Kushtrim Lushtaku

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Kushtrim Lushtaku

|image = Kushtrim Lushtaku 1860 2009.JPG

|image_size = 250

|caption = Lushtaku with 1860 Munich II

|fullname = Kushtrim Lushtaku

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|10|8|df=y}}

|birth_place = Skenderaj, SFR Yugoslavia

|height = {{convert|1.80|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

|position = Attacking midfielder

|currentclub = Türkspor Neckarsulm (player-manager)

|clubnumber = 99

|youthyears1 = 1994–1998 |youthclubs1 = TG Offenau

|youthyears2 = 1998–1999 |youthclubs2 = FSV Bad Friedrichshall

|youthyears3 = 1999–2006 |youthclubs3 = VfR Heilbronn

|years1 = 2006–2008 |clubs1 = TSG Backnang |caps1 = 10 |goals1 = 0

|years2 = 2008–2009 |clubs2 = Drenica |caps2 = 25 |goals2 = 10

|years3 = 2009–2011 |clubs3 = 1860 Munich II |caps3 = 27 |goals3 = 1

|years4 = 2011–2013 |clubs4 = Örebro |caps4 = 36 |goals4 = 4

|years5 = 2013–2014 |clubs5 = Fortuna Köln |caps5 = 6 |goals5 = 0

|years6 = 2014–2015 |clubs6 = Kukësi |caps6 = 38 |goals6 = 6

|years7 = 2015–2016 |clubs7 = Flamurtari Vlorë |caps7 = 21 |goals7 = 3

|years8 = 2016–2017 |clubs8 = Kukësi |caps8 = 19 |goals8 = 2

|years9 = 2017 |clubs9 = Trepça'89 |caps9 = 1 |goals9 = 0

|years10 = 2017–2018 |clubs10 = 1. CfR Pforzheim |caps10= 22 |goals10= 3

|years11 = 2019– |clubs11 = Türkspor Neckarsulm |caps11= 13 |goals11= 8

|nationalyears1 = 2008–2010 |nationalteam1 = Kosovo U21

|manageryears1 = 2019– |managerclubs1 = Türkspor Neckarsulm (player-manager)

|club-update = 8 December 2019

|nationalteam-update = 7 September 2014

}}

Kushtrim Lushtaku (born 8 October 1989) is a Kosovan professional footballer and manager who plays as an attacking midfielder and acts as a player-manager for Türkspor Neckarsulm.

Early life

Lushtaku was born in Skenderaj, SFR Yugoslavia but raised in Heilbronn, Germany.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

Club career

He began his career with TG Offenau. After four years there, he joined FSV Bad Friedrichshall in summer 1998.{{cite web|url=http://www.tsv1860.de/de/teams/spieler/2009/32-kushtrim-lushtaku.php |title=Steckbrief TSV 1860 München |language=German |publisher=tsv1860.de |accessdate=15 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120060823/http://www.tsv1860.de/de/teams/spieler/2009/32-kushtrim-lushtaku.php |archivedate=20 January 2010 }} He played for FSV Bad Friedrichshall for only one year. In July 1999, he signed for VfR Heilbronn{{cite web | url = http://www.heilbronn.de/kul_frei/sport/sportbericht_2002/_files/Sportbericht2003_04.pdf | title = Sportbericht 2003/2004 | language = German | publisher = tsv1860.de | accessdate = 15 August 2010 | archive-date = 21 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110721032021/http://www.heilbronn.de/kul_frei/sport/sportbericht_2002/_files/Sportbericht2003_04.pdf | url-status = dead }} and moved after two years to city rival FC Heilbronn.{{cite web | url = http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2-bundesliga/2010-11/1860-muenchen-5/58813/spieler_lushtaku-kushtrim.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100711081007/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2-bundesliga/2010-11/1860-muenchen-5/58813/spieler_lushtaku-kushtrim.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 11 July 2010 | title = Lushtaku, Kushtrim | language = German | publisher = Kicker | access-date = 15 August 2010}} Lushtaku played for five years for FC Heilbronn before joining TSG Backnang 1919 in summer 2006. After two successful years with TSG Backnang 1919 Lushtaku signed his first professional contract in the newly formed Kosovar Superliga for KF Drenica. In his first professional season he played 25 games, scored nine goals and rendered fifteen assists for his club.{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/1860-bindet-lushtaku-512188/artikel | title = 1860 bindet Lushtaku | language = German | publisher = Kicker | access-date = 15 August 2010 | date = 30 July 2009}}

=1860 München=

In summer 2009, he left KF Drenica and signed a four-year contract with TSV 1860 München, on 30 July 2009.{{cite news|url=http://www.tsv1860.de/de/aktuell/news/2009/news_2009-07-30_lushtaku.php|title=Lushtaku erhält Dreijahresvertrag|trans-title=Lushtaku receives a three-year contract|language=German|publisher=tsv1860.de|accessdate=15 August 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903051432/http://www.tsv1860.de/de/aktuell/news/2009/news_2009-07-30_lushtaku.php|archivedate=3 September 2009}}

=Örebro=

On 1 March 2011, Lushtaku signed with Allsvenskan team Örebro.{{cite news|url=http://www.fotbolltransfers.com/site/news/7272|title=Officiellt: Kushtrim Lushtaku klar för Örebro SK|trans-title=Official: Kushtrim Lushtaku signs for Örebro SK|publisher=Fotbolltransfers.com|language=Swedish|date=1 March 2011|accessdate=4 July 2017}} He made his competitive debut on 21 April by playing full-90 minutes as Örebro defeated 2–1 Häcken.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/04/21/sweden/allsvenskan/bollklubben-hacken/orebro-sportklubb-fotboll/1056192/|title=Häcken vs. Örebro 1 – 2|publisher=Soccerway|date=21 April 2011|accessdate=4 July 2017}} His first goal came later on 13 June in the match against Trelleborg, where Lushtaku scored in the last moments of the match as Örebro won 4–2.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/06/13/sweden/allsvenskan/orebro-sportklubb-fotboll/trelleborgs-fotbollsforening/1056248/|title=Örebro vs. Trelleborgs 4 – 2|publisher=Soccerway|date=13 June 2011|accessdate=4 July 2017}}

=Kukësi=

On 18 June 2014, Lushtaku completed a transfer as a free agent to Albanian Superliga side Kukësi by penning a one-year contract.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/firmos-lushtaku-vij-prej-gjicit-ju-bind-qe-ne-europe/|title=Firmos Lushtaku: Vij prej Gjicit, ju bind që në Europë|trans-title=Lushtaku signs: I came by Gjici, i convince in Europe|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|author=Jonuz Hallaçi|date=18 June 2014|accessdate=4 July 2017}}

=Flamurtari Vlorë=

On 31 August 2016, Lushtaku joined Flamurtari Vlorë on the deadline day by signing a one-year contract with an option of a further one.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/firmos-zeqiri-flamurtari-merr-edhe-kushtrim-lushtakun/|title=Firmos Zeqiri, Flamurtari merr edhe Kushtrim Lushtakun|trans-title=Zeqiri signs, Flamurtari takes Kushtrim Lushtaku|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=31 August 2015|accessdate=31 August 2015}}

=Return to Kukësi=

On 1 September 2016, Lushtaku rejoined Kukësi as a free agent, signing a contract for the 2016–17 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/arrihet-akordi-financiar-lushtaku-firmos-per-nje-vit-te-kukesi/|title=Arrihet akordi financiar, Lushtaku firmos për një vit te Kukësi|trans-title=Financial terms are reached, Lushtaku signs for one year at Kukësi|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=1 September 2016|accessdate=1 September 2016}} He made his return debut on 28 September 2016 by playing full-90 minutes in Kukësi 0–3 away defeat of Tomori Berat valid for the first leg of 2016–17 Albanian Cup first round.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/09/28/albania/cup/fk-tomori-berat/ks-perparimi-kukes/2360385/|title=Tomori Berat vs. Kukësi 0 – 3|publisher=Soccerway|date=28 September 2016|accessdate=4 July 2017}} His first league appearance came on matchday 9 against Luftëtari Gjirokastër where he played in the last 11 minutes of a 1–0 home win thanks to an Izair Emini winner.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/29/albania/super-league/ks-perparimi-kukes/ks-luftetari-gjirokaster/2342614/|title=Kukësi vs. Lufëtari Gjirokastër 1 – 0|publisher=Soccerway|date=29 October 2016|accessdate=4 July 2017}} Lushtaku's first score-sheet contributions came later on 21 November in the match against Teuta Durrës, where he came as a substitute to score the winner in the last minutes of the match.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/golat-vijne-nga-stoli-kukesi-permbys-teuten-dhe-mbetet-ne-krye-video/|title=Golat vijnë nga stoli, Kukësi përmbys Teutën dhe mbetet në krye (VIDEO)|trans-title=Goals came from the bench, Kukësi overturn Teuta and remains on lead (VIDEO)|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=21 November 2016|accessdate=4 July 2017}} His first match as starter came on matchday 16 where Kukësi stumbled into a 1–1 away draw against Korabi Peshkopi, with Lushtaku scoring his team's only goal.{{cite news|url=http://www.abcnews.al/lajme/sport/3/78582|title=Kukësi barazon me Korabin|trans-title=Kukësi drew with Korabi|publisher=ABC News|language=Albanian|date=14 December 2016|accessdate=4 July 2017}}

Lushtaku's second part of season didn't go as expected, as he did not break through Ernest Gjoka's lineup, finishing the season with 19 league appearances, which only two of them were as starter, collecting 442 minutes as Kukësi won its maiden Albanian Superliga title.{{cite news|url=http://telegrafi.com/kukesi-mposht-skenderbeun-fiton-titullin-e-pare-ne-histori/|title=Kukësi mposht Skënderbeun, fiton titullin e parë në histori|trans-title=Kukësi defeats Skënderbeu, win its first title in history|publisher=Telegraf.com|language=Albanian|date=20 May 2017|accessdate=3 July 2017}} He also made 5 cup appearances, all of them as starter, as Kukësi were eliminated in quarter-finals by Tirana.{{cite news|url=http://www.supersport.al/67701-2/|title=Tirana eliminon Kukësin nga Kupa e Shqipërisë|trans-title=Tirana eliminates Kukësi from Albanian Cup|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=Albanian|author=Rinald Bregasi|date=15 February 2017|accessdate=4 July 2017}} On 29 May 2017, not happy with the playing time he was receiving, Lushtaku left the club by terminating his contract.{{cite news|url=http://telegrafi.com/lushtaku-largohet-nga-kukesi/|title=Lushtaku largohet nga Kukësi|trans-title=Lushtaku leaves Kukësi|publisher=Telegraf.com|language=Albanian|date=29 May 2017|accessdate=4 July 2017}}

=Trepça'89=

On 5 June 2017. Lushtaku joined with Football Superleague of Kosovo champions Trepça'89.{{cite news|url=http://sportekspres.com/lushtaku-firmos-per-kampionet-e-kosoves/|title=Lushtaku firmos për kampionët e Kosovës|trans-title=Lushtaku signs for Kosovo champions|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|date=5 June 2017|accessdate=4 July 2017}}

=1. CfR Pforzheim=

On 1 October 2017. Lushtaku joined Oberliga Baden-Württemberg side 1. CfR Pforzheim. On 7 October 2017, he made his debut in a 0–2 home defeat against Bahlinger SC after being named in the starting line-up.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

=Türkspor Neckarsulm=

At the beginning of August 2019, Lushtaku joined Bezirksliga side Türkspor Neckarsulm, he made his debut on 25 August against FV Wüstenrot after being named in the starting line-up and scored his side's second goal during a 4–1 home win.{{cite news|url=https://www.fupa.net/spielberichte/tuerkspor-neckarsulm-fv-wuestenrot-8147613.html|title=Spielbericht Türkspor Neckarsulm – FV Wüstenrot|language=German|website=FuPa.net|access-date=25 August 2019}} At the beginning of September 2019, Lushtaku appointed as player-manager and on 12 September, he had his first match as Türkspor Neckarsulm player-manager in a 2–1 away defeat against Aramäer Heilbronn.{{cite news|url=https://www.fupa.net/spielberichte/aramaeer-heilbronn-tuerkspor-neckarsulm-8147636.html|title=Spielbericht Aramäer HN – Türk N´ulm|language=German|website=FuPa.net|access-date=12 September 2019}}

International career

=Under-21=

=Senior=

On 7 September 2014. Lushtaku making his debut with Kosovo in a friendly match against Oman after coming on as a substitute at 72nd minute in place of Shpëtim Hasani.

Honours

Fortuna Köln{{Soccerway|kushtrim-lushtaku/90237}}

Regionalliga West: 2013–14

Kukësi

Albanian Superliga: 2016–17

Individual

Albanian Superliga Player of the Month: November 2014{{cite news|title=Kukësi nuk shkon më shumë se barazimi me Apoloninë|trans-title=Kukësi doesn't go more than a draw with Apolonia|url=http://www.fk-kukesi.al/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=337:e-diel-7-dhjetor-2014&catid=34:lajme-super-liga&Itemid=58|publisher=FK Kukësi|language=Albanian|date=8 December 2014|accessdate=12 April 2015}}