Emiliano Veliaj (born 9 February 1985) is a retired

Albania Albania ( ; sq, Shqipëri or ), or , also or . officially the Republic of Albania ( sq, Republika e Shqipërisë), is a country in Southeastern Europe. It is located on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea and shares ...

n footballer who played as a midfielder. He was a member of the Albania national Team between 2010 and 2012, earning 2 full caps.

Club career

Korabi Peshkopi

On 1 July 2016, Veliaj agreed personal terms and signed a one-year contract with newly promoted Albanian Superliga side

Korabi Peshkopi KS Korabi is an Albanian football club based in Peshkopi, named after the nearby Mount Korab, which is the tallest mountain in Albania and North Macedonia. The club's home ground is the Korabi Stadium. History Early history The club was founde ...

for an undisclosed fee. In a press conference later that month, Veliaj stated that Korabi made the best offer for him, despite interest from several other Albanian clubs. He made his debut for the club on 7 September in the opening league match of 2016–17 season against his former team Laçi, playing full-90 minutes in a goalless draw. He also played in the two-legged match against Kamza in the first round of Albanian Cup, as Korabi was eliminated with the aggregate 3–1. During the first part of the season, Veliaj made 13 league appearances, in addition 2 in cup, failing to score in the process, as Korabi struggled for results, finishing it in the penultimate spot.

Tomori Berat

On 26 January 2017, Veliaj returned to his boyhood club Tomori Berat for the first time in 12 years. He was immediately placed in the starting lineup, making his return debut on 3 February in the matchday 14 against Pogradeci. During the second part of 2016–17 season, Veliaj played 10 matches without scoring and left the team following the end of the season.

Korabi Peshkopi return

On 30 August 2017, after training for a while with Egnatia, Veliaj returned to Korabi Peshkopi this time in

Albanian First Division 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 ...

as a free transfer.

International career

Veliaj made his senior debut on 2 June 2010 by appearing in the last minutes of the friendly against

Andorra , image_flag = Flag of Andorra.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Andorra.svg , symbol_type = Coat of arms , national_motto = la, Virtus Unita Fortior, label=none (Latin)"United virtue is stro ...

, which ended in a 1–0 home win for Albania. After two years, he was called up again by the new coach

Gianni De Biasi Giovanni "Gianni" De Biasi (, sq, Xhovani "Xhani" De Biazi), born 16 June 1956 is an Italian football coach and former player. He holds dual Italian and Albanian citizenship. De Biasi was the first coach of the Albania national team to lead t ...

for the friendlies against

Qatar Qatar (, ; ar, قطر, Qaṭar ; local vernacular pronunciation: ), officially the State of Qatar,) is a country in Western Asia. It occupies the Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East; it ...

and

Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...

in May 2012. He made another senior appearance, this time against

at the

İnönü Stadium İnönü may refer to. People with the surname * İsmet İnönü (1884–1973), Turkish soldier, statesman and the second President of Turkey * Erdal İnönü (1926–2007), Turkish physicist and politician, and the son of İsmet * Mevhibe İnön ...

Istanbul ) , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = 34000 to 34990 , area_code = +90 212 (European side) +90 216 (Asian side) , registration_plate = 34 , blank_name_sec2 = GeoTLD , blank_i ...

Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a small portion on the Balkan Peninsula in ...

, entering in the last moments in a 1–0 win.

Honours

;Besa Kavajë * Albanian Cup: 2006–07 ;Laçi * Albanian Cup: 2014–15 *

Albanian Supercup The Albanian Supercup is a single match usually at the beginning of the season between the winners of the Kategoria Superiore and Albanian Cup. Supercup final was not played in the occasions when the champion team won the Double. However, after ...

: 2015

References

External links

* * * 1985 births Living people Sportspeople from Berat Men's association football midfielders Albanian men's footballers Albania men's youth international footballers Albania men's under-21 international footballers KF Tomori players KF Besa Kavajë players KF Laçi players KF Shkumbini players KF Teuta Durrës players KF Korabi Peshkopi players KF Vora players KF Burreli players KF Luzi i Vogël 2008 players Kategoria Superiore players Kategoria e Parë players Kategoria e Dytë players Albania men's international footballers {{Albania-footy-midfielder-stub