After his time at Palermo, Ujkani played for several clubs, including Genoa CFC starting in 2015.
Ujkani is currently the sports director of the Kosovo national football team, shaping the future of football in Kosovo.
He represented the Albania national under-21 football team from 2007 to 2009 before moving to the senior team.
Biography
Early Life
Samir Ujkani was born in Resnik, a village near Vushtrri in what was then SFR Yugoslavia (now Kosovo). At the age of six, his family relocated to Belgium, where Ujkani began his football journey.
Career
Ujkani's football career took off when he joined the youth team of Ingelmunster at thirteen, later moving to the prestigious Anderlecht academy, known for producing talented goalkeepers. He played for Anderlecht's Under-19s and their reserves until June 2007, when he signed a five-year contract with Palermo F.C. in Italy's Serie A.
During his time at Palermo, Ujkani made his professional debut on April 26, 2009, against AC Milan, impressing fans and players alike, including Kaká. He was loaned to Novara Calcio to gain first-team experience and returned to Palermo for the 2012-13 season. Ujkani's career continued with stints at clubs like AC ChievoVerona, Latina Calcio 1932, and Genoa CFC.
On the international stage, Ujkani initially represented Albania, earning his first senior cap in 2009 and making headlines by saving two penalties in a single match against Georgia in 2012. In 2014, he switched allegiance to the Kosovo national team, making his debut in a historic match against Haiti.
Legacy
After retiring from professional play, Ujkani transitioned into a management role and is currently the sports director of the Kosovo national team, contributing to the development of football in his homeland.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Club
As of 22 June 2022
International
As of match played 27 September 2022
Youth clubs
At the age of thirteen, Ujkani enrolled into Ingelmunster, spending six years there before moving to Anderlecht. The Anderlecht football academy has a reputation of producing talented goalkeepers such as Jacky Munaron. Ujkani played until June 2007 for the Anderlecht Under-19s, and made also ten appearances with their reserves team. In June 2007, he agreed to sign a five-year contract with Palermo of Italy's Serie A.
Palermo
Since then, Ujkani served as unused substitute in two UEFA Cup matches for Palermo, and several Serie A matches as well. He was confirmed as third-choice goalkeeper for the Rosanero's 2008–09 season, and later promoted as second goalkeeper after the club chose to transfer-list veteran goalkeeper Alberto Fontana. On 26 April 2009, Ujkani made his professional debut with Palermo, replacing injured Marco Amelia during a Serie A match against Milan at the San Siro. His performance was congratulated from Kaká at the end of the match. In July 2009, he was loaned out to Lega Pro Prima Divisione club Novara in exchange with Giacomo Brichetto, also in order to gain first team experience. On 14 June 2012, Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini confirmed that Ujkani will be playing on Palermo for the 2012–13 season. On 22 June 2012, Palermo announced from their website to have re-acquired the full transfer rights of Ujkani and fellow Novara player Michel Morganella. For Palermo's 2013–14 season, spent in Serie B after its previous season's…
Albania
Ujkani received an Albanian passport in May 2007, and started playing for the Albania U21. He made his debut on 1 June in a European qualification match against Italy U21. On 6 October 2008, he received his first senior call-up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification qualifying matches with Hungary and Portugal. He made his full senior debut on 10 June 2009 in a 1–1 draw with Georgia in Albania. On 29 February 2012, Ujkani saved two penalties in a 2–1 friendly win against Georgia, becoming the first Albania goalkeeper to save two penalties in a single international match. Ujkani lost his starting place to Etrit Berisha during the 2014 World Cup qualification.
Kosovo
On 2 March 2014. Ujkani received a call-up from Kosovo for the first permitted by FIFA match against Haiti and made his debut after being named in the starting line-up.
- Club
- Palermo F.C. (2007–2015)
- Club
- AC ChievoVerona (2013–2013)
- Club
- Novara Calcio (2009–2012)
- Club
- Genoa CFC (2015–)
- Club
- Latina Calcio 1932 (2016–2016)
- Club
- Albania national under-21 football team (2007–2009)
- Club
- Albania men's national football team (2008–2014)
- Club
- Kosovo men's national association football team (2014–2014)
- Club
- Empoli FC
- National team
- Albania
- National team
- Kosovo
Personal
Ujkani was born in Resnik, a village near Vushtrri, SFR Yugoslavia (now Kosovo). His family then moved to Belgium six years after his birth.
Clubs
- Genoa CFC2015current
- Empoli FCcurrent
- Albania national under-21 football team2007–2009
- Palermo F.C.2007–2015
- Albania men's national football team2008–2014
- Novara Calcio2009–2012
- AC ChievoVerona2013–2013
- Kosovo men's national association football team2014–2014
- Latina Calcio 19322016–2016
Played together with
Aarón MartínGenoa CFC · 2023–2026- Abdelaziz DnibiPalermo F.C. · 1996–1997
- Abdelhakim BouhnaLatina Calcio 1932 · 2015–2015
Abdelhamid El KaoutariPalermo F.C. · 2015–2016- Abdelhamid El KaoutariPalermo F.C. · 2015–2015
Abdelkader GhezzalLatina Calcio 1932 · 2013–2014
Abdoulay KonkoGenoa CFC · 2007–2008- Abdoulay KonkoGenoa CFC · 2011–2011
Abel HernándezPalermo F.C. · 2009–2014- Accursio BentivegnaPalermo F.C. · 2014–2015
- Achille CoserNovara Calcio · 2011–2012
Adam KokoszkaEmpoli FC · 2008–2011
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Samir Ujkani is a former Kosovan professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper and is currently the sports director of the Kosovo national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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