Ardian Ismajli
Ardian Ilmi Ismajli (born 30 September 1996) is a Kosovo Albanian professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Empoli and the Albania national team. Club career. Early career. Ismajli went through the ranks of First Football League of Kosovo side 2 Korriku from Pristina, Kosovo. He made his senior debut in the second half of the 2013–14 season and in mid-2015, Ismajli went on a one season loan to Football Superleague of Kosovo side Prishtina. Hajduk Split. In February 2016, Ismajli signed a three and a half year scholarship contract with Croatian First Football League side  Hajduk Split after a trial. Ismajli initially played for Hajduk Split II in the 3. HNL. On 14 May 2016, he made his senior debut for Hajduk against Zagreb in the Croatian First Football League and playing the full 90 minutes as a central defender in a 3–2 win. Ismajli was booked in the 48th minute. In the 2016–17 season, Ismajli became a regular player under coach Marijan Pušnik. In the first match of the season, a 2016–17 UEFA Europa League second qualifying round match against Politehnica Iași in Romania, he was included in the match day squad, but did  not participate in the match. Ismajli started the next match in a 2–0 league win over newly-promoted Cibalia and playing as right back. On 18 August 2016, he made his UEFA Europa League debut in a 2–1 defeat against Maccabi Tel Aviv at Netanya Stadium in the playoff round after being named in the starting line-up. On 21 August 2016, Ismajli scored his first goal for Hajduk in a 4–2 defeat against Rijeka at Poljud Stadium. Spezia Calcio. In September 2020, Ismajli signed a three-year deal with Italian club Spezia. He joined the club ahead of their  first ever season in the Serie A. International career. Kosovo. Youth. On 5 June 2017, Ismajli received a call-up from Kosovo U21 for a 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Norway U21 and made his debut after being named in the starting line-up. Senior. On 2 October 2016, Ismajli received a call-up from Kosovo for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Croatia and Ukraine, but a day before joining with national team, he injured during derby match between Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split. On 29 May 2018, Ismajli made his debut with Kosovo  in friendly match against Albania after being named in the starting line-up. Albania. On 7 November 2018, Ismajli received a call-up from Albania for the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League match against Scotland and friendly match against Wales.