Ardit Hoxhaj

Ardit Hoxhaj (born 20 July 1994) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Flamurtari Vlorë.

Club career

Hoxhaj started his career with Flamurtari Vlorë in 2011. In the 2011–12 season he was part of under-19 squad. In the 2012–13 season as well he played for under-19 side but also featured in the first team under coach Julián Rubio debuting in both competition Albanian Superliga and Cup during the October 2012 and participating also in other 3 league matches and 1 in cup as an unused substitute.

On 21 June 2016, Hoxhaj was sent on trial to PAS Giannina of Superleague Greece. He successfully passed the trial, but however he did not sign a contract with the club due to high economic demand of Bylis Ballsh.

On 6 September 2016, Hoxhaj completed a transfer to Skënderbeu Korçë for an undisclosed fee, signing a contract until June 2019. His spell at the club was marred by his lack playing time, having appear only five times in the first part of the season, including two appearances in league, both as substitute, failing thus to make an impact.

On 22 January 2017, Hoxhaj agreed personal terms and signed a two-year contract with Korabi Peshkopi, taking the vacant squad number 11. This turned out to be a fraud, however, as Hoxhaj joined Korabi only on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut in team's 0–1 home defeat to Laçi, as he went on to play 14 more appearances, all of them as starter, failing to score, as Korabi finished the season in the last spot with only 13 points, returning to Albanian First Division after one season.

On 10 June 2017, Hoxhaj returned to Flamurtari Vlorë after four years on a long-season loan deal. He was presented six days later where his transfer was made official, stating: I'm happy to be back home. I'll give the maximum for my city's team. He made his first appearance of the season on 16 September in the 3–1 home win over Lushnja. He opened his scoring account later on 29 October by scoring the winner at Partizani Tirana. It was his fourth goal against the capital club, thus making his favourite opponent to score against. Hoxhaj played 27 league matches during the 2017–18 season, scoring twice, as Flamurtari finished in a disappointing 6th-place finish.

Hoxhaj returned to his parent club Skënderbeu Korçë in June 2018. Having not played since May 2018, he made his first appearance of the season on 26 September by scoring in a 4–0 home win against Veleçiku Koplik in the second leg of 2018–19 Albanian Cup first round; he was forced to abandon the match once again due to another injury. On 5 February of the following year, Hoxhaj announced his departure from the club, citing the lack of first team appearances as the main reason, thus becoming a free agent. On the same day, he also announced that he has joined fellow top flight side Luftëtari Gjirokastër. However, due to the transfer being concluded five days after the end of winter transfer market, Hoxhaj become ineligible to play for his new side for the second half of 2018–19 season, as he was registered as Skënderbeu player.

On 11 March 2019, Hoxhaj joined Kosovan club KF Ferizaj.

International career

He was called up to the Albania under-21 team by coach Redi Jupi for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification closing match against Israel on 10 October 2016. He debuted for the under-21 national side against Israel replacing Uendi Vecaj at half time in a 4–0 loss.

Personal life

He has cited his role model and favourite footballer the Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, and he is also a fan of Italian club Milan.

Career statistics

As of 2 February 2019

Honours

Bylis Ballsh

• Albanian First Division: 2014–15

Skënderbeu Korçë

• Albanian Supercup: 2018