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Kristal Abazaj

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Kristal Abazaj, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 1 December 202512 sources
Kristal Abazaj
Born (1996-07-06) July 6, 1996 (age 30)
Elbasan, Albania
OccupationProfessional footballer
Years active2015–present
Known forRight winger for KF Tirana and Albania national team

Kristal Abazaj (born 6 July 1996) is a professional footballer from Albania who operates primarily as a right winger.

Luftëtari Gjirokastër

In July 2016, Abazaj underwent a trial period with the top-tier Albanian club Luftëtari FC,[1] before officially joining them in August of the same year. He made his first appearance in the 2016–17 season opener against Partizani Tirana, which ended in a 0–1 defeat.[2] Throughout that campaign, he featured in 35 matches and netted three goals, contributing to Luftëtari securing fourth place in the league. His impressive displays earned him recognition as one of the season’s standout young players.[3]

During the summer transfer window, Luftëtari declined several offers for Abazaj from both local and foreign clubs.[4][5] He started the subsequent season strongly by scoring goals in early fixtures against Teuta Durrës and Laçi.[6][7]

On 17 December, he scored an exceptional solo effort during a commanding 5–0 victory over Partizani Tirana.[8] For his performances in December, which included three goals across four games and played a crucial role in Luftëtari’s fight against relegation, he was honored with the Albanian Superliga Player of the Month award.[9]

At the conclusion of the 2017–18 campaign, Abazaj received the Albanian Superliga Talent of the Season accolade, becoming only the second player from Luftëtari to achieve this distinction.[10]

Skënderbeu Korçë

On 5 January 2018, Skënderbeu Korçë secured Abazaj’s signature through a pre-contract agreement worth €300,000.[11] He was loaned back to Luftëtari for the remainder of that season.[11]

Anderlecht

Abazaj committed to a three-year deal with Belgian side Anderlecht on 16 April 2018, with the transfer fee reported to be €750,000. He officially joined the club on 1 July 2018.[12]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Tirana

On 22 January 2023, Abazaj signed a contract lasting one and a half years with the capital’s team KF Tirana, adopting squad number 77.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name He made his first appearance four days later in a 2–0 away victory against Erzeni.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Shortly after his debut, an injury forced him out of action for over a month.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name He returned to training by early March,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name and netted his initial goals for the White and Blues on 16 April during a 2–1 comeback triumph over Egnatia.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Youth

Following impressive displays at Luftëtari, Abazaj was called up by coach Alban Bushi to join the Albania under-21 squad on 17 March 2017 for friendly matches against Moldova. He made his debut on 25 March, playing 66 minutes in a goalless draw, and scored his first goal two days later in a 2–0 victory.

Abazaj continued to feature for the under-21s, earning selection in June for a friendly against France as well as the opening qualifier versus Estonia. His competitive debut came on 12 June when he played 86 minutes in a scoreless draw. On 4 September 2017, he scored twice in a 3–2 away win over Iceland, securing Albania’s inaugural victory in Group 2.

Senior

Abazaj earned his first call-up to the Albania senior team from manager Christian Panucci on 16 March 2018 for a friendly against Norway, marking the first time in three decades that a Luftëtari player was included in the senior national squad. He made his senior debut on 29 May 2018 during a friendly against Kosovo, coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute for Emanuele Ndoj.

Personal life

Abazaj regards Brazilian forward Ronaldo as his inspirational figure. In December 2018, he disclosed that he has been an avid supporter of KF Tirana since childhood, frequently attending their matches alongside his family.

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Elbasani 2015–16 Kategoria e Parë 13 7 — — 13 7
Luftëtari FC 2016–17 Kategoria Superiore 33 3 2 0 — 35 3
2017–18 Kategoria Superiore 29 8 3 0 — 35 13
Total 62 12 5 0 — 67 16
Anderlecht 2018–19 Belgian Pro League 1 0 — — 1 0
2019–20 Belgian Pro League 0 0 — — 0 0
Total 1 0 — — 1 0
Osijek (loan) 2018–19 Prva HNL 9 1 — — 9 1
Kukësi (loan) 2019–20 Kategoria Superiore 34 10 4 0 — 38 10
İstanbulspor 2020–21 TFF First League 30 4 0 0 — 30 4
2021–22 TFF First League 5 0 — — 5 0
2022–23 Süper Lig 5 0 — — 5 0
Total 40 4 0 0 — 40 4
Tirana 2022–23 Kategoria Superiore 14 4 1 0 — 15 4
2023–24 36 11 0 0 4[lower-alpha 1] 0 4 0
Total 50 15 1 0 4 0 19 4
Career total 173 38 10 0 4 0 187 38


International Career

National Team Appearances and Goals by Year
National Team Year Appearances Goals
Albania 2018 1 0
2019 1 0
Total 2 0

Achievements

Tirana

Personal Accolades

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Transfer
  2. ↑ "Luftëtari Gjirokastër vs. Partizani Tirana 0 – 1". Soccerway. 7 September 2016.
  3. ↑ "Abazaj, zbulimi i bukur i Luftëtarit". SuperSport Albania. 17 February 2017.
  4. ↑ "Asare del në stërvitje, Tirana në sulm për Kristal Abazajn". Panorama Sport. 17 June 2017.
  5. ↑ ""Sirena" holandeze për Abazajn, u ka pëlqyer agjentëve të Herenvenit". Panorama Sport. 25 June 2017.
  6. ↑ "Teuta e nis me fitore, thyen 2-1 Luftëtarin". SuperSport Albania. 9 September 2017.
  7. ↑ "Laçi vs. Luftëtari Gjirokastër 0 – 1". Soccerway. 17 September 2017.
  8. ↑ "70 metra sprint, për golin e vitit, ja magjia e Abazajt(Video)". SuperSport Albania. 17 December 2017.
  9. ↑ "Kristal Abazaj, më i miri i dhjetorit". Sport Ekspres. 21 January 2018.
  10. ↑ "Abazaj merr çmimin "Talenti i sezonit"". Vip Sport. 21 May 2019.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Abazaj
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Anderlecht


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