Elis Bakaj

Early career

Born in Tirana, Bakaj joined his first club KF Kristali in May 1996 at the age of eight, where he would only remain until October. Despite only playing for the club for less than six months, he still managed to be named the player of the year in the youth league. For the next six months, Elis was trained personally by former Albanian international and Dinamo Tirana player Andrea Marko. In June 1997 he joined Partizani Tirana under the guidance of coach Gazmend Kraja, where he worked his way up the ranks of the club. He amazed the club, including its president Albert Xhani, who in January 2002 sent Bakaj into the club's senior side.

Partizani Tirana

He joined Partizani's first team at the age of 15 in January 2002 on a seven-year contract with a minimal wage of just 150,000 Lekë a season. His official Partizani debut came in the 2003 Intertoto Cup against Israeli side Maccabi Netanya, where coach Perlat Musta played Bakaj in the final seven minutes of the game. In September 2003, Partizani's new coach Ilir Spahiu sent Bakaj on loan to FC Nacionali, a Partizani feeder team playing in the Albanian Second Division. The Nacionali coach Genci Tomorri gave Bakaj the opportunity of regular first team football, allowing the youngster to show his talent and score goals. In January 2004 his loan was ended and he returned to Partizani where the previous coach Spahiu had left and Sulejman Mema had now taken charge. Bakaj scored his maiden Partizani goal on…

Youth

Bakaj was part of Albania under-21 team in their qualifying campaign of 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where Albania was placed in Group 1. He played as a starter in team's first encounter against Italy on 1 June 2007, which finished in a 4–0 away defeat. In the second match five days later, Bakaj was decisive for his team, scoring a winner via penalty kick to give his team a win against Faroe Islands. In the matchday 4 against Azerbaijan on 17 October 2007, Bakaj was sent off for a second bookable offence, giving Azerbaijan a man advantage. However, Albania was able to grab a 1–1 draw at Ismat Gayibov Stadium, in Baku.

Senior

Bakaj made his senior debut for Albania on 21 November 2007 against Romania in the final UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying match, replacing fellow striker Erjon Bogdani in the 83rd minute. He scored his first senior international goal against Qatar on 22 May 2012 at Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas, Madrid, Spain.

Club

As of 20 November 2021

International

As of 6 February 2013

As of match played 6 February 2013. Albania score listed first, score column indicates score after each Bakaj goal.

He is the cousin of Edvan Bakaj who plays as a goalkeeper for Kosovar club Drita. They were also teammates at Partizani and Tirana. In June 2018, he married his Romanian girlfriend Andreea, whom he meet during his time at Dinamo București.