Arb Manaj
{{Short description|Kosovar footballer (born 1998)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Arb Manaj
|image =
|image_size =
|caption =
|fullname =
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|7|23|df=y}}
|birth_place = Klina, FR Yugoslavia{{cite news|url=https://www.klina.info/futbollisti-klinas-arb-manaj-debuton-me-perfaqesuesen-e-kosoves/|title=Futbollisti Klinas Arb Manaj debuton me përfaqësuesen e Kosovës|trans-title=Klina's footballer Arb Manaj debuts with Kosovo national team|language=Albanian|website=Klina.info|date=12 January 2020|access-date=12 January 2020}}
|height = 1.88 m{{WorldFootball.net}}
|position = Centre-forward
|currentclub = Drita
|clubnumber = 9
|youthyears1 = 2004–2015
|youthclubs1 = Dukagjini
|years1 = 2015–2017
|clubs1 = Dukagjini
|caps1 = +11
|goals1 = 5
|years2 = 2017–2020
|clubs2 = Trepça '89
|caps2 = 53
|goals2 = 24
|years3 = 2020–2022
|clubs3 = Ankara Keçiörengücü
|caps3 = 17
|goals3 = 4
|years4 = 2021
|clubs4 = → Balıkesirspor (loan)
|caps4 = 14
|goals4 = 6
|years5 = 2021–2022
|clubs5 = → Bandırmaspor (loan)
|caps5 = 13
|goals5 = 1
|years6 = 2022–2023
|clubs6 = Slaven Belupo
|caps6 = 23
|goals6 = 1
|years7 = 2023–2024
|clubs7 = Ballkani
|caps7 = 4
|goals7 = 1
|years8 = 2024–
|clubs8 = Drita
|caps8 = 18
|goals8 = 6
|years9 = 2024
|clubs9 = → Zhenis (loan)
|caps9 = 12
|goals9 = 2
|nationalyears1 = 2020
|nationalteam1 = Kosovo U21
|nationalcaps1 = 1
|nationalgoals1 = 0
|nationalyears2 = 2020–2021
|nationalteam2 = Kosovo
|nationalcaps2 = 3
|nationalgoals2 = 1
|club-update = 5 January 2025
|nationalteam-update = 11 June 2021
}}
Arb Manaj (born 23 July 1998) is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for Drita.
Club career
=Dukagjini=
Manaj at the age of 6 started playing football in Dukagjini.{{cite news|url=https://gazetaolle.com/futbolli-si-trashegimi-e-luftes-per-arb-manajn/|title=Futbolli si trashëgimi e luftës për Arb Manajn|trans-title=Football as the legacy of the war for Arb Manaj|language=Albanian|website=Gazeta Olle|date=9 May 2021}} He before the start of the 2015–16 season was promoted to first team of First Football League of Kosovo club Dukagjini and suffered an ACL injury, two minutes after the start of the match against Ferizaj in third matchday of 2015–16 First Football League of Kosovo.{{cite news|url=https://gazetaolle.com/operohet-arb-manaj-talenti-i-madh-kosovar/|title=Operohet Arb Manaj, talenti i madh kosovar|trans-title=Arb Manaj is operated, the great Kosovar talent|language=Albanian|website=Gazeta Olle|date=7 November 2015}} After ten months, Manaj returned from injury, and in the next ten games he scored five goals and assisted three times.{{cite news|url=https://gazetablic.com/d1937025-2/|title=Manaj: Lëndimi ma mohoi kalimin në Dinamo Zagreb, kurse "sherri" pasaportës nuk luajta për kombëtaren|trans-title=Manaj: The injury denied me the transfer to Dinamo Zagreb, while "cause" of passport I did not play for the national team|language=Albanian|website=Gazeta Blic|date=April 2020}}
=Trepça '89=
=Ankara Keçiörengücü=
On 5 October 2020, Manaj signed a three-year contract with TFF First League club Ankara Keçiörengücü.{{cite tweet|user=ankara_kg|author=Ankara Keçiörengücü SK|number=1313025444422340608|language=Turkish|date=5 October 2020|title=Ankara Keçiörengücümüz, KF Trepca89 forması giyen geçen sezon gol krallığı yaşayan 22 yaşındaki Kosovalı santrfor Arb Manaj ile 3 yıllık sözleşme imzaladı|trans-title=Ankara Keçiörengücü signed a 3-year contract with the 22-year-old Kosovar center Arb Manaj, who wore the KF Trepca89 jersey, who was the top scorer last season}} Twelve days later, he made his debut in a 1–2 away win against Ümraniyespor after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=http://www.keciorengucu.org.tr/tr/haber-duyuru-9/ankara-keciorengucumuz-2-umraniyespor-1-480.html|title=Ankara Keçiörengücümüz 2 – Ümraniyespor 1|language=Turkish|publisher=Ankara Keçiörengücü SK|date=17 October 2020}} On 4 November 2020, Manaj scored his first goals for Ankara Keçiörengücü in his third appearance for the club in a 6–0 home win over Büyükçekmece Tepecikspor in 2020–21 Turkish Cup third round.{{cite web|url=http://www.keciorengucu.org.tr/tr/haber-duyuru-9/ankara-keciorengucu-6-buyukcekmece-tepecikspor-0-500.html|title=Ankara Keçiörengücü: 6 – Büyükçekmece Tepecikspor: 0|language=Turkish|publisher=Ankara Keçiörengücü SK|date=4 November 2020}}
==Loan at Balıkesirspor==
On 1 February 2021, Manaj was loaned to TFF First League side Balıkesirspor until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.balikesirspor.com.tr/haber/1008/arb-manaj-balikesirsporumuzda.html|title=Arb Manaj Balıkesirspor'umuzda|trans-title=Arb Manaj in Balıkesirspor|language=Turkish|publisher=Balıkesirspor|date=2 February 2021}} Six days later, he made his debut in a 3–0 home win against Akhisarspor after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=http://www.balikesirspor.com.tr/haber/1020/balikesirsporumuz-3-0-akhisarspor.html|title=Balıkesirspor'umuz 3–0 Akhisarspor|trans-title=Balıkesirspor 3–0 Akhisarspor|language=Turkish|publisher=Balıkesirspor|date=7 February 2021}} Seven days after debut, Manaj scored his first goal for Balıkesirspor in his second appearance for the club in a 1–1 away draw over Menemenspor in TFF First League.{{cite web|url=http://www.balikesirspor.com.tr/haber/1028/menemenspor-1-1-balikesirsporumuz.html|title=Menemenspor 1–1 Balıkesirspor'umuz|trans-title=Menemenspor 1–1 Balıkesirspor|language=Turkish|publisher=Balıkesirspor|date=14 February 2021}}
==Loan at Bandırmaspor==
On 9 August 2021, Manaj joined TFF First League side Bandırmaspor, on a season-long loan.{{cite news|url=https://telegrafi.com/zyrtare-arb-manaj-bashkohet-bandirmasporit/|title=Zyrtare: Arb Manaj i bashkohet Bandirmasporit|trans-title=Official: Arb Manaj joins Bandirmaspor|language=Albanian|publisher=Telegrafi|date=9 August 2021}} Five days later, he made his debut in a 0–2 away win against Denizlispor after coming on as a substitute at 81st minute in place of Guy-Michel Landel.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/08/14/turkey/1-lig/denizlispor/bandirmaspor/3557606/|title=Denizlispor vs. Bandırmaspor 0–2|website=Soccerway|access-date=14 August 2021}}
=Slaven Belupo=
On 26 July 2022, Manaj signed a two-year contract with Croatian Football League club Slaven Belupo.{{cite web|url=https://nk-slaven-belupo.hr/arb-manaj-novi-je-igrac-slaven-belupa/|title=Arb Manaj novi je igrač Slaven Belupa|trans-title=Arb Manaj is the new player of Slaven Belupo|language=Croatian|publisher=NK Slaven Belupo|date=26 July 2022}} His debut with Slaven Belupo came on 14 August in a 0–1 away win against Rijeka after coming on as a substitute at 60th minute in place of Marko Žuljević.{{cite web|url=https://nk-slaven-belupo.hr/debi-manaja-u-dresu-slaven-belupa/|title=Debi Manaja u dresu Slaven Belupa|trans-title=Manaj's debut in Slaven Belupo jersey|language=Croatian|publisher=NK Slaven Belupo|date=15 August 2022}}
International career
=Youth=
==Albania U19==
On 30 December 2014, Manaj received a call-up from Albania U19 for the unofficial friendly match against Italy U18,{{cite web|url=https://fshf.org/sq/u-19-tjeter-miqesore-me-italine/|title=U-19, tjeter miqesore me Italine|trans-title=U-19, another friendly with Italy|language=Turkish|publisher=Albanian Football Association|date=30 December 2014}} but he was an unused substitute in that match.
==Kosovo U21==
On 11 November 2019, Manaj received a call-up from Kosovo U21 for the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Austria U21.{{cite web|url=http://ffk-kosova.com/prekazi-publikon-listen-e-futbollisteve-per-ndeshjen-me-austrine/|title=Prekazi publikon listën e futbollistëve për ndeshjen me Austrinë|trans-title=Prekaz publishes the list of players for the match against Austria|language=Albanian|publisher=Football Federation of Kosovo|date=11 November 2019}} On 4 September 2020, he made his debut with Kosovo U21 in a 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against England U21 after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite news|url=https://lajmi.net/formacionet-zyrtare-kosove-u21-angli-u21/|title=Formacionet zyrtare: Kosovë U21 – Angli U21|trans-title=Official line-ups: Kosovo U21 – England U21|language=Albanian|website=Lajmi.net|date=4 September 2020}}
=Senior=
On 24 December 2019, Manaj received a call-up from Kosovo for the friendly match against Sweden,{{cite web|url=http://ffk-kosova.com/lista-e-futbollisteve-per-ndeshjen-kosove-suedi/|title=Lista e futbollistëve për ndeshjen Kosovë–Suedi|trans-title=List of players for the match Kosovo–Sweden|language=Albanian|publisher=Football Federation of Kosovo|date=24 December 2019}} and made his debut after coming on as a substitute at 84th minute in place of Elbasan Rashani.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=16812|title=Sweden (1–0) Kosovo|website=eu-football.info|date=12 January 2020}} On 8 June 2021, Manaj scored his first goal for Kosovo in his second appearance for the country in a 1–2 home defeat over Guinea.{{cite news|url=https://telegrafi.com/kosova-mposhtet-nga-guineja-golin-per-dardanet-e-shenon-arb-manaj/|title=Kosova mposhtet nga Guinea, golin për Dardanët e shënon Arb Manaj|trans-title=Kosovo is defeated by Guinea, the goal for the Dardanians is scored by Arb Manaj|language=Albanian|publisher=Telegrafi|date=8 June 2021}}
Honours
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|19 August 2022|{{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"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="5"|Trepça '89
|rowspan="4"|Kosovo Superleague |5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 3 | ||
| 2018–19
|16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 4 | ||
| 2019–20
|29 | 17 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 17 | ||
| 2020–21
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!53 | 24 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 53 | 24 | ||
| Ankara Keçiörengücü
|12 | 4 | 1 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 6 | ||
| Balıkesirspor (loan)
|TFF First League |14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 6 | ||
| Bandırmaspor (loan)
|TFF First League |13 | 1 | 3 | 5 | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 6 | ||
| Ankara Keçiörengücü
|TFF First League |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | ||
| Slaven Belupo
|2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!99 | 35 | 4 | 7 | colspan="2"|— | 103 | 42 |
=International=
{{updated|11 June 2021|{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=30910|title=Arb Manaj|website=eu-football.info|date=11 June 2021}}}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"|Kosovo
|2020 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 2 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 3 | 1 |
:Scores and results list Kosovo's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Manaj goal.
{{International goals header}}
|+ List of international goals scored by Arb Manaj
|-
|style="text-align:center"|1
|8 June 2021
|Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex, Manavgat, Turkey
|{{fb|GUI}}
|style="text-align:center"|1–2
|style="text-align:center"|1–2
|}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway}}
- {{NFT player}}
- {{UEFA player}}
{{FC Drita squad}}
{{Turkish Cup top scorers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Manaj, Arb}}
Category:Footballers from the District of Peja
Category:Footballers from Peja
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Kosovan men's footballers
Category:21st-century Kosovan sportsmen
Category:Kosovo men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Kosovo men's international footballers
Category:Albanian men's footballers
Category:Albania men's youth international footballers
Category:KF Trepça '89 players
Category:Ankara Keçiörengücü S.K. footballers
Category:Balıkesirspor footballers
Category:Bandırmaspor footballers
Category:NK Slaven Belupo players
Category:Football Superleague of Kosovo players
Category:Croatian Football League players
Category:Kazakhstan Premier League players
Category:Albanian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Kosovan expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey
Category:Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in Turkey
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Croatia
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Croatia
Category:Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in Croatia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Kazakhstan
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Kazakhstan