Renato Arapi
{{short description|Albanian professional footballer|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Renato Arapi
| image = Renato Arapi.jpg
| caption = Arapi in 2011
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1986|9|28}}
| birth_place = Sukth, Durrës, PSR Albania
| height = 1.86 m
| position = Left-back, centre-back
| currentclub = Ohod Club (assistant coach)
| youthyears1 = 1993–2002 | youthclubs1 = Teuta
| youthyears2 = 2002–2003 | youthclubs2 = Dinamo Tirana
| years1 = 2003–2005
| clubs1 = Dinamo Tirana
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2003–2004
| clubs2 = → Erzeni (loan)
| caps2 = 2
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2005–2010
| clubs3 = Besa
| caps3 = 92
| goals3 = 3
| years4 = 2007–2009
| clubs4 = → Silkeborg (loan)
| caps4 = 23
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2009–2010
| clubs5 = → Shkumbini (loan)
| caps5 = 16
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2010–2016
| clubs6 = Skënderbeu
| caps6 = 150
| goals6 = 5
| years8 = 2016–2018
| clubs8 = Boluspor
| caps8 = 48
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2018–2019
| clubs9 = Afjet Afyonspor
| caps9 = 8
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2019–2021
| clubs10 = Teuta
| caps10 = 78
| goals10 = 3
| totalcaps = 418
| totalgoals = 12
| nationalyears1 = 2004–2005
| nationalteam1 = Albania U18
| nationalcaps1 = 13
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2005–2006
| nationalteam2 = Albania U19
| nationalcaps2 = 11
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 2006–2008
| nationalteam3 = Albania U21
| nationalcaps3 = 19
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2011–2015
| nationalteam4 = Albania
| nationalcaps4 = 4
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2021–2022
| managerclubs1 = Teuta
| manageryears2 = 2022–
| managerclubs2 = Ohod Club (assistant)
}}
Renato Arapi (born 28 August 1986) is an Albanian professional football coach and former left-back and centre-back. He is an assistant coach with the Saudi club Ohod Club.
Club career
=Early career=
Arapi first joined local club Teuta Durrës in 1993 as a young child, where he would remain for nine years, playing for the different youth teams within the club before leaving in 2002 to join Dinamo Tirana. Following his move he was placed into the U19 side with Dinamo Tirana, where his impressive displays earned him a call up to the senior side towards the end of the 2002–03 season, where he made his professional debut against his first club Teuta Durrës on 3 May 2003 in a 2–0 loss for Arapi's side.{{cite news|url=http://www.fshf.org/garat/components/match.php?match_id=140367|title=Teuta 2-0 Dinamo|publisher=FSHF.org|language=sq|date=3 May 2003|access-date=15 June 2016}} He was loaned out to Albanian First Division side Erzeni Shijak for the 2003–04 season, where he failed to break through into the first team and made two appearances for the club during his loan spell before returning to Dinamo Tirana. In the summer transfer window in 2005, Arapi left Dinamo Tirana after failing to establish himself in the first team at the club, and he joined newly promoted Albanian Superliga side Besa Kavajë.
=Besa Kavajë=
Arapi joined Besa Kavajë and quickly established himself as a first team regular, playing in 19 league games and scoring one goal in his first season with the club, helping them to a respectable mid table 5th finish.{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/alba06.html|title=Albania 2005-06|publisher=RSSF.com|access-date=15 June 2016}} The following season Besa Kavajë continued their good performances in the league, finishing once again in mid table, 6th out of 12 teams. Arapi was also a key figure in the club's Albanian Cup campaign which saw him win his first major trophy after beating Teuta Durrës 3–2 in the final.{{cite news|url=http://www.albaniasoccer.com/lajme/shqiperi/kupa/2045-besa-fiton-kupen-e-shqiperise.html|title=Besa fiton kupën e Shqiperisë|publisher=Albania Soccer|language=sq|date=9 May 2010|access-date=15 June 2016}} The following season he played the first half of the season with Besa Kavajë before going on a trial with Danish side Silkeborg and eventually joining the club on loan in January 2008 after impressing the management.
=Silkeborg=
He joined newly relegated Danish 1st Division side Silkeborg as a 21-year-old on a one-year loan deal from Besa Kavajë in January 2008 after initially impressing the club on trial.{{cite news|url=http://www.tipsbladet.dk/content/de-nye-i-silkeborg-imponerer|title=De nye i Silkeborg imponerer|publisher=Tips Bladet|language=sv|access-date=15 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714144210/http://www.tipsbladet.dk/content/de-nye-i-silkeborg-imponerer |archive-date=14 July 2014 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.bold.dk/nyt/Silkeborg-henter-albaner|title=Silkeborg henter albaner|publisher=Bold|language=sv|access-date=15 June 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://ekstrabladet.dk/?service=redirect&id=537994|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140615152813/http://ekstrabladet.dk/?service=redirect&id=537994|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 June 2014|title=Albaner på kontrakt i Silkeborg|publisher=Ekstrabladet.dk|language=sv|access-date=15 June 2016}} He joined the club mid season and featured in 10 league games, helping his side to a 3rd-place finish at the end of the 2007–08 season, missing out on the second promotion place to SønderjyskE. The following season he struggled for playing time, and only featured in 13 league games, but his side had a successful season in which they finished as runners-up in the league and earned promotion to the Danish Superliga. His loan deal expired at the end of the 2008–09 season and Silkeborg did not take up the option to sign Arapi permanently, thus meaning that he returned to his parent club Besa Kavajë.
=Return to Albania=
After a spell away from Albanian football, Arapi returned to his homeland in the summer of 2009 and quickly became an important first team player once again at Besa Kavajë, who had one of their best seasons in their history, after they finished as runners-up in the Albanian Superliga and they won the Albanian Cup. Arapi played in 31 league games and was a key driving force in Besa Kavajë's cup success, and he scored in the cup final against Vllaznia Shkodër in the 85th minute to take it to extra time, which is when Besa won the cup 2–1 over 120 minutes.{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/alba2010.html|title=Albania 2009-10|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|access-date=15 June 2016}}
=Skënderbeu Korçë=
On 12 June 2015, Arapi signed a new one-year extension to his contract, lengthening his Skënderbeu Korçë career to six seasons.{{cite news|url=http://telesport.al/renato-arapi-edhe-nje-vit-i-skenderbeut/|title=Renato Arapi, edhe një vit i Skënderbeut|publisher=Telesport.al|language=sq|date=12 June 2015|access-date=15 June 2016}}
On 14 June 2016, Arapi officially announced his departure from the club after six years via an open later to the fans.{{cite news|url=http://www.supersport.al/zyrtare-arapi-largohet-nga-skenderbeu/|title=Zyrtare, Arapi largohet nga Skënderbeu|publisher=Super Sport Albania|language=sq|author=Sotir Kora|date=14 June 2016|access-date=15 June 2016}} He stated that the left the club for familial reasons.{{cite news|url=http://sportekspres.com/arapi-largohet-nga-skenderbeu/|title=Arapi largohet nga Skënderbeu|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=sq|date=14 June 2016|access-date=15 June 2016}} He, along with Bledi Shkëmbi and Orges Shehi were the only players that won six consecutive league titles for the club.
=Partizani Tirana=
On 17 June 2016, Arapi joined fellow Albanian Superliga side Partizani Tirana on free transfer, signing a one-year contract.{{cite news|url=http://minuta90.com/arapi-zyrtarisht-i-partizanit/|title=Arapi zyrtarisht i Partizanit|publisher=Minuta90.al|language=sq|date=17 June 2016|access-date=28 June 2016}} He was given the squad number 3, and made his competitive debut on 28 June in 2016–17 UEFA Europa League first qualifying round against Slovan Bratislava, which ended in a goalless draw.{{cite news|url=http://www.gazeta-shqip.com/lajme/2016/06/28/europa-league-partizani-barazon-me-slovan-bratislaven/|title=Europa League, Partizani barazon me Slovan Bratislavën|publisher=Gazeta Shqip|language=sq|date=17 June 2016|access-date=28 June 2016}}
=Back to Teuta Durrës=
On 30 January 2019, Arapi moved back to his home country after over two years in Turkey, and joined Teuta Durrës.[https://balkanweb.com/zyrtare-teuta-firmos-me-renato-arapin/ Zyrtare, Teuta firmos me Renato Arapin], balkanweb.com, 30 January 2019 After helping them win three trophies as captain, he retired on 19 August 2021.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/lajm-i-fundit-teuta-reagon-pas-terheqjes-se-arapit-kjo-eshte-nje-mirupafshim-ka-nje-dere-te-hapur-per/|title=Teuta njofton tërheqjen e Arapit: Kjo është një mirupafshim, ka një derë të hapur për…|trans-title=Teuta announce Arapi's retirement: This is a goodbye, he has a door open for|language=Albanian|publisher=Panorama Sport|date=19 August 2021|accessdate=19 August 2021}}
Post-playing career
After retiring from playing, on 20 August 2021, Teuta announced that Arapi would become their new sporting director.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/lajmi-i-fundit-u-terhoq-nga-futbolli-zbulohet-posti-qe-renato-arapi-merr-tek-teuta/|title=U tërhoq nga futbolli, zbulohet posti që Renato Arapi merr tek Teuta|trans-title=He retired from football, Renato Arapi's new position at Teuta is announced|language=Albanian|publisher=Panorama Sport|date=20 August 2021|accessdate=20 August 2021}}
International career
Arapi was selected by Josip Kuže for a friendly against Argentina on 20 June 2011, receiving thus his first call-up to the senior side.{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/60592/argentina-vs-albania/preview|title=Argentina vs Albania Preview|author=Roger Gonzalez|publisher=Goal|access-date=26 June 2011|date=19 June 2011}} He made his debut in the game which ended in a 4–0 loss by entering as an 81st-minute substitute.{{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=it|publisher=Sport Live|access-date=26 June 2011|date=21 June 2011}}{{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=lt|publisher=Sportas Delfi|access-date=26 June 2011|date=21 June 2011}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|6 August 2015}}{{cite news |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/renato-arapi/42247/ |title=Albania – R. Arapi – Profile with news, career statistics and history |website=Soccerway |date=15 June 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016}}{{citation needed|date=March 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 |
| rowspan="4"|Dinamo Tirana
|rowspan="3"|Albanian Superliga |1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 2003–04
|0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 2004–05
|0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||||
| Erzeni Shijak
|2003–04 |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||||
| rowspan="5"|Besa Kavajë
|rowspan="4"|Albanian Superliga |19 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 19 | 1 | |||||
| 2006–07
|27 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 1 | |||||
| 2007–08
|15 | 1 | 3{{efn|name=UEF|Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=ALB|Appearance in Albanian Supercup}} | 0 | 19 | 1 | |||
| 2009–10
|31 | 0 | 6 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!92 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 102 | 4 | |
| rowspan="3"|Silkeborg IF
|rowspan="2"|Danish 1st Division |10 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 0 | |||||
| 2008–09
|13 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 0 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!23 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 0 | |||||
| Shkumbini Peqin
|Albanian Superliga |16 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 0 | |||||
| rowspan="7"|KF Skënderbeu Korçë
|rowspan="6"|Albanian Superliga |15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 0 | |||
| 2011–12
|23 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UCL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=ALB}} | 0 | 36 | 0 | |
| 2012–13
|15 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=ALB}} | 0 | 21 | 2 | |
| 2013–14
|30 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 5{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=ALB}} | 0 | 42 | 3 | |
| 2014–15
|33 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=ALB}} | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
| 2015–16
|34 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8{{efn|name=UCL UEL|Appearance(s) in both UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=ALB}} | 0 | 43 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!150 | 5 | 33 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 198 | 6 | |
| Partizani Tirana
|Albanian Superliga |colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|name=UCL UEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Boluspor
|rowspan="2"|TFF First League |19 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18
|29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!48 | 1 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 52 | 1 | |||
| Afyonspor
|TFF First League |8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="5"|Teuta Durrës
|rowspan="4"|Albanian Superliga |15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 1 | |||
| 2019–20
|30 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2{{efn|name=UEF}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 2 | ||
| 2020–21
|33 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2{{efn|name=UEF}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=ALB}} | 0 | 39 | 2 | |
| 2021–22
|colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!78 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 99 | 5 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!418 | 12 | 55 | 4 | 38 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 516 | 16 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|15 June 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=27257 |title=Football PLAYER: Renato Arapi |publisher=EU-Football.info |date=15 June 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/43698.html |title=name=Renato Arapi |website=National-Football-Teams.com |access-date=15 June 2016}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="3"|Albania
|2011 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 4 | 0 |
Honours
- Albanian Cup: 2006–07, 2009–10
- Danish 1st Division runner-up: 2008–09
- Albanian Superliga (6): 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16
- Albanian Supercup: 2013, 2014
Individual
- Albanian Superliga Team of the Year: 2013–14
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
{{Portal|Biography|Association football}}
- {{UEFA|68808}}
- {{Soccerway|renato-arapi/42247}}
- [http://www.sif-support.dk/Spiller.asp?id=141 Silkeborg IF profile]
{{2013–14 Albanian Superliga Team of the Year}}
{{KF Teuta Durrës managers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Arapi, Renato}}
Category:Footballers from Durrës County
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Men's association football fullbacks
Category:Albanian men's footballers
Category:Albania men's international footballers
Category:FC Dinamo City players
Category:KF Erzeni Shijak players
Category:KF Besa Kavajë players
Category:KF Shkumbini Peqin players
Category:KF Skënderbeu Korçë players
Category:Albanian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Denmark
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Denmark
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey
Category:Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey
Category:Kategoria Superiore players
Category:Danish 1st Division players
Category:Albanian football managers
Category:Kategoria Superiore managers
Category:Albanian expatriate football managers
Category:Expatriate football managers in Saudi Arabia