Egli Kaja
Albanian professional footballer (born 1997)
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Egli Kaja (born 26 July 1997) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a winger. Kaja also represents Albania and received his first international call-up in May 2017.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Egli Kaja[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 26 July 1997 | ||
| Place of birth | Prelez i Jerlive, Ferizaj, FR Yugoslavia (modern Kosovo) | ||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[2] | ||
| Position | Winger | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2003–2006 | MHD | ||
| 2006–2008 | Kingstonian | ||
| 2008–2015 | AFC Wimbledon | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2019 | AFC Wimbledon | 22 | (0) |
| 2016 | → Lewes (loan) | 7 | (1) |
| 2018 | → Livingston (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | Northampton Town | 4 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | AFC Wimbledon | 5 | (0) |
| 2022 | Hampton & Richmond Borough | 2 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | Altrincham | 15 | (1) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 14:31, 10 May 2023 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 13 May 2017 | |||
Club career
Kaja's career began in 2003 with youth side MHD, where he was offered the opportunity to join Middlesbrough.[3] Having finished as top scorer for three consecutive seasons, Kaja joined Kingstonian in 2006 upon moving to London.[4] Once again finishing as top scorer in the youth set-up, he turned down a trial with Chelsea in order to join AFC Wimbledon.[3] Enjoying a brief stint with AC Milan on trial, he later featured for the Dons on a scholarship, and turned down a second chance to compete for a contract in Milan the following season.[3]
Kaja signed a professional contract with AFC Wimbledon in April 2015, and made his first team debut on Saturday 26 September.[5] Coming off the bench in a 2–0 defeat to Luton Town,[6] he also made a substitute appearance three days later in a 1–1 draw with Northampton Town.[7] He scored his first goal for Wimbledon in an EFL Trophy tie against Barnet on 29 August 2017.[8]
On 16 December 2016 Kaja was sent on loan to Lewes in the 2016–17 Isthmian League for one month.[9] He made his debut on 31 December 2016 against Three Bridges in a 4–2 win.[10] He scored his first and only goal for Lewes on 10 January 2017 against Herne Bay in a 2–4 away win.[11]
In July 2018, Kaja joined newly promoted Scottish Premiership side Livingston on a season-long loan but was recalled by new Wimbledon manager Wally Downes in December.[12]
On 2 September 2019, Kaja joined Northampton on a free transfer until January 2020.
On 26 November 2021, Kaja returned to AFC Wimbledon on a short-term deal.[13]
On 5 August 2022, following his release from AFC Wimbledon, Kaja joined Hampton & Richmond Borough after impressing during pre-season.[14]
Just a few days after joining Hampton & Richmond Borough, Kaja left to join Altrincham.[15] He was released at the end of the 2022–23 season.[16]
International career
Kaja received his first international call up at the Albania national under-21 football team by coach Alban Bushi for a gathering between 14 and 17 May 2017 with most of the players selected from Albanian championships.[17]
Style of play
Kaja is able to "play on either wing, or be deployed as a second striker".[12] Upon signing for Livingston on loan, player-manager Kenny Miller described him as "quick, powerful and direct" adding that he "will bring a different dimension to our offensive options".[12]
Career statistics
Club
- As of end of 2022–23 season [18]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| AFC Wimbledon | 2015–16[19] | League Two | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016–17[20] | League One | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2017–18[21] | League One | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4[a] | 2 | 24 | 2 | |
| Total | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 27 | 2 | ||
| Lewes (loan) | 2016–17[20] | Isthmian League Premier Division | 7 | 1 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||
| Livingston (loan) | 2018–19[22] | Scottish Premiership | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | |
| Northampton Town | 2019–20[23] | League Two | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| AFC Wimbledon | 2021–22[24] | League One | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Hampton & Richmond Borough | 2022–23[25] | National League South | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Altrincham | 2022–23[25] | National League | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[b] | 0 | 18 | 1 | |
| Career total | 61 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 73 | 4 | ||
- Appearances in the EFL Trophy
