Petrit Dibra (born 15 September 1953 in

Tiranë Tirana ( , ; aln, Tirona) is the capital and largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea ...

) is an

Albanian Albanian may refer to: *Pertaining to Albania in Southeast Europe; in particular: **Albanians, an ethnic group native to the Balkans **Albanian language **Albanian culture **Demographics of Albania, includes other ethnic groups within the country ...

former footballer who spent his entire career at his hometown club 17 Nëntori Tirana (present day

KF Tirana Klubi i Futbollit Tirana (KF Tirana) is an Albanian football club based in the country's capital city, Tirana. The men's football club is part of the multi-disciplinary sports club SK Tirana, and is the most successful in Albania, having won 54 ...

) as a

forward Forward is a relative direction, the opposite of backward. Forward may also refer to: People * Forward (surname) Sports * Forward (association football) * Forward (basketball), including: ** Point forward ** Power forward (basketball) ** Sm ...

Club career

Early career

Dibra was born in

into an intellectual family as the only brother among three sisters, and attended the Alqi Kondi School before enrolling at the

Qemal Stafa High School The Qemal Stafa High School is a high school, located in Tirana, Albania. Founded in 1925 by Prime Minister Ahmet Zogu, as the ''Lyceum of Tirana'', it has many notable alumni, of whom 75 died in World War II and 14 were awarded the title People' ...

. While at the Alqi Kondi School he was a successful athlete, competing in the 60m and 100m where he was schoolboy champion at the time. He began playing football near his home where former 17 Nëntori Tirana player Aurel Verria would train youngsters. He was also a member of the Pallati i Pionerëve team that won the Durrës pioneers tournament under the guidance of coach Osman Reçi. At the age of 15 he rejoined 17 Nëntori Tirana's youth team, where the coach Xhavit Demneri recognised Dibra's pace and played him on the right wing and up front.

17 Nëntori

Dibra first joined the senior side in 1970 following a traditional preseason internal friendly between the 17 Nëntori first team and youth team, in which Dibra scored twice to win the game for the youth team. After the game the 17-year-old was told by the first team coach Myslym Alla to bring his boots for the season opener against

Tomori Berat KF Tomori is an Albanian football club based in the city of Berat. The club's home ground is the Tomori Stadium and they currently participate in the Kategoria e Parë. History The sport of football was introduced to the city of Berat in the ear ...

, where he came on in the second half to make his debut following an injury to Ali Mema. He became the ''Kategoria Superiore'''s top goalscorer alongside

Agim Murati Agim Hysen Murati (8 March 1953 – 15 September 2005) was an Albanian international football striker. During his career, Murati was recognised for "his ability to head the ball in the penalty area". Playing career Early years Agim Hysen Murati ...

in 1979, both scoring 14 goals.“Këpucët e Arta” të Shqipërisë, nga Refik Resmja te Iir Përnaska
- Telegraf

References

1954 births Living people Footballers from Tirana Albanian footballers Association football forwards KF Tirana players {{Albania-footy-forward-stub