Burim Kukeli

Early career

Kukeli was born in Gjakova, Kosovo in the then Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, but moved to Switzerland at the age of four following his father road along with other part of his family. He started his youth career aged 9 with the Solothurn youth academies. Later he was in the squad of Wangen bei Olten and SC Zofingen.

Zofingen

With Zofingen he played 21 matches and scored 4 goals during the 2004–05 season of the Swiss 3rd league. He also managed to play a full 90-minutes match, valid for the Swiss Cup against Schaffhausen, finished in the 1–5 loss.

Schötz

Kukeli moved to FC Schötz during the 2005 summer transfers window. In the 2005–06 season of the 1. Liga Promotion (Swiss 3rd league) he played in total 11 matches, all as a starter and in only 1 substituted off, also he scored 4 goals while Schötz were relegated to the 1. Liga Classic, Swiss 4th league, for the next season. Kukeli missed out the entire 2006–07 season of 1. Liga Classic due to a long injury. Schötz were promoted again in the 1. Liga Promotion. During the 2007–08 season first half Kukeli made it 14 Appearances and scored 2 goals. He played 1 match in the Swiss cup against Mendrisio, which finished in the 3–1 loss, where Kukeli himself played a full 90-minutes match.

Luzern

In January 2008, Luzern completed the transfer of Kukeli. He made his first Swiss Super League debut at the age of 23 and finished second part of 2007–08 season with 10…

Kukeli received a call up by Albania manager Gianni de Biasi for the friendlies against Qatar and Iran in May 2012, but declined due to being tired and needed to rest following the end of the season. Later on 24 August 2012, Albanian government had started the procedures to give him an Albanian citizenship by the end of the month, so that he could be ready to represent Albania at 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification. He was declared eligible on 4 September after receiving the Albanian citizenship. Kukeli made his competitive debut by playing entire match of the opening matchday against Cyprus as Albania begun Group E with a 3–1 home win. He continued to be regular at the lineup, starting in the next three matches but his injury while at Zürich meant that his campaign was over. Albania finished their group in 5th place with 11 points from 10 matches. He returned to the national team in September 2014 for the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers. He put on a strong performance as Albania begun their qualifying campaign with a historical 1–0 win at Aveiro. Kukeli went on to play six further matches as Albania made history by qualifying for the UEFA Euro 2016, its first ever appearance at a major men's football tournament. On 21 May 2016, Kukeli was named in Albania's preliminary 27-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016, and in Albania's final 23-man UEFA Euro 2016 squad on 31 May. He made his first European Championship appearance on 11 June in the first Group A match against Switzerland. He also…

On 12 January 2023, he was announced as the new coach of Grasshopper Club Zürich's U21 squad, who play in the Swiss 1st League, the fourth tier of the Swiss football pyramid. On 21 July 2023, he joined the coaching staff of the first squad of GC, assisting head coach Bruno Berner. On 27 May 2025, he was announced as the new coach of FC Zürich's under-21 squad.

Kukeli's natural position is defensive midfielder, but can also be deployed as centre-back.