Erton Fejzullahu


Erton Fejzullahu is a Kosovan professional footballer who last played as a striker for Lithuanian club Žalgiris and the Kosovo national team, he previously represented Sweden at youth and full international level.

Early life

Fejzullahu was born in Mitrovica, SFR Yugoslavia. He came to Sweden as a three year old and grew up in the town of Karlshamn. He holds Kosovan, Albanian and Swedish passports.

Club career

Youth career

Fejzullahu began his career with fifth-tier team Högadals IS, before moving to Danish side FC Copenhagen in 2005.

Mjällby AIF

In January 2007 Fejzullahu returned to Sweden to sign with Mjällby AIF, who played in the second tier Superettan at that time and therefore was the highest level club near his hometown. There Fejzullahu adjusted to first team football and eventually had a big breakthrough in the 2009 Superettan, where he scored 13 goals in 14 games during the first half of the season and played a key role in eliminating two Allsvenskan teams in the Svenska Cupen.

NEC Nijmegen

On 17 July 2009, Eredivisie club NEC Nijmegen signed Fejzullahu on a four-year contract. He started well and was a regular starter during his first year with the Dutch club. In his second year he found playing time harder to come by and was loaned out for a short period to Danish club Randers FC. He then went on a second loan back home to Mjällby for the second half of the 2011 Allsvenskan season. At first he struggled while playing for his old club. Fejzullahu later stated that this was caused by bad form and him lacking both mentally and physically at the time. He stayed with Mjällby for the first half of the following season too and there he finally started showing improved form, scoring six goals in 15 games. As the loan ended in summer 2012 Mjällby wanted to sign him permanently but could not afford it.

Djurgårdens IF

instead bought him from the Dutch club for a reported sum of ten million SEK. On 31 July 2012, Fejzullahu signed a contract which made him a Djurgårdens IF player until summer 2016.

Beijing Guoan

On 30 July 2014, Fejzullahu made his debut for Beijing Guoan, as a loan player with a performance of two goals and an assist. On 1 January 2015, he signed a contract with Beijing Guoan after the expiry of the contract as loan player from Djurgårdens IF.

Dalian Transcendence

On 25 January 2016, Fejzullahu moved to China League One side Dalian Transcendence.

Sarpsborg 08

On 28 March 2017, Fejzullahu signed to Eliteserien side Sarpsborg 08 and he signed a contract to end of 2017 Eliteserien. On 2 April 2017, he made his debut in a 3–1 home win against Sogndal after coming on as a substitute at 78th minute in place of Jonas Lindberg.

Kalmar

On 21 July 2017, Fejzullahu signed for Allsvenskan side Kalmar. On 23 July 2017, he made his debut in a 2–0 home win against AFC Eskilstuna after being named in the starting line-up.

International career

In December 2012 Fejzullahu was selected for the first time ever to join the Sweden, on a three-game tour in January 2013. On 23 January 2013. Fejzullahu made his debut for the senior team and scoring the equalizing goal in a 1–1 draw against North Korea in the King's Cup. After full-time was played, the standing was 1–1, and Sweden won on penalty-shootout. Through this victory Sweden also became unofficial world champions.
In December 2014 Fejzullahu expressed to the media that he expected to be part of the Albania, since he was an ethnic Albanian and Sweden had ignored him. He was in contact with the Albanian Football Association and was expected to be called up by Albania's coach, Gianni de Biasi.
On 7 October 2015, Fejzullahu received a call-up from Kosovo for the friendly match against Equatorial Guinea and made his debut after being named in the starting line-up.

Career statistics

Club

International goals

Sweden
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.23 January 2013700th Anniversary Stadium, Chiang Mai North Korea1–11–12013 King's Cup
2.17 January 2014Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi Moldova1–12–1Friendly
3.17 January 2014Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi Moldova2–12–1Friendly

Honours

International