Leart Paqarada
{{Short description|Kosovan footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Leart Paqarada
| image = Paqarada, Leart SVS 16-17 WP (cropped).jpg
| caption = Paqarada with SV Sandhausen in 2017
| fullname = Leart Shukri Paqarada
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|10|8|df=y}}
| birth_place = Aachen, Germany
| height = 1.84 m
| position = Left-back
| currentclub = 1. FC Köln
| clubnumber = 17
| youthyears1 = 1998–2003
| youthclubs1 = Werder Bremen
| youthyears2 = 2003–2012
| youthclubs2 = Bayer Leverkusen
| years1 = 2012–2014
| clubs1 = Bayer Leverkusen II
| caps1 = 30
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2014–2020
| clubs2 = SV Sandhausen
| caps2 = 152
| goals2 = 5
| years3 = 2020–2023
| clubs3 = FC St. Pauli
| caps3 = 95
| goals3 = 5
| years4 = 2023–
| clubs4 = 1. FC Köln
| caps4 = 48
| goals4 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2009–2010
| nationalteam1 = Germany U16
| nationalcaps1 = 7
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2010–2011
| nationalteam2 = Germany U17
| nationalcaps2 = 6
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2013
| nationalteam3 = Albania U21
| nationalcaps3 = 1
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2014–
| nationalteam4 = Kosovo
| nationalcaps4 = 28
| nationalgoals4 = 1
| club-update = 23 May 2025
| nationalteam-update = 19 June 2023
}}
Leart Shukri Paqarada (born 8 October 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back for German club 1. FC Köln. Born in Germany, he plays for the Kosovo national team.
Club career
=Early career=
Paqarada joined local club Werder Bremen at the age of four. After five years, he moved to Bayer Leverkusen, where he played at all youth levels. In November 2012, Paqarada was promoted to the club's reserve team, Bayer Leverkusen II. His debut with reserve team came on 17 November in a 3–2 away win against VfB Hüls after coming on as a substitute in the 89th minute in place of Tobias Steffen.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/11/17/germany/regionalliga/vfb-huls/bayer-04-leverkusen-ii/1314301/|title=Hüls vs. Bayer Leverkusen II 2–3|website=Soccerway|access-date=17 November 2012}}
=SV Sandhausen=
File:Testspiel FC Red Bull Salzburg gegen SV Sandhausen 11 (Paqarada) (2).JPG in 2016]]
In the summer of 2014, Paqarada joined 2. Bundesliga side SV Sandhausen. On 3 August 2014, he was named as a Sandhausen substitute for the first time in a league match against Darmstadt 98.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/08/03/germany/2-bundesliga/sv-darmstadt-1898-ev/sv-sandhausen/1713387/|title=Darmstadt 98 vs. Sandhausen 1–0|website=Soccerway|access-date=3 August 2014}} His debut with Sandhausen came seven days later in a 1–1 home draw against 1. FC Kaiserslautern after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/08/10/germany/2-bundesliga/sv-sandhausen/1-fc-kaiserslautern/1714009/|title=Sandhausen vs. Kaiserslautern 1–1|website=Soccerway|access-date=10 August 2014}}
=FC St. Pauli=
On 2 August 2020, Paqarada signed a three-year contract with 2. Bundesliga rivals FC St. Pauli,{{cite web|url=https://www.fcstpauli.com/en/news/published/st-pauli-complete-signing-of-leart-paqarada/|title=St. Pauli complete signing of Leart Paqarada|publisher=FC St. Pauli|date=2 August 2020}} joining on a free transfer.{{cite news|url=https://www.kicker.de/zwei_auf_einen_schlag_st_pauli_verpflichtet_paqarada_und_smarsch-780917/artikel|title=Zwei auf einen Schlag: St. Pauli verpflichtet Paqarada und Smarsch|trans-title=Two in one fell swoop: St. Pauli signs Paqarada and Smarsch|language=German|publisher=Kicker|date=2 August 2020}} On 13 September 2020, he made his debut with St. Pauli in the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal first round against SV Elversberg after being named in the starting line-up and assists in his side's first goal during a 4–2 away defeat.{{cite web|url=https://www.fcstpauli.com/news/leart-paqarada-und-jackson-irvine-sind-die-neuen-kapitane/|title=FC St. Pauli bow out of the DFB Cup in Round 1|publisher=FC St. Pauli|date=13 September 2020}} He established himself as a regular in the club's line-up and served as its captain during the 2022–23 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.fcstpauli.com/en/news/published/st-pauli-complete-signing-of-leart-paqarada/|title=Leart Paqarada und Jackson Irvine sind die neuen kapitäne|trans-title=Leart Paqarada and Jackson Irvine are the new captains|language=German|publisher=FC St. Pauli|date=15 July 2022}}
=1. FC Köln=
On 23 January 2023, Paqarada signed a three-year precontract with Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln and this transfer would become legally effective in July 2023.{{cite web|url=https://fc.de/en/fc-info/news/detailpage/details/leart-paqarada-joins-fc-in-the-summer/|title=Leart Paqarada joins FC in the summer|publisher=1. FC Köln|date=23 January 2023}}
International career
=Youth with Germany and Albania=
From 2009, until 2011, Paqarada represented Germany at youth international level, making 13 appearances for the U16 and U17 teams.{{DFB}} In February 2013, he became part of Albania U21 side with which he made his debut in a 0–0 home draw against Macedonia U21 after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazetatema.net/2013/02/06/shqiperia-u-21-barazim-0-0-ne-miqesoren-me-maqedonine/|title=Shqipëria U-21, barazim 0–0 në miqësoren me Maqedoninë|trans-title=Albania U-21, 0–0 draw in the friendly with Macedonia|language=Albanian|publisher=Gazeta Tema|date=6 February 2013}}
=Kosovo=
==First period==
On 4 September 2014, Paqarada received a call-up from Kosovo for the friendly match against Oman,{{cite web|url=https://topsporti.com/artikulli/ja-lista-kunder-omanit|title=Ja lista kundër Omanit|trans-title=Here is the list against Oman|language=Albanian|website=TopSporti|date=4 September 2014}} and made his debut after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=1651|title=Kosovo (1–0) Oman|website=eu-football.info|date=7 September 2014}} His last international match was on 24 March 2021 against Lithuania in Pristina.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=17374|title=Kosovo (4–0) Lithuania|website=eu-football.info|date=24 March 2021}} On 4 April 2021, Paqarada through an Instagram post announced his temporary international retirement due to the degradation, disrespect and ignorance that according to him was done by Kosovo's head coach Bernard Challandes and the possible return to the national team would occur if a new head coach is appointed.{{cite web|url=https://telegrafi.com/leart-paqarada-largohet-nga-perfaqesuesja-e-kosoves/|title=Leart Paqarada largohet nga Përfaqësuesja e Kosovës|trans-title=Leart Paqarada leaves the Kosovo national team|language=Albanian|publisher=Telegrafi|date=4 April 2021}}
==Second period==
On 16 September 2022, Paqarada upon return from retirement received a call-up from Kosovo for the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League matches against Northern Ireland and Cyprus,{{cite web|url=https://www.ffk-kosova.com/giresse-publikon-listen-e-dardaneve-per-ndeshjet-e-shtatorit/|title=Giresse publikon listën e Dardanëve për ndeshjet e shtatorit|trans-title=Giresse publishes the list of Dardanians for the September matches|language=Albanian|publisher=Football Federation of Kosovo|date=16 September 2022}} but due to injury, could not be part of the national team.{{cite web|url=https://telegrafi.com/konfirmohen-tre-mungesa-te-medha-per-kosoven-per-dy-ndeshjet-e-muajit-shtator/|title=Konfirmohen tre mungesa të mëdha për Kosovën për dy ndeshjet e muajit shtator|trans-title=Three major absences for Kosovo are confirmed for the two matches in September|language=Albanian|publisher=Telegrafi|date=19 September 2022}} On 25 March 2023, he made his first match with Kosovo after return from retirement in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Israel after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=18478|title=Israel (1–1) Kosovo|website=eu-football.info|date=25 March 2023}}
Personal life
Born in Aachen, Germany to Kosovo Albanian parents, Paqarada is the son of Shukri Paqarada, a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Prishtina.{{cite web|url=https://telegrafi.com/leart-paqarada-eshte-djali-legjendes-se-prishtines-foto/|title=Leart Paqarada është djali i legjendës së Prishtinës (Foto)|trans-title=Leart Paqarada is the son of the legend of Prishtina (Photo)|language=Albanian|publisher=Telegrafi|date=6 October 2016}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 18 May 2024|{{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="3"|Bayer Leverkusen II
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14
|Regionalliga West |27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 1 | |
| rowspan="7"|SV Sandhausen
|14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16
|2. Bundesliga |29 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17
|2. Bundesliga |18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 19 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18
|2. Bundesliga |30 | 3 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 3 | ||
| 2018–19
|2. Bundesliga |28 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 1 | ||
| 2019–20
|2. Bundesliga |32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!151 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 159 | 5 | |
| rowspan="4"|FC St. Pauli
|2. Bundesliga |30 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 1 | ||
| 2021–22
|2. Bundesliga |33 | 2 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 3 | ||
| 2022–23
|2. Bundesliga |32 | 3 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 3 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!95 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 102 | 7 | |
| 1. FC Köln
|17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 19 | 0 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!293 | 12 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 310 | 13 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 19 June 2023|{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=28797|title=Leart Paqarada|website=eu-football.info|access-date=19 June 2023}}}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="10"|Kosovo
|2014 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 28 | 1 |
:Scores and results list Kosovo's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Paqarada goal.{{NFT}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Leart Paqarada |
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition !scope="col" class="unsortable"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| align="center"|1
|{{Start date|2018|3|27|df=y}} |Stade Municipal Jean Rolland, Franconville, France |{{fb|BFA}} |align="center"|2–0 |align="center"|2–0 |
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway}}
- {{NFT}}
{{1. FC Köln squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paqarada, Leart}}
Category:Footballers from Aachen
Category:Kosovan men's footballers
Category:Kosovo men's international footballers
Category:Albanian men's footballers
Category:Albania men's under-21 international footballers
Category:German men's footballers
Category:Germany men's youth international footballers
Category:German people of Kosovan descent
Category:German people of Albanian descent
Category:Sportspeople of Albanian descent
Category:Men's association football fullbacks
Category:2. Bundesliga players
Category:Bayer 04 Leverkusen II players
Category:SV Sandhausen players