Quick Facts
ScorpioBiography
Lorent Tolaj (born 23 October 2001) is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a forward for National League club Aldershot Town.
Club career
Brighton & Hove Albion
Born in Aigle, Tolaj joined Brighton & Hove Albion's academy in 2018 after playing youth football for Swiss side FC Sion. He would score two goals for the Seagulls' under-23 side in their 4–2 win over Worthing in the 2022 Sussex Senior Challenge Cup final.
On 16 June 2023, Tolaj was released from his contract with Brighton.
Cambridge United, Salford City, and Dundee loans
On 31 January 2022, he joined EFL League One club Cambridge United on loan until the end of the season. A day later, he made his debut for the U's as a substitute in the 2–0 away defeat at Bolton Wanderers. On 18 April, it was confirmed that Tolaj had returned to his parent club Brighton after struggling for game time at Cambridge only making five appearances in all competitions.
On 23 August, Tolaj signed for League Two side Salford City on loan for the 2022–23 season. However, on 31 January 2023, Tolaj left Salford and joined Scottish Championship club Dundee on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut for the Dark Blues as a substitute in a league game away to Hamilton Academical. In April 2023, Tolaj return to Brighton after suffering an injury to his achilles tendon, and would only briefly return to Dundee before the issue flared up again.
Aldershot Town
On 7 July 2023, following his release from Brighton, Tolaj joined National League side, Aldershot Town on a one-year deal. Tolaj scored a brace in his debut for the Shots, in a 5–2 league win over Oxford City. On 28 August, Tolaj would play part of a league game away to Eastleigh as a goalkeeper after Shots goalie Jordi van Stappershoef was sent off. Tolaj scored a hat-trick in an FA Cup win over Lewes.
International career
Born in Switzerland, Tolaj is of Kosovan descent. He has represented Switzerland internationally at under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels. On 19 November 2019, Tolaj scored eight goals in Switzerland U19's 16–1 win over Gibraltar U19, setting the record for the most goals scored in a under-19 Euro qualifier.
Career statistics
- As of 13 December 2023
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Brighton & Hove Albion U21 | 2019–20 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2021–22 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |||||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | ||
| Brighton & Hove Albion | 2021–22 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| Cambridge United (loan) | 2021–22 | League One | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | |
| Salford City (loan) | 2022–23 | League Two | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 6 | 1 | 17 | 1 | |
| Dundee (loan) | 2022–23 | Scottish Championship | 2 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Aldershot Town | 2023–24 | National League | 22 | 9 | 4 | 5 | — | 1 | 0 | 27 | 14 | |
| Career total | 39 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 58 | 17 | ||
Honours
Brighton & Hove Albion
- Sussex Senior Challenge Cup: 2022