# Mario Mitaj

Mario Mitaj (born 6 August 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad. Born in Greece, he represents Albania at international level.

## Club career
### AEK Athens

On 12 August 2020, Mitaj signed his first professional contract with Greek club AEK Athens and immediately started training with the first team.
On 18 October 2020, he made his first league appearance in a game against PAOK, thus becoming the youngest foreign player in club history to feature in a competitive fixture, at 17 years, 2 months and 13 days old.
On 2 February 2021, he signed a new contract, running until the summer of 2023.
On 10 August 2021, the Albanian defender signed a new deal, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2026.

### Lokomotiv Moscow

On 27 August 2022, Mitaj signed a five-year contract with Russian Premier League club Lokomotiv Moscow. The transfer fee was €3 million and AEK also kept a percentage for the next Mitaj's transfer.

### Al-Ittihad

On 3 September 2024, Mitaj was loaned to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad for one year, with an option to buy. The fee is reported to be around €1.2 million. On 31 January 2025, Al-Ittihad purchased Mitaj for a reported fee of €4 million.

## International career

Having lived in Nea Ionia, Attica, Greece for a large part of his life, Mitaj was eligible to represent both Albania and Greece at international level. After having featured in all young Albanian squads, he earned his first cap for Albania's senior squad on 31 March 2021, in a 2–0 victory over San Marino for the 2022 European FIFA World Cup qualifiers, becoming cap-tied to Albania in the process. With this appearance, he became Albania's second youngest ever international player at 17 years and 237 days old.
He is selected from the list of 26 Albanian players of the Sylvinho coach to participate in UEFA Euro 2024.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 30 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | Continental | Continental | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| AEK Athens | 2020–21 | Super League Greece | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| AEK Athens | 2021–22 | Super League Greece | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| AEK Athens | Total | Total | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| AEK Athens B | 2021–22 | Super League Greece 2 | 20 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 20 | 0 |
| Lokomotiv Moscow | 2022–23 | Russian Premier League | 14 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 18 | 0 |
| Lokomotiv Moscow | 2023–24 | Russian Premier League | 21 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 27 | 0 |
| Lokomotiv Moscow | 2024–25 | Russian Premier League | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 |
| Lokomotiv Moscow | Total | Total | 36 | 0 | 13 | 0 | — | — | 49 | 0 |
| Al-Ittihad (loan) | 2024–25 | Saudi Pro League | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 1 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 75 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 95 | 1 |
* ↑ Includes Greek Cup, Russian Cup, King's Cup
* ↑ Appearance in UEFA Europa League
* ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

### International

    As of match played 14 october 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Albania | 2021 | 1 | 0 |
| Albania | 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| Albania | 2023 | 8 | 0 |
| Albania | 2024 | 11 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 20 | 0 |
* ↑ Conclude with Non-FIFA international football