Franc Veliu

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Franc Veliu

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|11|11}}

| birth_place = Vlorë, Albania

| height = 1.86 m

| position = Defender

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 2003–2006

| youthclubs1 = Flamurtari

| years1 = 2006–2015

| clubs1 = Flamurtari

| caps1 = 210

| goals1 = 14

| years2 = 2015–2016

| clubs2 = Kukësi

| caps2 = 8

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2016

| clubs3 = Partizani

| caps3 = 3

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2016–2019

| clubs4 = Flamurtari

| caps4 = 66

| goals4 = 3

| years5 = 2019–2022

| clubs5 = Gjilani

| caps5 = 48

| goals5 = 4

| nationalyears1 = 2008–2009

| nationalyears2 = 2009–2013

| nationalteam1 = Albania U21

| nationalteam2 = Albania

| nationalcaps1 = 8

| nationalcaps2 = 7

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| pcupdate =

| ntupdate =

}}

Franc Veliu (born 11 November 1988) is an Albanian former professional footballer who played mainly as a defender. His natural position is left back but he has also played as a left midfielder and even as a central defender.

He only played for one club team at professional level between 2006 and 2015, before joining Kukësi in 2015. He has only ever won two trophies in his career so far, two times Albanian Cup in 2009 and 2014 after winning in the final against Tirana and against current club Kukësi in 2009 and 2014 respectively.

Club career

=Flamurtari Vlorë=

He made his debut for Flamurtari Vlorë in 2006 and since then has cemented his place in his hometown club's first team. He has spent most of his career in the left back position but he has also played as a left midfielder and most recently as a central defender as well. On 29 October 2008, he scored his first hat-trick, an unusual achievement for a defender, in a 1–6 away win against Naftëtari Kuçovë valid for the first leg of the first round of 2008–09 Albanian Cup.{{cite news|url=http://www.arkivalajmeve.com/Vlonjatet-ne-heshtje-keshtu-pergatisim-fitoren.115548/|title=Vlonjatët në heshtje, kështu përgatisim fitoren|trans-title=Vlonjats in silence, here' how we prepared a win|publisher=Arkiva Lajmeve|language=Albanian|date=21 October 2008|accessdate=14 November 2015}}

He was voted Flamurtari's player of the year for 2014 by the club's fans, beating Bruno Telushi and Ardit Shehaj who came second and third respectively.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama-sport.com/flamurtari-veliu-lojtari-i-vitit-2014/|title=Flamurtari, Veliu, "Lojtari i Vitit 2014″|trans-title=Flamurtari, Veliu, "Player of the Year 2014″|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|accessdate=6 January 2015|date=5 January 2014}}

=Kukësi=

After making 263 appearances for Flamurtari between 2006 and 2015, Veliu left to join fellow Albanian Superliga club Kukësi.{{cite news|url=http://www.supersport.al/franc-veliu-kukesi-zgjedhja-e-duhur-per-mua/|title=Franc Veliu: Kukësi, zgjedhja e duhur për mua|trans-title=Franc Veliu: Kukësi, the right choice for me|publisher=SuperSport Albania|author=Sotir Kora|language=Albanian|date=6 October 2015|accessdate=9 September 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911090222/http://www.supersport.al/franc-veliu-kukesi-zgjedhja-e-duhur-per-mua/|archivedate=11 September 2015}}

=Partizani Tirana=

On 1 February 2016, Veliu joined Partizani Tirana where he signed a contract until the end of the season with an option to extend it for a further year.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama-sport.com/zyrtare-franc-veliu-firmos-me-partizanin/|title=Zyrtare, Franc Veliu firmos me Partizanin|trans-title=Official, Franc Veliu signs with Partizani|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=1 February 2016|accessdate=1 February 2016}} After some matches in bench, Veliu made his first appearance with Red Bulls on 20 March by playing in the last 13 minutes of a 0–2 win at Teuta Durrës.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/03/20/albania/super-league/ks-teuta-durres/kf-partizani-tirana/2074116/|title=Teuta Durrës 0 – 2 Partizani Tirana|publisher=Soccerway|date=20 March 2016|accessdate=20 March 2016}} He played his first match as starter later on 17 April in the 3–0 home win over Vllaznia Shkodër; he was however replace at the end of first half.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/03/20/albania/super-league/ks-teuta-durres/kf-partizani-tirana/2074116/|title=Partizani Tirana 3 – 0 Vllaznia Shkodër|publisher=Soccerway|date=17 April 2016|accessdate=17 April 2016}} Veliu left the club following the end of the season after making only three appearances, collecting only 80 minutes as the team finished runner-up in the championship.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/albania/super-league/20152016/regular-season/r31891/|title=Summary - Superliga - Albania - Results, fixtures, tables and news|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=9 January 2018}}

=Return to Flamurtari Vlorë=

On 22 July 2016, Veliu officially returned to Flamurtari Vlorë by joining as a free agent.{{cite news|url=http://vloranews.net/?p=11120|title=ZYRTARE,VELIU RIKTHEHET TEK FLAMURTARI|trans-title=OFFICIAL, VELIU RETURNS TO FLAMURTARI|publisher=Vlora News|language=Albanian|date=22 July 2016|accessdate=26 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006091120/http://vloranews.net/?p=11120|archive-date=6 October 2016|url-status=dead}} He was allocated his old squad number 11, and made his return debut on 7 September in the opening league match of the season, a 2–1 away defeat to Skënderbeu Korçë.{{cite news|url=http://www.supersport.al/skenderbeu-e-nis-me-fitore-nen-shenjen-e-salihit/|title=Skënderbeu, start nën shenjën e Salihit|trans-title=Skënderbeu, start on Salihi's mark|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=Albanian|author=Erald Kodheli|date=7 September 2016|accessdate=7 September 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910073514/http://www.supersport.al/skenderbeu-e-nis-me-fitore-nen-shenjen-e-salihit/|archivedate=10 September 2016}} On 27 May, in the final matchday, Veliu scored his first goal of the season after an individual effort in a 3–0 win over Korabi Peshkopi, as Flamurtari avoided the relegation by just one point.{{cite news|url=http://www.supersport.al/flamurtari-qendron-ne-superiore/|title=Flamurtari qëndron në Superiore|trans-title=Flamurtari stays in Superliga|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=Albanian|author=Andi Deçka|date=27 May 2017|accessdate=1 June 2017|archive-date=31 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531170123/http://www.supersport.al/flamurtari-qendron-ne-superiore/|url-status=dead}} In June, following the departure of team captain Bruno Telushi in Croatia, Veliu was renamed the new captain, three years after losing the status.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/largimi-i-telushit-gradon-veliun-tani-eshte-ai-perseri-lideri-ne-fushe/|title=Largimi i Telushit "gradon" Veliun, tani është ai përsëri lideri në fushë|trans-title=Telushi's departure "graduates" Veliu, he is again on-field leader|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=25 June 2017|accessdate=26 June 2017}} He suffered a major injury during the summer preparation phase which forced him to miss the entire first half of 2017–18 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/ngrohja-e-stolit-i-ka-terbuar-ja-21-lojtaret-qe-luten-per-tu-aktivizuar/|title=Ngrohja e stolit i ka tërbuar, ja 21 lojtarët që luten për t'u aktivizuar|trans-title=Bench warm has angered them, here are 21 players that beg to play|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|author=Jorgis Memo|date=26 December 2017|accessdate=26 December 2017}} On 22 July 2017, Veliu signed a contract running until July 2018.{{cite news|url=http://sportekspres.com/zyrtare-flamurtari-rinovon-me-veliun/|title=Zyrtare, Flamurtari rinovon me Veliun|trans-title=Official, Flamurtari renew with Veliu|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|date=22 July 2017|accessdate=22 July 2017}} He returned on action in the first days of January 2018 where he played in a friendly against the under-19 side.{{cite news|url=http://sportekspres.com/veliu-nje-blerje-e-re-per-flamurtarin/|title=Veliu, një "blerje" e re për Flamurtarin|trans-title=Veliu, a new "purchase" for Flamurtari|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|date=8 January 2018|accessdate=9 January 2018}}

=Gjilani=

In summer 2019, Veliu moved abroad to play for Football Superleague of Kosovo side Gjilani.[https://telegrafi.com/zyrtare-franc-veliu-futbollist-gjilanit/ Zyrtare: Franc Veliu futbollist i Gjilanit] - Telegrafi {{in lang|sq}}

International career

Veliu was selected by Josip Kuže for a friendly against Argentina on 20 June 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/60592/argentina-vs-albania/preview|title=Argentina vs Albania Preview|author=Roger Gonzalez|publisher=Goal.com|accessdate=26 June 2011|date=19 June 2011}} He was in the starting line up on his debut in a game which ended in a 4–0 loss.{{cite news|url=http://www.sportlive.it/calcio/argentina-albania-4-0-video-tabellino-20-giugno-2011.html|title=l'Argentina travolge l'Albania in un'amichevole di preparazione|language=Italian|publisher=Sport Live|accessdate=26 June 2011|date=21 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323001828/http://www.sportlive.it/calcio/argentina-albania-4-0-video-tabellino-20-giugno-2011.html|archive-date=23 March 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://sportas.delfi.lt/abroad/draugiskose-rungtynese-argentina-sutriuskino-albanija.d?id=46817407&l=fplead|title=Draugiškose rungtynėse Argentina sutriuškino Albaniją|language=Lithuanian|publisher=Sportas Delfi|accessdate=26 June 2011|date=21 June 2011}}

Personal life

Veliu was arrested on 25 October 2015 for drunk driving.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama-sport.com/arrestohet-franc-veliu-po-drejtonte-automjetin-ne-gjendje-te-dehur/|title=Arrestohet Franc Veliu, po drejtonte automjetin në gjendje të dehur|trans-title=Franc Veliu arrested, was driving the vehicle on drunk condition|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=25 October 2015|accessdate=1 February 2016}} His vehicle was confiscated,{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/policia-arreston-futbollistin-franc-veliu-u-kap-ne-gjendje-te-dehur/|title=Policia arreston futbollistin Franc Veliu, u kap në gjendje të dehur|trans-title=The police arrest the footballer Franc Veliu, was caught on drunk condition|publisher=Panorama|language=Albanian|date=25 October 2015|accessdate=1 February 2016}} and Veliu was jailed for one month.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/nje-muaj-burg-per-franc-veliun-drejtonte-automjetin-i-dehur/|title=Një muaj burg për Franc Veliun, drejtonte automjetin i dehur|trans-title=One month jail for Franc Veliu, was driving the vehicle drunk|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=27 April 2016|accessdate=27 April 2016}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|1 February 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/franc-veliu/57389/|title=Albania - F. Veliu - Profile with news, career statistics and history|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=31 December 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.joueurs.franc.veliu.50340.en.html|title=Football : Franc Veliu|publisher=Football DataBase|accessdate=31 December 2014|date=31 December 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.whoscored.com/Players/81745|title=Franc Veliu Football Statistics|publisher=WhoScored.com|accessdate=31 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=person&id=57389|title=Profile of Franc Veliu at Scoresway.com|publisher=Scoresway.com|accessdate=31 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924141837/http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=person&id=57389|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}

colspan=3 \| Club performance ! colspan=2 \| League ! colspan=2 \| Cup ! colspan=2 \| ContinentalIncluding continental competitions, such as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League ! colspan=2 \| OtherIncluding other competitions, such as Albanian Supercup ! colspan=2 \| Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Season	Club	League ! Apps	Goals ! Apps	Goals ! Apps	Goals ! Apps	Goals ! Apps	Goals
colspan=3 \| Flamurtari Vlorë ! colspan=2 \| League ! colspan=2 \| Albanian Cup ! colspan=2 \| Europe ! colspan=2 \| Other ! colspan=2 \| Total
2006–06	rowspan="9"\|Flamurtari Vlorë	rowspan="9"\|Albanian Superliga	8	1	?	?	colspan="2"\|–	0	0	8	1
2008–08	24	2	?	?	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	24	2
2008–09	29	2	7	3	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	36	5
2009–10	32	3	0	0	2	0	1	0	35	3
2010–11	30	1	4	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	34	1
2011–12	24	3	12	3	4	0	colspan="2"\|—	40	6
2012–13	24	1	8	3	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	34	4
2013–14	21	1	5	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	26	1
2014–15	18	0	4	0	3	1	1	0	26	1
rowspan=1 \| Total ! colspan=2 \| Flamurtari Vlorë !210\|\|14\|\|40\|\|9\|\|11\|\|1\|\|2\|\|0\|\|263\|\|24
colspan=3 \| Kukësi ! colspan=2 \| League ! colspan=2 \| Albanian Cup ! colspan=2 \| Europe ! colspan=2 \| Other ! colspan=2 \| Total
2015–16	rowspan="1"\|Kukësi	rowspan="1"\|Albanian Superliga	8	0	4	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	12	0
rowspan=1 \| Total ! colspan=2 \| Kukësi !8\|\|0\|\|4\|\|0\|\|colspan="2"\|—\|\|colspan="2"\|—\|\|12\|\|0
colspan=3 \| Career total !218\|\|14\|\|44\|\|9\|\|11\|\|1\|\|2\|\|0\|\|275\|\|24

=International=

{{updated|1 February 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=27256|title=Franc Veliu - national football team player|publisher=EU-Football.info|accessdate=1 February 2016|date=1 February 2016}}[http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/43694/Franc_Veliu.html Franc Veliu | National Football Teams] 31 December 2014

Year	Apps	Goals
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! colspan=3 \| Albania national team
2011	3	0
2012	3	0
2013	1	0
Total\|\|7\|\|0

Honours

=Club=

;Flamurtari Vlorë

Albanian Cup: 2008–09, 2013–14

=Individual=

Albanian Superliga Player of the Month: November 2010{{cite news|url=http://www.arkivalajmeve.com/Franc-Veliu-i-Flamurtarit-lojtari-i-muajit-nentor.1046964394/|title=Franc Veliu i Flamurtarit lojtari i muajit nentor|trans-title=Flamurtari's Franc Veliu player of the month november|publisher=Arkiva e Lajmeve|language=Albanian|date=12 December 2010|accessdate=7 July 2015|archive-date=7 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707165718/http://www.arkivalajmeve.com/Franc-Veliu-i-Flamurtarit-lojtari-i-muajit-nentor.1046964394/|url-status=dead}}