|url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/10559634.Eight_sign_permanent_deals_at_Watford/|publisher=Watford Observer|date=19 July 2013|access-date=20 July 2013}} In August 2013, he developed a severe case of plantar fasciitis (a foot disease), which kept him out of action for several months.{{cite web|title=Watford's head of medical says there is no time frame on Almen Abdi's return|url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/10777737.No_time_frame_on_Abdi_return/|publisher=Watford Observer|date=1 November 2013|access-date=1 November 2013}} Abdi made his long-awaited comeback as a 75th-minute substitute in a 2–0 FA Cup third round replay victory over Bristol City on 14 January 2014. Abdi then made his league return four days later, as a first-half substitute against AFC Bournemouth on 18 January 2014, coming on for the injured Iriney.

Making his first league start for seven months, Abdi scored for Watford in a 3–0 home win over Leeds United on 8 April 2014.

On 30 August 2014, Abdi scored his first ever brace for the club at Vicarage Road as Watford beat Huddersfield Town 4–2, with Abdi providing the goals to make it 2–1 and 4–2 respectively as well as registering an assist in the same game.{{cite web|url=http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/140830-watford-v-huddersfield-town-report-1884164.aspx |title=REPORT: Watford FC 4-2 Huddersfield Town |access-date=2014-09-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220180338/http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/140830-watford-v-huddersfield-town-report-1884164.aspx |archive-date=20 December 2014 }}

=Sheffield Wednesday=

On 28 July 2016, Abdi joined Championship side Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news|title=Almen Abdi & Daniel Pudil: Sheffield Wednesday sign Watford pair|publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36919248|access-date=28 July 2016}}

He was released by Sheffield Wednesday at the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48168340|title=Sheffield Wednesday: George Boyd & Gary Hooper among six players released|date=5 May 2019|access-date=9 May 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}

International career

He made his senior Switzerland international debut against Cyprus on 20 August 2008. He was eligible for the Albania national team and the Kosovo national team as well but chose Switzerland.

Personal life

On 24 April 2011, Abdi was targeted by burglars and his possessions were stolen.{{cite news|title=robbed Abdi!|trans-title=Abdi ausgeraubt!|url=http://www.blick.ch/sport/fussball/international/serie-a/abdi-ausgeraubt-id74216.html|work=Blick|language=de|date=24 April 2011|access-date=7 April 2013}} He is good friends with compatriot and ex-Udinese teammate Gökhan Inler.{{cite news|title=Almen Abdi: "Gokhan Inler helps me a lot in Udinese»|trans-title=Almen Abdi: "Gökhan Inler hilft mir viel in Udinese"|url=http://www.blick.ch/sport/fussball/international/serie-a/almen-abdi-goekhan-inler-hilft-mir-viel-in-udinese-id57608.html|work=Blick|language=de|date=28 August 2010|access-date=6 April 2013}} He is an ethnic Bosniaks from Prizren, Kosovo whose family is of Muslim faith.

Career statistics

{{updated|match played|15 May 2016}}{{cite web|title=Almen Abdi|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=52368|website=Soccerbase|access-date=9 March 2016}}

rowspan=2\|Club !rowspan=2\|Season !colspan=3\|League !colspan=2\|Cup !colspan=2\|League Cup !colspan=2\|Other !colspan=2\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan=8\|Zürich \|2003–04 \|Swiss Super League \|12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	12	0
2004–05 \|Swiss Super League \|9	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
2005–06 \|Swiss Super League \|10	0	1	1	0	0	2	0	13	1
2006–07 \|Swiss Super League \|30	5	5	4	0	0	1	0	36	9
2007–08 \|Swiss Super League \|31	7	2	1	0	0	2	0	35	7
2008–09 \|Swiss Super League \|32	19	2	1	0	0	4	1	37	21
2009–10 \|Swiss Super League \|8	0	2	1	0	0	4	1	15	2
colspan=2\|Total !132	31	14	8	0	0	13	2	159	41
Le Mans \|2009–10 \|Ligue 1 \|13	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	14	0
rowspan=3\|Udinese \|2010–11 \|Serie A \|19	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	21	0
2011–12 \|Serie A \|23	0	1	0	0	0	9	1	33	1
colspan=2\|Total !42	0	3	0	0	0	9	1	54	1
rowspan=5\|Watford \|2012–13 \|Championship \|38	12	0	0	2	0	3	0	43	12
2013–14 \|Championship \|13	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	15	2
2014–15 \|Championship \|32	9	1	0	0	0	0	0	33	9
2015–16 \|Premier League \|32	2	5	0	1	0	0	0	38	1
colspan=2\|Total !115	25	8	0	3	0	3	0	129	24
colspan=3\|Career total !302	56	26	8	3	0	25	3	356	66