Enkeleid Alikaj
{{short description|Albanian footballer}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Enkeleid Alikaj
| fullname = Enkeleid Alikaj
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|12|27}}
| birth_place = Tirana, Albania
| height = 1.80 m
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| years1 = 2001–2007 | caps1 = 57 | goals1 = 0 | clubs1 = Dinamo Tirana
| years2 = 2003 | caps2 = 24 | goals2 = 2 | clubs2 = → Apolonia Fier (loan)
| years3 = 2005 | caps3 = 20 | goals3 = 0 | clubs3 = → Partizani (loan)
| years4 = 2007 | caps4 = 8 | goals4 = 0 | clubs4 = Partizani
| years5 = 2007–2008 | caps5 = 35 | goals5 = 4 | clubs5 = Besa Kavajë
| years6 = 2009 | caps6 = 14 | goals6 = 1 | clubs6 = Teuta Durrës
| years7 = 2009–2010 | caps7 = 20 | goals7 = 2 | clubs7 = Vllaznia
| years8 = 2010–2012 | caps8 = 54 | goals8 = 7 | clubs8 = Kastrioti
| years9 = 2012–2013 | caps9 = 32 | goals9 = 2 | clubs9 = Kukësi
| years10= 2014–2015 | caps10= 32 | goals10= 1 | clubs10= Skënderbeu
| years11= 2015–2016 | caps11= 25 | goals11= 4 | clubs11= Kastrioti
| years12= 2016 | caps12= 10 | goals12= 0 | clubs12= Elbasani
| years13= 2017–2018 | caps13= 11 | goals13= 1 | clubs13= Dinamo Tirana
| nationalyears1 = 2000–2003
| nationalteam1 = Albania U21
| nationalcaps1 = 6
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 16 May 2017
}}{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
Enkeleid Alikaj (born 27 December 1981), known as Enkel Alikaj, is an Albanian retired professional footballer who last played as a midfielder for Albanian club Dinamo Tirana in the Albanian First Division.
Club career
=Early career=
In March 2006, while still playing for Dinamo Tirana, Alikaj was given permission to go to Norway on a one-week trial at Vålerenga Fotball.{{cite news|url=http://www.xtratime.org/forum/3933090-post1716.html|title=Enkel Alikaj për provë në Norvegji|trans-title=Enkel Alikaj on trial in Norway|publisher=Xtratime.org|language=Albanian|date=29 March 2006|accessdate=18 May 2017}} Following the trial he was not given a contract after Lars Bohinen, sporting director of the club at that time, claimed that he was not "good enough" to play for the team.{{cite news|url=http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/valerenga-dropper-alikaj/66200371|title=Vålerenga dropper Alikaj|trans-title=Vålerenga drops Alikaj|publisher=Dagbladet.no|language=Norwegian|date=28 March 2006|accessdate=18 May 2017}}
=Vllaznia Shkodër=
On 30 July 2009, Alikaj joined Vllaznia Shkodër on a one-year contract.{{cite news|url=http://www.fkvllaznia.net/lajme/893-enkel-alikaj-n-shkodr-pr-titullin.html|title=Enkel Alikaj, në Shkodër për titullin|trans-title=Enkel Alikaj, in Shkodër for the title|publisher=FKVllaznia.net|language=Albanian|date=31 July 2009|accessdate=17 May 2017}} He was presented a day later, stating: "To be part of a team like Vllaznia it's a pleasure for every player."
=Kastrioti Krujë=
After one season in Shkodër, on 1 September 2010, Alikaj completed a transfer to fellow Albanian Superliga side Kastrioti Krujë by signing a one-year contract.{{cite news|url=http://www.arkivalajmeve.com/Kastrioti-firmos-me-Geseouski-dhe-Alikaj.1046921096/|title=Kastrioti firmos me Geseouski dhe Alikaj|trans-title=Kastrioti signs with Geseouski and Alikaj|publisher=Arkiva Lajmeve|language=Albanian|date=1 September 2010|accessdate=18 May 2017}} Alikaj made his first appearance for Kastrioti in the opening league match against Shkumbini Peqin, playing for 54 minutes as the team kicked off the new season with a 2–2 at the neutral ground of Qemal Stafa Stadium.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2010/08/22/albania/super-league/ks-shkumbini-peqin/ks-kastrioti-kruje/976616/|title=Shkumbini Peqin vs. Kastrioti Krujë 2 – 2|publisher=Soccerway|date=22 August 2010|accessdate=18 May 2017}} He missed the second matchday because the club gave him permission to go to Azerbaijan on trial with an unknown team.{{cite news|url=http://www.albaniasoccer.com/lajme/shqiperi/superliga/2832-enkel-alikaj-per-prove-ne-azerbajxhan.html|title=Levizjet / Enkel Alikaj per prove ne Azerbajxhan|trans-title=Transfers / Enkel Alikaj on trial Azerbajxhan|publisher=Albania Soccer|language=Albanian|date=29 August 2010|accessdate=18 May 2017}}
=Kukësi=
On 9 August 2012, Alikaj joined newly promoted Albanian Superliga club Kukësi by signing a contract until the end of the 2012–13 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/kukesi-eshte-i-pandalshem-ne-merkato-merr-alikajn-e-maloten-pret-biskup/|title=Kukësi është i pandalshëm në merkato. Merr Alikajn e Malotën, pret dhe Biskup|trans-title=Departures, here's the "revolucion" in Korçë, the list of footballers ready to leave is unveiled|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=11 May 2015|accessdate=19 December 2015}} Alikaj was part of the team which made history by becoming the first Albanian team to reach the UEFA Europa League play-off round, and also the first Albanian team to pass more than a round in the competition. He contributed with seven matches as Kukësi was eliminated by Trabzonspor.{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/clubs/2604186--kukes/|title=UEFA Europa League 2013/14 - History - Kukës|publisher=UEFA|access-date=17 May 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.shqiperia.com/Kukesi-ne-play-off-te-Europa-League.21902/|title=Kukesi ne play-off te Europa League|trans-title=Kukesi in play-off of Europa League|publisher=Shqipëria.com|language=Albanian|date=8 August 2013|accessdate=19 December 2015}}
=Skënderbeu Korçë=
On 31 January 2014, one day after leaving Kukësi, Alikaj joined the rivals of Skënderbeu Korçë by signing until the end of the season, turning down offers from clubs such as Partizani Tirana and Kastrioti Krujë.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/alikaj-transferohet-te-skenderbeu-por-le-akuza-pas-trajneri-shensoji-prishi-kukesin/|title=Alikaj transferohet te Skënderbeu, por lë akuza pas: Trajneri Shensoji prishi Kukësin|trans-title=Alikaj transfers to Skënderbeu, but leave accusations behind sim: Coach Şensoy quashed Kukësi|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|author=Jorgis Memo|date=31 January 2014|accessdate=18 May 2017}} He played his first match with the new team two days later against his former side Vllaznia Shkodër, entering in the last 24 minutes of a 2–1 home win, helping Skënderbeu to extend the lead gap to 9 points.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/enkel-alikaj-i-lumtur-qe-debutova-me-fitore-gati-te-sakrifikoj-pozicionin-per-titullin/|title=Enkel Alikaj: I lumtur që debutova me fitore, jam gati të sakrifikoj pozicionin për titullin|trans-title=Enkel Alikaj: Happy that i debuted with win, i'm ready to sacrifice my position for the title|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|author=Llazi Saro|date=4 February 2014|accessdate=18 May 2017}}
After winning his second consecutive title with Skënderbeu Korçë, he left the club at the end of the 2014–15 season through a mutual agreement to terminate his contract which was due to expire a year later in 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/largimet-ja-revolucioni-ne-korce-zbardhet-lista-e-futbollisteve-ne-prag-divorci/|title=Largimet, ja "revolucioni" në Korçë, zbardhet lista e futbollistëve në prag "divorci"|trans-title=Departures, here's the "revolucion" in Korçë, the list of footballers ready to leave is unveiled|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=11 May 2015|accessdate=19 December 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/skenderbeu-largohen-sefa-dhe-alikaj/|title=Skënderbeu, largohen Sefa dhe Alikaj|trans-title=Skënderbeu, Sefa and Alikaj leaves|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=9 June 2015|accessdate=19 December 2015}}
=Kastrioti Krujë return=
On 27 August 2015, Alikaj completed a transfer to Kastrioti Krujë by signing a one-year contract despite being the target of several top flight clubs.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/godet-kastrioti-akord-me-enkel-alikajn/|title=Godet Kastrioti, akord me Enkel Alikajn|trans-title=Kastrioti strikes, agreement with Enkel Alikaj|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=27 August 2015|accessdate=17 May 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://minuta90.com/kastrioti-firmos-me-alikajn/|title=Kastrioti firmos me Alikajn|trans-title=Kastrioti signs with Alikaj|publisher=Minuta90.al|language=Albanian|date=27 August 2015|accessdate=17 May 2017}} During the 2014–15 season, he served as team captain, and concluded the season with 27 appearances, including 25 in league, scoring 4 goals in the process, as Kastrioti failed to clinch a spot for the Albanian Superliga next season.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/kapiteni-alikaj-jep-garanci-per-eliten/|title=Kapiteni Alikaj jep garanci për elitën|trans-title=Captain Alikaj guarantees for elite|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=26 February 2016|accessdate=18 May 2017}}
=Elbasani=
On 13 September 2016, Alikaj joined fellow Albanian First Division side Elbasani by signing a one-year contract, having begun training with the team days before.{{cite news|url=http://newsport.al/2016/09/firmos-enkel-alikaj-mesfushori-behet-pjese-e-superprojektit-ambicioz/|title=Firmos Enkel Alikaj, mesfushori bëhet pjesë e superprojektit ambicioz|trans-title=Enkel Alikaj signs, the midfielder becomes part of the ambitious superproject|publisher=Newsportl.al|language=Albanian|date=13 September 2016|accessdate=17 May 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://albaniansport.net/new/elbasan-firmosin-alikaj-dhe-agastra-te-verdheblute-vjen-shehaj/|title=Elbasan / Firmosin Alikaj dhe Agastra, te verdheblutë vjen Shehaj|trans-title=Elbasan / Alikaj and Agastra signs, Shehaj arrives at Yellow&Blue|publisher=Albanian Sport|language=Albanian|date=14 September 2016|accessdate=17 May 2017}} In December 2016, he along with the rest of the team boycotted the training after not getting paid for months.{{cite news|url=http://sportal.al/alikaj-na-hoqen-edhe-buken/|title=Alikaj: Na hoqën edhe bukën|trans-title=Alikaj: They took away from us even the food|publisher=Sportal.al|language=Albanian|date=9 December 2016|accessdate=17 May 2017}} In an interview, he stated that the club didn't pay him, and that he was one of the five players to urge other players to boycott the training.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/drame-ne-elbasan-alikaj-na-hoqen-buken-nje-jave-hanim-byreke/|title=Dramë në Elbasan, Alikaj: Na hoqën bukën një javë, hanim byrekë|trans-title=Drama in Elbasan, Alikaj: They took away the food for one week, we ate pie|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|author=Armand Halili|date=10 December 2016|accessdate=17 May 2017}} He was suspended by the club for his actions along with the other four players. Shortly after, he officially terminated his contract with the club, becoming a free agent in the process.
=Dinamo Tirana return=
In January 2017, Alikaj begun training with Dinamo Tirana.{{cite news|url=http://sportal.al/alikaj-shfaqet-te-dinamo/|title=Alikaj shfaqet te Dinamo|trans-title=Alikaj appears at Dinamo|publisher=Sportal.al|language=Albanian|date=18 January 2017|accessdate=17 May 2017}} On 2 February, he officially returned to the club for the first time after 11 years by signing until the end of the season.{{cite news|url=http://sportal.al/firmos-enkel-alikaj/|title=Firmos Enkel Alikaj|trans-title=Enkel Alikaj signs|publisher=Sportal.al|language=Albanian|date=2 February 2017|accessdate=17 May 2017}} He made his return debut two days later in the match against Sopoti Librazhd by playing in the last 30 minutes of a goalless draw.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/02/04/albania/league-1/ks-dinamo-tirana/ks-sopoti-librazhd/2362665/|title=Dinamo Tirana vs. Sopoti Librazhd 0 – 0|publisher=Soccerway|date=4 February 2017|accessdate=17 May 2017}} Alikaj scored his first goal for Dinamo in his second appearance six days later, netting the final goal of a 3–1 win at Apolonia Fier.{{cite news|url=http://www.supersport.al/k-pare-dinamo-mposht-apolonine/|title=K. Pare, Dinamo mposht Apoloninë|trans-title=First Division, Dinamo defeats Apolonia|publisher=Super Sport Albania|language=Albanian|date=10 February 2017|accessdate=17 May 2017}}
International career
A former Albania youth international, Alikaj made his competitive debut with the under-21 squad on 1 April 2003 against Republic of Ireland for the qualifiers of 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He played the whole match as Albania won 1–0 at Selman Stërmasi Stadium thanks to an Erjon Rizvanolli winner.{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/match/69072--albania-vs-republic-of-ireland/|title=Albania-Republic of Ireland|publisher=UEFA|date=1 April 2003|access-date=17 May 2017}} Alikaj made only one appearance during the tournament, as Albania had the best result since 1984 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, when it had won the group, as it left two teams behind (Republic of Ireland and Georgia), but was preceded by Switzerland and Russia, and thus failed to qualify to the main tournament.{{cite news|url=http://www.uefa.com/under21/season=2004/standings/round=1585/group=1473/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224185455/http://www.uefa.com/under21/season=2004/standings/round=1585/group=1473/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 December 2013|title=Qualifying round|publisher=UEFA|access-date=17 May 2017}}
Personal life
Alikaj is a practising Muslim.{{cite news|url=http://www.dritaislame.al/futbollistet-i-ngelen-besnike-agjerimit/|title=Futbollistët i ngelen besnikë agjërimit|trans-title=Footballers remain loyal to the fast|publisher=Drita Islame|language=Albanian|date=22 July 2012|accessdate=18 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107160447/http://www.dritaislame.al/futbollistet-i-ngelen-besnike-agjerimit/|archive-date=7 January 2013|url-status=dead}} He has said: "I have fasting for many years and for me it is usual now, I do not feel any obstacle in my activity as a footballer.
Honours
;Dinamo Tirana
;Skënderbeu Korçë
References
{{reflist|3}}
External links
- {{UEFA player|65413}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20131011225701/http://fshf.org/garat/components/lojtar.php?player_id=215135 Enkel Alikaj] – Albanian Football Association profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alikaj, Enkel}}
Category:Footballers from Tirana
Category:Albanian men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Albania men's under-21 international footballers
Category:FC Dinamo City players
Category:FK Apolonia Fier players
Category:FK Partizani Tirana players
Category:KF Besa Kavajë players
Category:KF Vllaznia Shkodër players
Category:KF Skënderbeu Korçë players