Shkëlzen Gashi

Early career and Zürich

Gashi was born in Zürich, Switzerland to parents originally from Qabiq of Klina, Kosovo. A product of Zürich academy, Gashi made his professional debut at the age of 18 on 12 August 2006 in the 2006–07 Swiss Super League match against St. Gallen, playing in the last 13 minutes of the 3–1 loss. He also made his European debut later on 6 December of the following year, appearing as a substitute in an UEFA Cup group stage match against Spartak Moscow which finished in a 1–0 away loss.

Loan at Schaffhausen

On 29 January 2008, in the winter transfer window, Gashi was sent on loan to Swiss Challenge League side Schaffhausen until the end of 2007–08 season. Gashi made 16 league appearances until the end of the season, scoring three times in the process. After the end of the season, Gashi returned to Zürich in July 2008 only to be sent again on loan to Bellinzona for one-and-a-half season.

Loan at Bellinzona

Gashi made his Bellinzona debut on 23 July 2008 in the Swiss Super League match against Neuchâtel Xamax, playing for 65 minutes in a 1–2 home defeat. He scored his first European goal on 28 August in the second leg of UEFA Cup second qualifying round against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, leading the team to a 2–1 home win and progression to the next round thanks to away goal rule. The first match finished in a 3–2 away defeat. He scored his first league goal of the season on 5 October during the 3–3 away draw against the same…

Switzerland youth level teams

Gashi was part and capped for the Switzerland U-17, U-19 and U-21 teams in competitive youth UEFA European Championships respective age categories.

Albania

In 2013 Gashi declared that he will represent Albania in the international level. In August 2013 he joined the Albania national team after receiving his first call up by coach Gianni De Biasi for the friendly match against Armenia on 14 August 2013. On 14 August 2013 Gashi received Albanian citizenship and to be able to play for Albania in international level he had to receive the go ahead from FIFA since he had previously played for Swiss national youth teams. In the same day he made his debut against Armenia, coming on as a substitute in the 56th minute for Edmond Kapllani in a 2–0 win. Permission from FIFA was granted on 9 October 2013.

Debut & FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifiers

His first competitive international match was against the country of his birth Switzerland on 11 October 2013, in a match which he was included in the starting line up and got substituted off in the 55th minute for Odise Roshi, as the match finished in a 1–2 home loss. He was called up and played a full 90-minutes in a friendly match against Belarus on 15 November 2013, finished in the goalless draw.

UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying

After 3 first matches of the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying as an unused substitute, Gashi managed to play for the first time in the tournament on 29 March…

Club

As of match played 28 October 2018

International

As of match played 6 September 2016

As of 29 March 2015 Scores and results list Albania goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Gashi goal.

Following Albania's historic participation at UEFA Euro 2016, Gashi was among the members of the national team who were issued diplomatic passports by the Albanian government in recognition of their achievement.