Mirlind Daku
{{short description|Albanian footballer (born 1998)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Mirlind Daku
| image = Daku Barrios (cropped).jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|1|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = Prilepnica, FR Yugoslavia
| height = 1.92 m
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Rubin Kazan
| clubnumber = 10
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}
| youthclubs1 = Gjilani
| youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2017
| youthclubs2 = Hajvalia
| years1 = 2017
| clubs1 = Hajvalia
| caps1 = 3
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2017–2018
| clubs2 = Llapi
| caps2 = 45
| goals2 = 23
| years3 = 2018–2021
| clubs3 = Osijek II
| caps3 = 15
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2019–2020
| clubs4 = → Kukësi (loan)
| caps4 = 13
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2020–2021
| clubs5 = → Ballkani (loan)
| caps5 = 42
| goals5 = 35
| years6 = 2021–2023
| clubs6 = Osijek
| caps6 = 12
| goals6 = 3
| years7 = 2022–2023
| clubs7 = → Mura (loan)
| caps7 = 49
| goals7 = 24
| years8 = 2023–
| clubs8 = Rubin Kazan
| caps8 = 54
| goals8 = 25
| nationalyears1 = 2017–2020
| nationalteam1 = Kosovo U21
| nationalcaps1 = 12
| nationalgoals1 = 3
| nationalyears2 = 2020–2021
| nationalteam2 = Kosovo
| nationalcaps2 = 5
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2023–
| nationalteam3 = Albania
| nationalcaps3 = 11
| nationalgoals3 = 1
| club-update = 24 May 2025
| nationalteam-update = 19 November 2024
}}
Mirlind Daku (born 1 January 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Russian Premier League club Rubin Kazan. At international level, he played for the Kosovo national team in 2020 and 2021, before switching his national allegiance to Albania in 2023.
Club career
=Llapi=
On 24 January 2017, Daku signed a five-year contract with Football Superleague of Kosovo club Llapi.{{cite news|url=https://telegrafi.com/zyrtare-llapi-transferon-tre-futbolliste-foto/|title=Zyrtare: Llapi transferon tre futbollistë (Foto)|trans-title=Official: Llapi transfers three footballers|quote=Skuadra nga Podujeva ka afruar një qendërsulmues dhe dy mesfushor me tipare sulmuese si Mirlind Daku qe vjen nga Hajvalia, Qëndrim Dautaj nga Gjilani dhe Alban Mavriqi nga Drita e Gjilanit|language=sq|publisher=Telegrafi|date=31 January 2017}} On 18 February 2017, he made his debut with Llapi in the 2016–17 Kosovar Cup fifth round against Feronikeli after coming on as a 95th-minute substitute in place of Berat Hyseni and scoring his side's second goal during a 4–2 away win after penalties.{{cite news|url=https://topsporti.com/artikulli/penalltite-vendosin-llapi-ne-cerekfinale|title=Penalltitë vendosin, Llapi në çerekfinale!|trans-title=Penalties decide, Llapi in the quarterfinals!|quote=Në kohën shtesë, përsëri të parët në epërsi kaluan llapjanët me golin e Mirlind Dakut, i cili me dinakëri e shfrytëzoi gabimin e Ardian Limanit në mbrojtjen vendase|language=sq|website=TopSporti|date=18 February 2017}}
=Osijek=
==First season at second team==
On 20 July 2018, Daku joined Croatian Second League side Osijek II,{{cite news|url=https://telegrafi.com/daku-prezantohet-te-osijeku-hap-madh-per-mua/|title=Daku prezantohet te Osijeku: Hap i madh për mua|trans-title=Daku is presented to Osijek: Great step for me|language=sq|publisher=Telegrafi|date=20 July 2018}} on a four-year contract.{{cite news|url=http://futbollikosovar.com/zyrtare-daku-transferohet-te-osijek-nenshkruan-kontrate-afatgjate/20419/superliga/|title=Zyrtare: Daku transferohet te Osijek, nënshkruan kontratë afatgjate|trans-title=Official: Daku transferred to Osijek, signs a long-term contract|quote=20-vjeçari ka arritur marrëveshje me skuadrën e Osijekut dhe ka nënshkruar për 4 vite me skuadrën kroate, ka konfirmuar për Sportin në KTV, drejtori për transferime të jashtme në skuadrën e Llapit, Afrim Ajeti|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720135650/http://futbollikosovar.com/zyrtare-daku-transferohet-te-osijek-nenshkruan-kontrate-afatgjate/20419/superliga/|language=sq|website=Futbolli Kosovar|date=19 July 2018|archive-date=20 July 2018}} On 25 August 2018, he made his debut in a 2–2 away draw against Šibenik after being named in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2018/08/25/croatia/2-hnl/hnk-sibenik/osijek-ii/2858256/|title=Šibenik vs. Osijek II 2–2|website=Soccerway|access-date=25 August 2018}} Eight days later, he scored his first goal for Osijek II in his second appearance for the club in a 1–0 home win over Sesvete in Croatian Second League.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2018/09/02/croatia/2-hnl/osijek-ii/nk-radnik-sesvete/2858265/|title=Osijek II vs. Sesvete 1–0|website=Soccerway|access-date=2 September 2018}}
===Loan at Kukësi===
On 24 July 2019, Daku joined Kategoria Superiore side Kukësi, on a season-long loan.{{cite news|url=https://fk-kukesi.al/2019/07/24/njoftim-i-klubit-futbollisti-i-perfaqesuesues-u-21-se-kosoves-huazohet-te-kukesi/|title=Njoftim i Klubit/Futbollisti i përfaqësueses U-21 së Kosovës huazohet te Kukësi!|trans-title=Club Announcement/Footballer of Kosovo national U-21 team is loan to Kukësi!|language=sq|publisher=FK Kukësi|date=24 July 2019}} On 18 August 2019, he made his debut with Kukësi in the 2019 Albanian Supercup against Partizani Tirana after coming on as a 66th-minute substitute in place of Vasil Shkurtaj.{{cite news|url=https://www.balkanweb.com/super-brajan-braun-partizani-fiton-superkupen-e-shqiperise/|title=Super Brajan Braun, Partizani fiton Superkupën e Shqipërisë|trans-title=Super Brian Brown, Partizan wins the Albanian Supercup|language=sq|website=BalkanWeb|date=18 August 2019}} A month later, Daku scored his first goal for Kukësi in his sixth appearance for the club in a 3–1 away win over Shkumbini in Albanian Cup.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2019/09/18/albania/cup/ks-shkumbini-peqin/ks-perparimi-kukes/3162340/|title=Shkumbini Peqin vs. Kukësi 1–3|website=Soccerway|access-date=18 September 2019}}
===Loan at Ballkani===
On 11 January 2020, Daku was loaned out to Football Superleague of Kosovo club Ballkani until the end of the 2019–20 season.{{cite news|url=https://telegrafi.com/ballkani-kryen-goditjen-e-madhe-zyrtarizon-sulmuesin-mirlind-daku/|title=Ballkani kryen goditjen e madhe, zyrtarizon sulmuesin Mirlind Daku|trans-title=Ballkani performs the big blow, officiates the attacker Mirlind Daku|language=sq|publisher=Telegrafi|date=11 January 2020}} On 29 February 2020, he made his debut in a 0–0 away draw against Prishtina after coming on as a 59th-minute substitute in place of Artur Magani.{{cite news|url=https://gazetainfokus.com/futbollisti-i-kombetares-se-kosoves-debuton-ne-takimin-prishtina-ballkani/|title=Futbollisti i Kombëtares së Kosovës debuton në takimin, Prishtina – Ballkani|trans-title=The footballer of the Kosovo national team debuts in the match, Prishtina – Ballkani|quote=Në minutën e 59' në lojë për Ballkanin ka hyrë sulmuesi i Kombëtares së Kosovës U-21, Mirlind Daku. Daku ka hyrë në vend të Artur Maganit dhe ka bërë debutimin me fanellën e Ballkanit|language=sq|website=Gazeta inFokus|date=29 February 2020}}
==Return from loan as first team player==
On 24 June 2021, Daku returned to Croatian First League side Osijek.{{cite news|url=https://insporti.com/mirlind-daku-nis-stervitjet-me-osijek/|title=Mirlind Daku nis stërvitjet me Osijek|trans-title=Mirlind Daku starts training with Osijek|language=sq|website=Insporti|date=24 June 2021}} On 8 August 2021, he made his debut in a 2–1 away win against Hrvatski Dragovoljac after coming on as a 78th-minute substitute in place of Antonio Mance.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/08/08/croatia/1-hnl/nk-hrvatski-dragovoljac/nk-osijek/3513747/|title=Hrvatski Dragovoljac vs. Osijek 1–2|website=Soccerway|access-date=8 August 2021}} A day after debut, he signed a four-year contract extension with Osijek.{{cite web|url=https://nk-osijek.hr/vijesti/30289/daku-produzio-ugovor/|title=Daku produžio ugovor|trans-title=Daku extended his contract|language=Croatian|publisher=NK Osijek|date=9 August 2021}} Three days later, Daku made his continental debut in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round against Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia after coming on as a second-half substitute in place of Yevhen Cheberko.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/08/12/europe/uefa-europa-conference-league/nk-osijek/pfc-cska-sofia/3568714/|title=Osijek vs. CSKA Sofia 1–1|website=Soccerway|access-date=12 August 2021}} On 15 September 2021, he scored his first goal for Osijek in his fifth appearance for the club in a 3–0 away win over Bednja Beletinec in Croatian Cup.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/09/15/croatia/hr-nogometni-cup/bednja/nk-osijek/3630575/|title=Bednja vs. Osijek 0–3|website=Soccerway|access-date=15 September 2021}}
===Loan at Mura===
On 7 February 2022, Daku was loaned out to Slovenian PrvaLiga club Mura until the end of the 2021–22 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.nsmura.si/news/mirlind-daku-je-carno-bejli|title=Mirlind Daku je čarno-bejli!|trans-title=Mirlind Daku is black and white!|language=sl|publisher=NŠ Mura|date=7 February 2022}} Six days later, he made his debut against Bravo after being named in the starting line-up, and assisted his side's two goals during a 2–2 home draw.{{cite web|url=https://www.nsmura.si/news/koncnica-tekme-odnesla-dva-gola-prednosti-in-zmago|title=Končnica tekme odnesla dva gola prednosti in zmago|trans-title=The final minutes of the match took away two goals advantage and a victory|language=sl|publisher=NŠ Mura|date=13 February 2022|access-date=15 February 2022}}
After scoring 5 goals in 16 league appearances,{{cite web |title=Mirlind Daku » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/mirlind-daku/2/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=24 June 2022 |language=en}} his loan was extended for another season in June 2022.{{cite web |author1=R. Š. |title=Daku ponovno v črno-belem, iz Fazanerije strupene puščice uperili proti Koutru |url=https://snportal.si/slovenska-tekmovanja/prva-liga/daku-ponovno-v-crno-belem-iz-fazanerije-strupene-puscice-uperili-proti-koutru/ |website=Slovenski nogometni portal |access-date=24 June 2022 |language=sl-SI |date=21 June 2022}}
=Rubin Kazan=
On 11 July 2023, Daku signed a three-year contract with Russian Premier League club Rubin Kazan.{{cite web |title="Рубин" объявил о переходе Мирлинда Даку |url=https://sport.tatar-inform.ru/news/rubin-obyavil-o-perexode-mirlinda-daku-5884926 |website=sport.tatar-inform.ru |access-date=11 July 2023 |language=ru-RU |date=11 July 2023}}{{cite web |title=Новичок "Рубина" Даку выберет игровой номер по результатам голосования болельщиков |url=https://sport.business-gazeta.ru/news/285990 |website=sport.business-gazeta.ru |access-date=11 July 2023 |language=ru |date=11 July 2023}}
International career
=Kosovo=
On 21 March 2017, Daku received a call-up from the Kosovo national under-21 team for a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against the Republic of Ireland.{{cite web|url=http://www.ffk-kosova.com/federata/?p=17931|title=Lista e futbollistëve të Përfaqësueses U21|trans-title=List of the players of national U21 team|language=sq|publisher=Football Federation of Kosovo|date=21 March 2017}} He made his debut for the side on 9 November, in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Israel, coming on as a 54th-minute substitute in place of Ardit Gashi.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/11/09/europe/uefa-u21-championship/kosovo-u21/israel-under-21/2429814/|title=Kosovo U21 vs. Israel U21 0–4|website=Soccerway|access-date=9 November 2017}}
On 22 January 2018, Daku received his first call-up from the Kosovo national senior team for a friendly match against Azerbaijan.{{cite news|url=http://www.korneri.net/lajmi-i-fundit-lista-e-kosoves-kunder-azerbeixhanit/|title=Lajmi i fundit: Lista e Kosovës kundër Azerbajxhanit|trans-title=Breaking news: List of Kosovo versus Azerbaijan|language=sq|website=Korneri|date=22 January 2018|access-date=22 January 2018}} The match, however, was cancelled two days later.{{cite web|url=http://www.affa.az/index.php/news/friendly-match-cancelled/61160|title=Friendly match canceled|quote=According to the results of the UEFA Nations League's draws held in Lausanne, Switzerland today, it was defined that Azerbaijan and Kosovo national teams will compete in the same group. Thereby the match planned to be held between these teams in Antalya, Turkey on February 2 was canceled. The both football federations' officials met after the draw ceremony and reached a mutual agreement in this regard|publisher=Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan|date=25 January 2018}} He won his first cap for Kosovo on 11 November 2020, in a friendly match against Albania, coming on as an 84th-minute substitute in place of Florent Hadergjonaj.{{cite news|url=https://zeri.info/sport/376628/mirlind-daku-realizon-endrren-debuton-me-kosoven-kunder-shqiperise/|title=Mirlind Daku realizon ëndrrën, debuton me Kosovën kundër Shqipërisë|trans-title=Mirlind Daku realizes the dream, debuts with Kosovo against Albania|language=sq|website=Zeri.info|date=22 January 2018|access-date=11 November 2020}}
=Albania=
In June 2023, Daku obtained the Albanian passport, making him eligible to play for the Albania national team.{{cite web|url=https://www.supersport.al/foto-nje-alternative-me-shume-per-sylvinhon-lojtari-dardan-merr-pasaporten-shqiptare/|title=FOTO/ Një alternativë më shumë për Sylvinhon, lojtari dardan merr pasaportën shqiptare|trans-title=Another alternative for Sylvinho, the dardanian player obtains the Albanian passport|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=sq|date=25 June 2023|access-date=25 June 2023}} On 1 September 2023, he received a call-up from Albania for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Czech Republic and Poland.{{cite web|url=https://fshf.org/sq/kualifikueset-e-euro-2024-sylvinho-zbardh-listen-me-emrat-e-25-lojtareve-per-sfidat-me-cekine-polonine/|title=Kualifikueset e Euro 2024 / Sylvinho zbardh listën me emrat e 25 lojtarëve për sfidat me Çekinë & Poloninë|trans-title=Euro 2024 Qualifiers / Sylvinho releases the list of the 25 players for the matches against Czechia and Poland|language=sq|publisher=Albanian Football Association|date=1 September 2023|access-date=1 September 2023}} He made his debut against the former on 7 September, coming on as a second-half substitution in a 1–1 draw.{{cite web |title=Czech Republic vs Albania, 7 September 2023 |url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=18386 |website=eu-football.info |access-date=10 September 2023 |language=en}}{{cite web|access-date=8 September 2023|date=7 September 2023|language=sq|title=EURO 2024/ Shqipëria barazon me Çekinë në Pragë|url=https://fshf.org/sq/euro-2024-shqiperia-barazon-me-cekine-ne-prage/}}
On 8 June 2024, he was selected in the 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.{{cite news |date=8 June 2024 |title=Trajneri Silvinjo publikon listën e Kombëtares me emrat e 26 lojtarëve për Kampionatin Europian "Gjermani 2024" |trans-title=Coach Sylvinho publishes the national team list with the names of 26 players for the European Championship "Germany 2024" |url=https://fshf.org/sq/trajneri-silvinjo-publikon-listen-e-kombetares-me-emrat-e-26-lojtareve-per-kampionatin-europian-gjermani-2024/ |language=sq |publisher=Albanian Football Federation |access-date=8 June 2024}} On 19 June, after a 2–2 draw with Croatia, he shouted "fuck Macedonia" and "fuck Serbs" with fans using a megaphone at the Volksparkstadion.{{cite web |last=Slater |first=Matt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5579193/2024/06/20/uefa-croatia-albania-investigation-euro-2024/ |title=UEFA launches investigation into Albania and Croatia fan chants after Serbia threat to quit Euro 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=20 June 2024 }} He later apologized for his actions.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c722lll2lnvo |title=Albania's Daku apologises for fascist chants |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 June 2024 }} However, he was handed a two-game ban following the incident.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c5111xlvvy6o |title=Daku given two-game ban after offensive chants |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 June 2024 }}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 24 May 2025}}
| 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"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Hajvalia
|3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Llapi
|Kosovo Superleague |15 | 6 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 19 | 7 | |||
| 2017–18
|Kosovo Superleague |30 | 17 | 3 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 20 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!45 | 23 | 7 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 52 | 27 | |||
| Osijek II
|15 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 2 | ||||
| Kukësi (loan)
|13 | 1 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in Albanian Supercup}} | 0 | 16 | 2 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Ballkani (loan)
|Kosovo Superleague |8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 5 | |||
| 2020–21
|Kosovo Superleague |34 | 31 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 31 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!42 | 35 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 46 | 36 | |||
| Osijek
|12 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1{{efn|name=UECL|Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 4 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Mura (loan)
|16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 5 | |||
| 2022–23
|Slovenian PrvaLiga |33 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 3{{efn|name=UECL}} | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 38 | 23 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!49 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 54 | 28 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Rubin Kazan
|28 | 10 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 10 | |||
| 2024–25
|Russian Premier League |26 | 15 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 15 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!54 | 25 | 8 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 62 | 25 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!233 | 113 | 26 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 264 | 124 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 19 November 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4" |Kosovo | |||
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total
!5 !0 | |||
| rowspan="4" |Albania | |||
| 2023 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total||9||1 | |||
| colspan="2" |Career total
!11 !1 |
:Scores and results list Albania's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Daku goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Mirlind Daku | ||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=center|1 | 10 September 2023 | Arena Kombëtare, Tirana, Albania | {{fb|POL}} | align=center|2–0 | align=center| 2–0 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|mirlind-daka/459512}}
- {{GSA player|mirlind-daku/221103}}
{{FC Rubin Kazan squad}}
{{Albania squad UEFA Euro 2024}}
{{Football Superleague of Kosovo top scorers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Daku, Mirlind}}
Category:Footballers from Gjilan
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Albanian men's footballers
Category:Albania men's international footballers
Category:Kosovan men's footballers
Category:Kosovo men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Kosovo men's international footballers
Category:Dual internationalists (men's football)
Category:Kosovan expatriate men's footballers
Category:Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in Croatia
Category:Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in Slovenia
Category:Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in Russia
Category:Albanian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Croatia
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Slovenia
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Russia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Croatia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Slovenia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Russia
Category:FC Rubin Kazan players
Category:Football Superleague of Kosovo players
Category:First Football League (Croatia) players
Category:Kategoria Superiore players
Category:Croatian Football League players
Category:Slovenian PrvaLiga players
Category:Russian Premier League players