Besian Idrizaj
{{short description|Austrian footballer (1987–2010)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Besian Idrizaj
| image =
| full_name = Besian Idrizaj
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1987|10|12}}
| birth_place = Baden bei Wien, Austria
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2010|5|15|1987|10|12|df=y}}
| death_place = Linz, Austria
| height = 1.89 m
| youthyears1 = 1998–2003
| youthclubs1 = Admira Linz
| position = Striker
| years1 = 2003–2004 |clubs1 = Admira Linz |caps1 = 0 |goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2003–2005 |clubs2 = LASK Linz |caps2 = 35 |goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2005–2008 |clubs3 = Liverpool |caps3 = 0 |goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2007 |clubs4 = → Luton Town (loan) |caps4 = 7 |goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2007–2008 |clubs5 = → Crystal Palace (loan) |caps5 = 7 |goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2008 |clubs6 = → Wacker Innsbruck (loan) |caps6 = 2 |goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2009 |clubs7 = FC Eilenburg |caps7 = 5 |goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2009–2010 |clubs8 = Swansea City |caps8 = 3 |goals8 = 0
| totalcaps = 59 | totalgoals = 5
| nationalyears1 = 2007–2009
| nationalteam1 = Austria U21
| nationalcaps1 = 12
| nationalgoals1 = 3
}}
Besian Idrizaj (12 October 1987 – 15 May 2010) was an Austrian professional footballer.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2010/05/15/1926108/swansea-youngster-besian-idrizaj-passes-away |title=Austria striker dies at parents' home aged 22 |publisher=goal.com |date=15 May 2010 |accessdate=18 October 2013}} He played in the Football League for Crystal Palace and Luton Town both whilst on loan from Liverpool for whom he did not make a League appearance. He also played for LASK Linz, Wacker Innsbruck and FC Eilenburg before returning in the English football league with Swansea City. He died of a heart attack on 15 May 2010 at the age of 22.{{cite web |url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Former-Liverpool-starlet-Besian-Idrizaj-dies-of-heart-attack-aged-just-22-article427331.html |title=Former Liverpool striker dies of heart-attack aged just 22 |work=The Daily Mirror |location=UK |date=15 May 2010 |accessdate=15 May 2010}} He was of Albanian descent.{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/swansea-striker-idrizaj-dies-at-22-1974534.html|title=Swansea striker Idrizaj dies at 22|date=2010-05-16|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2019-05-17}}
Career
=Beginnings=
Idrizaj started his career with Admira Linz and LASK Linz. He was Austria's young player of the year in the 2004–05 season.
=Liverpool=
He signed for Liverpool from LASK in the summer of 2005 on a two-year contract, following a trial spell.
At the time, he declared "I have always been a Liverpool fan and it is a dream come true to play for them. If you get a chance to go to Liverpool on trial then you have to take it. You cannot ignore a trial with the reigning Champions League winners. I would even have swum across the channel just to take part."
His 2005–06 season was interrupted by injuries. However, Idrizaj was expected to be a regular member of Gary Ablett and Hughie McAuley's reserve squad for the 2006–07 season. He made his debut for the first team in a pre-season friendly against Wrexham on 15 July 2006, playing for the first 45 minutes upfront as a striker, alongside fellow debutant Craig Bellamy.
After going on loan to Luton Town in 2007 he returned to Liverpool for the close season. On 7 July 2007, Idrizaj scored a hat trick in a friendly for the Reds against Wrexham in a period of 26 minutes. All three goals were set up by Jermaine Pennant.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wrexham/6280934.stm |title=Idrizaj gives Reds win at Wrexham |publisher=BBC News |date=7 July 2007 |accessdate=16 May 2010}}
=Luton Town=
On 16 March 2007, Idrizaj went on loan to Championship team Luton Town, until the end of the 2006–07 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/idrizaj-sent-on-loan-to-luton|title=Idrizaj sent on loan to Luton|work=Liverpoolfc.tv|date=16 March 2006|accessdate=18 October 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019083620/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/idrizaj-sent-on-loan-to-luton|archivedate=19 October 2013|df=dmy-all}} He made his English league debut with them the day after, but was substituted after 49 minutes.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6437365.stm |title=Luton 0–2 Ipswich |work=Match report on BBC Sport |date=17 March 2007 |accessdate=17 March 2007}} He went on to play six more times for the club, scoring one goal against Southend United.
=Crystal Palace=
On 30 August 2007 he signed for Crystal Palace on a 12-month loan deal.{{Cite web |url=http://world.cpfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10323~39531,00.html |title=Besian Idrizaj profile |publisher=cpfc.co.uk |access-date=18 October 2013 |df=dmy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404201554/http://world.cpfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10323~39531,00.html |archive-date=4 April 2018 |url-status=dead }}
Idrizaj made his debut for Crystal Palace against Charlton Athletic on 1 September 2007 in the South London derby as a 72nd-minute replacement for Clinton Morrison.{{Cite web |url=http://world.cpfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10323~1101902,00.html |title=Palace Sign Reds Striker |date=31 August 2007 |publisher=cpfc.premiumtv.co.uk. |access-date=18 October 2013 |df=dmy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404073746/http://world.cpfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10323~1101902,00.html |archive-date=4 April 2018 |url-status=dead }} However, Idrizaj failed to establish himself at Crystal Palace and in January 2008 Manager Neil Warnock demanded that Liverpool take him back during the January transfer window as he would see no further action during his remaining time on loan with Crystal Palace. On 31 January 2008, Idrizaj of his own accord agreed to a loan move to Oldham Athletic for the remainder of the 2007–08 season after cancelling the remainder of the loan deal at Palace.{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/club-insist-meeting-not-benitez-5518387|title=Club insist US meeting is not about Benitez as defender prepares to sign|date=9 January 2008|accessdate=18 October 2013}} However, after interference from his agent Idrizaj backtracked on the deal and decided not to join The Latics.{{Cite web |url=http://world.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/NewsUpdate/0,,10337~1230410,00.html |title=IDRIZAJ LOAN DEAL OFF |date=31 January 2008 |publisher=Oldham Athletic |access-date=18 October 2013 |df=dmy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404204210/http://world.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/NewsUpdate/0,,10337~1230410,00.html |archive-date=4 April 2018 |url-status=dead }}
=Return to Austria=
On 31 January 2008 he signed for Austrian club Wacker Innsbruck on loan, from Liverpool, until the end of the 2007–08 football season, when his contract at Liverpool was terminated. While at Innsbruck, he collapsed on the pitch during a game against Sturm Graz.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/16/swansea-besian-idrizaj-paulo-sousa Swansea City manager Paulo Sousa pays tribute to Besian Idrizaj], The Guardian (16 May 2010). Retrieved on 18 October 2013. However, after undergoing medical tests, he was cleared to resume his football career after the tests indicated the collapse was a result of a virus rather than a heart problem.[http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Besian-hopes-repay-faith-fearing-pro-career/story-12383757-detail/story.html Besian hopes to repay faith after fearing for pro career] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729002829/http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Besian-hopes-repay-faith-fearing-pro-career/story-12383757-detail/story.html |date=29 July 2012 }}, South Wales Evening Post (13 March 2010). Retrieved on 18 October 2013.
=FC Eilenburg=
Idrizaj played five games in the German NOFV-Oberliga Süd for FC Eilenburg and received a red card in his second game.{{cite web |url=http://ww482.w3sserv.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=455&Itemid=68 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311191412/http://www.fceilenburg.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=455&Itemid=68 |archivedate=11 March 2012 |title=Keine Punkte auf der Müllerwiese |publisher= FC Eilenburg|date=4 May 2009 |language=German |accessdate=18 October 2013}}
=Swansea City=
Swansea City took Idrizaj on trial on 18 August 2009 and he signed for the club on 22 August 2009.{{Cite web |url=http://www.swanseacity.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/Latest/0,,10354~1758221,00.html |title=Swans take Idrizaj on trial |date=18 August 2009 |publisher=Swansea City Football Club |access-date=18 October 2013 |df=dmy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404212633/http://www.swanseacity.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/Latest/0,,10354~1758221,00.html |archive-date=4 April 2018 |url-status=dead }} He was hailed by Swansea manager Paulo Sousa: "he's not quite a striker but he is an attacking player, I know a lot about him and he is the sort of player that could fit into our squad." He signed after impressing Sousa in training. He was given permission to train on field during the Reading and Coventry City games. It was reported he was offered the contract during the Coventry City game on 22 August. He accepted the contract at half time. He played three games for the club that season as they narrowly missed out on the Football League Championship play-offs and the chance of Premier League football.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/8216155.stm|title=Swansea recruit Austrian Idrizaj |date=24 August 2009|work=BBC Sport |accessdate=24 August 2009}}
Death
Idrizaj died on 15 May 2010 at the age of 22, barely two weeks after the end of the Championship campaign. Reports suggest he suffered a heart attack in his sleep.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/8684783.stm |title=Swansea player Besian Idrizaj dies at 22 |publisher=BBC News |date=15 May 2010 |accessdate=15 May 2010}} It was also reported that Idrizaj had previously collapsed on two separate occasions while playing football: once during a trial with his former club LASK Linz in November 2008 and also during a match for Wacker Innsbruck in February 2008.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/15/besian-idrizaj-liverpool-swansea-austria |title=Swansea striker Besian Idrizaj dies of suspected heart attack aged 22 |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=15 May 2010 |accessdate=18 August 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://sport.oe24.at/fussball/Besian-Idrizaj-tot-Herzinfarkt-mit-22-Jahren/839012 |title=Besian Idrizaj stirbt mit 22 Jahren |date=15 May 2010 |accessdate=18 October 2013}}
Tribute
As a mark of respect following Swansea's Championship play-off final win over Reading on 30 May 2011, the Swansea players all wore T-shirts with Idrizaj's photo and name on them.{{cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/swansea-tribute-to-ex-red |title=Swansea tribute to ex-Red |publisher=Liverpool FC |date=30 May 2011 |accessdate=31 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602120550/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/swansea-tribute-to-ex-red |archivedate=2 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }} Swansea also decided to retire his number 40 shirt.{{Cite web |url=http://www.swanseacity.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/Latest/0,,10354~2054509,00.html |title=Swans to retire Besian's shirt |date=18 May 2010 |publisher=Swansea Official website |access-date=18 October 2013 |df=dmy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404201415/http://www.swanseacity.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/Latest/0,,10354~2054509,00.html |archive-date=4 April 2018 |url-status=dead }}
Statistics
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%; text-align: center;
|+ Club performance{{Soccerbase|46369|Besian Idrizaj UK}} | |||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="2"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Others !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App
!Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals !App !Goals | |||||||||||
| style="vertical-align:top;"|Admira Linz
|2003–04 |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;"|LASK Linz
|2003–04 |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2004–05
|27 | 3 | 1? | 1? | Colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 4 | |
| 2005–06
|7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| rowspan="4" style="vertical-align:top;"|Liverpool
|2005–06 |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006–07
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007–08
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| style="vertical-align:top;"|Luton Town (loan)
|2006–07 |7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| style="vertical-align:top;"|Crystal Palace (loan)
|2007–08 |7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| style="vertical-align:top;"|Fußballclub Wacker Innsbruck (loan)
|2007–08 |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| style="vertical-align:top;"|FC Eilenburg
|2008–09 |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| style="vertical-align:top;"|Swansea City
|2009–10 |3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| |Total
! | ! | 59 ! | 4 ! | 1? ! | 1? ! | 0 ! | 0 ! | 0 ! | 0 ! | 0 ! | 0 ! | 60 ! | 5 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=111&player=123 Besian Idrizaj at holmesdale.net]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Idrizaj, Besian}}
Category:Footballers from Baden bei Wien
Category:Austrian people of Albanian descent
Category:Austrian men's footballers
Category:Austria men's youth international footballers
Category:21st-century Austrian sportsmen
Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players
Category:Liverpool F.C. players
Category:Luton Town F.C. players
Category:FC Wacker Innsbruck (2002) players
Category:Austrian Football Bundesliga players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Wales
Category:Austrian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Austrian expatriate sportspeople in Germany
Category:Austrian expatriate sportspeople in Wales
Category:Men's association football forwards