Success Stories

These players were coached at one time or another by our head coach Luka Shaqiri. Accompanying the pictures, is a small personal biography.

Edwin Murati

Picture: Luka (left) Edwin (right) Köln Germany 2003, in front of the Cologne Cathedral.

birth date: 11/12/1975
birth place: Tirana
birth Nation: Albania
Height: 172 cm
Weight: 68 kg
nationality: Albanian/Francaise
Position: Midfielder

Proffessional Teams :

Edwin was coached by our Head Coach Luka Shaqiri. Edwin started training with Luka at a very young age (11). Edwin was picked up by Paris St Germain. He was competing against 200 people from all over Europe, and was one of two players chosen. Now he is one of the most recognized soccer players in Europe.He was talented and hard worker. What is most amaizing about this young star is that he is very grounded and you would not be able to pick him out in a crowd. In 2006 World Cup Qualification he scored winning goal against EURO 2004 Champions Team Grecce.

Igli Tare

Luka(left) Igli (right) outside an undisclosed hotel after an International match.

Much like Edwin, Igli was coached by Luka. He started his career in Germany where he played proffessionaly and now he plays for one of the best Seria- A Team in Italy Lazio. Has been injured lately, and not started for the National team.

Erjon Bogdani

Luka (left), Erjon Bogdani(right). Verona, Italy 2007.
Albanian Footballer of the Year in a ceremony after the Chievo Verona - Sampdoria game
Read story here

He was recruited from a basketball team to the soccer team of the same club by Luka Shaqiri at 14 years of age. He started soccer very late and had a lot to catch up, but this star made it all the way into Reggina FC Seria-A, Verona, Siena. The season 2005-2006 was the best goal scorer in his team with 12 goals. In world Cup qualification 2006 he was the best player of Albanian National team. Check his wikipedia page to keep up with this star.

Adrian Aliaj
# 28

Defense
Size: 183 cm
Weight: 78 kg
with RWO since: 06.07.2003

past associations: Standard Luettich, La Louviere, RSCS Charleroi

Adrian now plays in Germany. He is also a part of the Albanian National Team, where he has scored 6 goals in 7 games, playing left defense. We are really proud of his achievements. In world Cup 2006 he played Left defender in Albanian National Team and he scored 7 Goals in the tournament group.

Altin Lala (left) Luka (middle)

Altin is a close friend of Edwin Murati, trained with Luka. He took over as Albanian National captain from Igli Tare (check above success story). The thing I like about Altin Lala is his confidence and how he makes fans feel safe everytime he touches the ball, that sort of feeling is not instant it takes years to develop. This reliable little rock has been able to consistently perform without injury and with dedication. You can find more info on this page(wiki).

Blendi Nallbani

Goalkeeper who trained with Luka. You can find more info on him, in this page(Wiki). He is well known for setting a record transfer fee of 1,000,000 dollars in the Albanian league and for playing with national team at a really young age.

David Inglis
Scholarship: Halifax

Michael Sawchuk
Scholarship: Fairfield University

Fabjan Knesevic
Plays 1st Division in Croatia.
Hajduk Split Team

Janko Stukic
Scholarship: Fordham University, NY

Mike Pereira
Plays Pro with Porto Team, Academy Program.

Eris Tafaj
Scholarship: Oklahoma University