Sokol Cikalleshi

Sokol Cikalleshi (Albanian pronunciation: ['sɔkɔl 'tsikaɫɛʃi]; born 27 July 1990 in Kavajë) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as forward for Turkish Süper Lig club Akhisar Belediyespor on loan from Istanbul Basaksehir and the Albania national team.

He made his professional debut in 2007 as a 17 year old with his hometown club Besa Kavajë, and would then go on loan to Skënderbeu Korçë, Tirana and South Korean side Incheon United between 2011 and 2012. He joined Kukësi in 2013 and scored 22 goals in all competitions during the 2013–14 campaign, where he gained the attention of the Albania national team setup as well as Croatian side RNK Split who signed the player in 2014 for a reported fee of €100,000. He was the club's top goalscorer during the 2014–15 campaign, netting 13 times in all competitions before joining Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir for a €1.8 million fee in 2015.

He was first called up to the Albania national team by Gianni De Biasi and he made his debut on 31 May 2014 against Romania. Since making his debut he has been a regular member of the national side, and he has earned over 20 caps since 2014 and has scored in two friendly internationals.

Besa Kavajë

Cikalleshi joined his hometown club Besa Kavajë in 2002 as a 12 year old and he progressed through the youth ranks at the club, until he made his professional debut at the age of 17 on the final day of the 2007–08 Albanian Superliga against local rivals Teuta Durrës, a match in which he came on as a half time substitute in a 5–3 win. In the following season he was an important member of the club's under-19s, as he captained the side to the national championship title in a season where he also made 10 league appearances for the senior side, including 2 starts. Under Shpëtim Duro, Cikalleshi became a regular first team member during the 2009–10 campaign, where he was part of strike force that included Daniel Xhafaj and Vioresin Sinani, who are two of the most prolific strikers in Albanian football history. He made 27 league appearances and scored twice, with his first professional goal coming against Shkumbini Peqin on 29 August 2011 in the Albanian Superliga, and he also went on to score against Vllaznia Shkodër later in the season. The 2009–10 campaign proved to be one of the club's most successful ever season, as they finished runners-up in the Albanian Superliga behind Dinamo Tirana and won the Albanian Cup for only the second time in history. Cikalleshi played a significant role in the club's cup winning run, as he made 8 appearances and scored twice, including the winning goal in the semi final against Shkumbini Peqin. that sent Besa Kavajë to the final, which was won against Vllaznia Shkodër.

Skënderbeu Korçë

He agreed to join Skënderbeu Korçë on a 6-month loan deal ahead of the opening of the January 1transfer window, and travelled with the rest of the squad to Antalya, Turkey for their mid season training camp.

Tirana

Cikalleshi joined Tirana on loan until the end of the 2011–12 season on 27 January 2012 following a successful trial at the club, claiming it to be the "chance of a lifetime" to have the chance to play for the club. He made his debut for the club in the Albanian Cup against Bylis Ballsh on 29 January, where he came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute for Klodian Duro in the goalless draw.

Incheon United

In July 2012, Cikalleshi joined South Korean K-League club Incheon United FC on a 6-month loan deal. During his time at Blue-Blacks, Cikalleshi made six appearances, only two of them as a starter, collecting 193 minutes in the process.

Kukësi

In August 2013, Cikalleshi joined FK Kukësi club on a one-year contract. He made his debut with the club on 4 September 2013 during the 1–0 shock lose against the newcomers of Lushnja. He opened his scoring account eight weeks later where he scored during the 2–1 away lose against Flamurtari Vlorë, which was followed by another goal in the next week at Laçi, where Kukësi won in the very last seconds thanks to a penalty. On 6 November 2013, in the returning leg of the first round of 2013–14 Albanian Cup, Cikalleshi scored in a 5–0 thrashing of Naftëtari Kuçovë, helping Kukësi to advance in the next round with the aggregate 6–0. He scored for the fourth consecutive match, this time against his former side KF Tirana helping Kukësi to prevail 2–1 at Zeqir Ymeri Stadium; he was later selected "Man of the Match".

RNK Split

Following FK Kukësi's elimination in the Europa League, on 16 July 2014 Cikalleshi signed for Croatian side RNK Split on a three-year contract for a fee of €100.000. He was presented on the same day where he choose the squad number 99. However, Kukësi claimed that they would not give Cikalleshi permission to play, as his documents were still at the club. The club also added that the player has still a year remaining in his contract, and that hey would sent the case to FIFA and UEFA.

On August 19 he scored his first goal with RNK Split in a match against NK Hrvace, valid for the 2014–15 Croatian Football Cup.

İstanbul Başakşehir

On 6 June 2015, RNK Split accepted the €1.8 million bid of Turkish side İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. to transfer Cikalleshi to the Süper Lig club. Ten days later Cikalleshi was presented to the club where he signed a 4-years contract.

After his good performances with FK Kukësi in 2013–14 season, he received his first call up to the Albanian national team by Gianni De Biasi for friendlies against Romania, Hungary and San Marino. He made his debut with Albania on 31 May in a 1–0 loss against Romania, in where he started the match and was substituted in the start of the second-half by Shkëlzen Gashi.

On 16 November 2015, Cikalleshi came off the bench to score his first international goal for Albania in the 94th minute of a 2–2 friendly home draw against Georgia, in the last international match at Qemal Stafa Stadium.

Euro 2016

On 21 May 2016, Cikalleshi was named in Albania's preliminary 27-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016, and in Albania's final 23-man UEFA Euro 2016 squad on 31 May.

Cikalleshi played as a 74th minute substitute for Odise Roshi against Switzerland in the opening match, then he was an unused substitute in 2 next matches against hosts France where they lost 2–0 and against Romania in an Albania's historical 1–0 win with a goal scored by Armando Sadiku. Albania finished the group in the third position with three points and with a goal difference –2, and was ranked last in the third-placed teams, which eventually eliminated them.

Cikalleshi is a versatile attacking player who is known for his goalscoring ability and his aerial prowess. He is also a very strong player on the ball who is capable with both feet. In addition to that, Cikalleshi is also a great player in the air and considered as an aerial threat.

Club

International

International goals

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	16 November 2015	Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tiranë, Albania	15	Georgia	2–2	2–2	Friendly
2	29 March 2016	Stade Josy Barthel, Route d'Arlon, Luxembourg	17	Luxembourg	2–0	2–0	Friendly

Club

• Albanian Cup: 2009–10
• Albanian Supercup: 2010

• Albanian Superliga: 2010–11

Individual

• Albanian Superliga Player of the Month: March 2014