Albi Alla


Albi Alla is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for China League One side Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic and the Albania national team.

Club career

Ergotelis and loans

Alla began his football career in the youth teams of his local side Ergotelis and signed his first professional contract with the club, on 28 January 2013. Six months later, on 24 August 2013 and after having made no appearances for his club, Alla was loaned out to Fokikos and made his professional debut playing the full 120 minutes in a Cup match against Acharnaikos on 15 September 2013. Alla recorded a total of 26 appearances for the club in the 2013−14 season.
On 7 August 2014, Alla signed a contract with Football League side Panachaiki, again on loan from Ergotelis, with a buyout option. Although Alla earned a place in the club's starting XI lineup, events took a surprising turn after a league match against Olympiakos Volou on 7 June 2015, when Panachaiki owner at the time Alexis Kougias decided to release Alla from his contract, and thus return the player to Ergotelis. Alla played a total of 33 matches for Panachaiki, scoring one goal against Paniliakos on 28 August 2014, in a match for the Greek Cup's first round.
After two consecutive loans, Alla made his debut with Ergotelis in the 2015−2016 season in a league match against Lamia on 11 October 2015. As Ergotelis faced financial issues which ultimately forced the club to withdraw from professional competitions in January 2016, Alla was one of only 17 players who remained in the club's roster until the end.

Skënderbeu Korçë

Alla joined Albanian club Skënderbeu Korçë in January 2016 after being released by Ergotelis, signing until June 2018. Immediately after joining the club, Alla was sent on loan at fellow top flight side Bylis Ballsh until the end of the season. Alla made his first Albanian Superliga appearance on 31 January in the 3–0 loss to Kukësi. He amassed 16 league matches during his loan spell with the club, collecting 1398 minutes as Bylis suffered relegation.

Kukësi

Alla was released from his contract with Skënderbeu Korçë in the summer of 2016 and signed for Albanian Cup winners Kukësi. He made his official debut for the club on 24 August 2016, playing in the 2016 Albanian Supercup against his former club Skënderbeu Korçë, as Kukësi won the game 3–1 for the trophy in Alla's career.
On 28 June 2017, Alla completed a transfer to Greek club Athlitiki Enosi Larissa by signing a three year contract. However the transfer was canceled as the player was still on contract with Kukësi and consequently was returned to the club.
Alla returned to the club in mid-August 2017 and eventually signed a one-year contract with an option of a further one.

Flamurtari Vlorë

On 20 August 2018, Alla agreed personal terms and joined Flamurtari Vlorë on a contract until the end of the 2018–19 season. He made his debut six days later against his former team Kukësi, netting the match's only goal with a header, recording his first ever Albanian Superliga goal. He was also named Man of the Match. It was also's Flamurtari second ever win against Kukësi, and the first since October 2013.

China

In February 2019, Alla transferred to China League One side Yanbian. The team was disqualified from the league shortly after, and Alla moved to another Chinese club Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic.

International career

Alla burst on to international scene in 2017 when he received his first international call-up by manager Gianni De Biasi for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Italy on 24 March and the friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina three days later as a replacement for defenders Mërgim Mavraj and Berat Djimsiti.
Alla earned his first international cap in the second match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, playing in the first half as the match was lost 2–1 at Elbasan Arena.

Personal life

Alla was born in Pogradec, Albania and moved to Greece along with his family when he was three years old.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

;Kukësi