# AF Elbasani

AF Elbasani (Albanian: Akademia e Futbollit Elbasani), is an Albanian professional football club based in Elbasan. The club competes in Kategoria Superiore, the top tier of Albanian football. Their home ground is Elbasan Arena.

## History

In 2021, the club was formed by the Elbasan Municipality after the disagreements with businessman Arben Laze who was the owner of the first football club KF Elbasani. Due to financial bankruptcy, Elbasani was seized by the Directorate of Taxes in Elbasan. So with the initiative of the fans they found the way and with the cooperation of Elbasan Municipality, AF Elbasani was created. In the 2021–2022 season, they competed in the fourth tier of Albanian football, Kategoria e Tretë. In their first season, they achieved first place, gaining promotion to Kategoria e Dytë. In the 2022–2023 season, AF Elbasani finished first in the Group B of the Kategoria e Dytë, which gained them promotion for the first time to the Kategoria e Parë. In their first season, they finished in 1st place, and were crowned champions and were promoted to the Kategoria Superiore.

## Players
### Current squad

    As of 20 January 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | ALB | Klevi Totoshi |
| 2 | DF | LTU | Sigitas Olberkis |
| 4 | DF | ALB | Bruno Lulaj (captain) |
| 5 | DF | ALB | Harallamb Qaqi |
| 6 | MF | MDA | Cristian Dros |
| 7 | FW | MAR | Karim Loukili |
| 9 | FW | CMR | Blaise Tsague |
| 10 | MF | ALB | Orgest Gava |
| 11 | MF | ALB | Klevis Kasa |
| 12 | GK | ALB | Redon Gega |
| 14 | MF | ALB | Xhonatan Lajthia |
| 16 | MF | ALB | Edon Hasani |
| 17 | FW | NGA | Abbas Ibrahim |
| 18 | MF | ALB | Arsen Kasa |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 20 | FW | POR | Zé Gomes |
| 21 | MF | KOS | Endi Halili |
| 22 | FW | ALB | Arsen Lleshi |
| 23 | DF | ALB | Esin Hakaj |
| 25 | DF | ALB | Alban Bica |
| 28 | MF | KOS | Kron Abdiu |
| 29 | MF | ALB | Emiljano Musta |
| 31 | MF | ALB | Glenis Belloj |
| 40 | GK | GHA | Razak Abalora |
| 42 | MF | ALB | Kristi Qose |
| 55 | DF | MNE | Emir Azemović |
| 70 | FW | CIV | Joël Doukouo |
| 77 | MF | ALB | Bledar Lila |
| 99 | FW | ALB | Amarildo Gjoni |

### On Loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | MF | ALB | Ardit Hila (at Prishtina e Re) |

## Staff

| Name | Position |
| Ivan Gvozdenovic | Head Coach |
| | Assistant Coach |
| Elvis Kotorri | Goalkeeping Coach |
| Andrea Vezzu | Fitness coach |
| Mirko Panico | Video Analyst |
| Denis Asllani | Video Analyst |
| Orland Kastrati | Physio |
| Geris Lahi | Physio |
| Mark Doçi | Physio |
| Amarildo Hoxha | Doctor |
| Elton Guranjaku | Sports Director |
| Marenglen Çoku | Administrator |
| Armand Memetaj | Team Manager |
| Kristo Kristo | Marketing Director |

## List of managers

* Gentian Stojku (2 Aug 2021–11 Apr 2023)
* Eriol Merxha (12 Apr 2023 – 6 Jun 2023)
* Nevil Dede (7 Jun 2023– 1 Jul 2024)
* Roberto Bordin (8 Jul 2024– 5 Dec 2024)
* Ivan Gvozdenović (5 Dec 2024– )

## Honours

* Kategoria e Parë
** Champions (1): 2023–24
* Kategoria e Dytë
** Runners-up (1): 2022–23
* Kategoria e Tretë
** Champions (1): 2021-22