Etrit Berisha

At 35 years old, Etrit Berisha has this physical status:

Etrit Fadil Berisha (born 10 March 1989) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays for SPAL, on loan from Atalanta and Albania's national team. Berisha began his career with KF 2 Korriku as a youth and also playing youth football with KF KEK before joining Kalmar FF in 2008, first as part of the youth team.

He was promoted to the first team in 2010 and made his debut for the team and establishing himself as a first team player, making 14 league appearances in his debut season.

During the 2011 Allsvenskan campaign, he defended his position as the club's first choice keeper, assassinating his side's mid table finish as well as reaching the 2011 Svenska Cupen Final, which he did not participate in and which his team lost.

He scored his first professional goal from the penalty spot against Northern Ireland's Cliftonville on July 12, 2012, and he added a point against Helsingborgs just a month later.

He remained the club's first choice goalkeeper, and his efforts earned him the Allsvenskan goalkeeper of the year award for the 2013 season, which saw him score twice from the penalty spot and help his side win a fourth-place finish in the league. Chievo announced in the summer of 2013 that they had a pre-contract agreement with Berisha, but it was soon followed by Lazio, which caused controversy and culminated in the player's suspension.

He competes with Italy's Federico Marchetti for the first choice goalkeeper spot at Lazio, and neither has taken the position entirely their own since Berisha's arrival.

Stefano Pioli, Lazio's head coach, has favored Marchetti, and Berisha's playing time has decreased as a result, with fewer appearances than his first season with the club. Berisha is from Kosovo but he is able to represent Albania due to his Albanian ethnicity, and he was first called up to the Albanian national team in 2012 by Italian head coach Gianni De Biasi, where he made his international debut against Iran on May 27th, 2012.

He started as a back-up goalkeeper for Samir Ujkani, but after just a few games, he became Albania's first choice goalkeeper, with Ujkani switching allegiances to Kosovo in 2014.

As Albania qualified for their first major international tournament, becoming a fan favorite in the process.

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Club career

Berisha was born in Pristina, Kosovo's newest ethnic Albanian parents. He started his youth playing with KF 2 Korriku as a midfielder before moving to a goalkeeper at the age of 8. He remained at 2 Korriku until the club halted operations during the Kosovo War between 1998 and 1999. Since the club was reorganised, he returned to the team. Since the club was struggling financially, the youth players, including Berisha, had relocated to KF KEK in Obili/Kastriot in 2004, where he would stay until 2 Korriku was able to take in youth players again in 2007. He started training with FK Bashchiny in Kumanovo, Macedonia, shortly after being promoted to work with the club's head coach at the time, in order to have better facilities than those found in Kosovo.

Berisha went on trial with Swedish side Kalmar in 2007, and Albert Bunjaki, the head coach of the unofficial Kosovo national team as well as being part of the teaching staff at Kalmar, made it possible. His trial was fruitful and he was offered a contract by the club, and he was called to Kalmar in January 2008 as he was too young and inexperienced for first team football at the time, and he was loaned out for a brief time with local Division II club Lindsdals IF to gain first team experience during the 2009 season. He excelled in youth and was eventually named in the first team of the 2010 Allsvenskan, where he was initially regarded as the back-up to veteran goalkeeper and Kalmar legend Petter Wast.

In the 3–0 home loss, his first taste of first team football came in the first game of the season against IFK Göteborg, where he was an unused substitute. He stayed on the bench until the 9th game week on April 28th, where he was made his professional debut by Nanne Bergstrand against rebro SK, who lost 4–1. He played in six games for Kalmar, and his team lost in those games. He cemented his place as the first choice goalkeeper with some impressive performances, losing only once in the 14 league games he played in and keeping seven clean sheets in the process. He appeared in the semi-finals of the Svenska Cupen against Hammarby, despite the fact that the game came down to penalties following a 2–2 draw. Kalmar lost 6–5 on penalties after Berisha failed to save any penalties.

Berisha made her Kalmar debut against Rebro SK on April 28, 2010 where they took 4–1. In his debuting season, he was Kalmar's starting goalkeeper. Berisha scored his first goal for Kalmar against Cliftonville in the Europa League qualification rounds, scoring from the penalty spot in the 38th minute in 2012. Berisha's worst-ever result came at the game, with the final score set at 7–2. Berisha played for penalty at Kalmar and would have all of his goals from the penalty box.

Berisha played his last game for Kalmar against Halmstads BK on September 1st, 2013 and scored on a penalty to give his team the 1–0 victory.

During his time in Kalmar, club Manager Svante Samuelsson said that Etrit had progressed to be a top goalkeeper during his time in Kalmar, and that he had worked assiduously alongside qualified goalkeeper trainer Donald Arvidsson. Berisha was adored by the fans, especially in the 2013 season, as the main factor in keeping the team at fifth place with a chance of winning the league.

In the summer transfer season, Etrit Berisha officially signed for S.S. Lazio on September 2, 2013.

Berisha was named as the second choice by Lazio's coach Vladimir Petkovi in his debut season with Lazio, behind Federico Marchetti. Federico Marchetti was on the bench on his debut in a 2013–14 UEFA Europa League group stage match against Apollon Limassol, which resulted in a 2–1 win for Lazio and Berisha's first victory. His superb work prompted him to start over in the upcoming Europa League fixture against Legia Warszawa three weeks later, and Berisha managed to keep the team clean by making some important saves that allowed his team to win by 2–0. Berisha played in the Europa League for the third time in a row, defeating Trabzonspor on December 12th, resulting in another clean sheet and a 0–0 draw. Federico Marchetti, the first choice, was hurt in December 2013, and Berisha had the opportunity to make his league debut against Inter Milan under new coach Edoardo Reja, who was first appointed on January 4, 2014. Lazio defeated 1–0 in the 90-minutes match against Inter Milan Berisha, who kept a clean sheet on hand. Berisha played another full match and kept another clean sheet against Bologna on January 11, 2014, the match concluded in a goalless draw. Lazio defeated Parma 21-0 in his first match in the Coppa Italia on January 14th. He was able to play in the next match in Coppa Italia against Napoli, which was contested in the quarter-finals, where Lazio lost 1–0 and was barred from the tournament.

Despite the fact that the first choice Marchetti returned from injury, Edoardo Reja's new coach decided to put Berisha in the starting lineup, and Berisha played another full 90 minutes against Juventus on January 25, 2014, where Federico Marchetti was left on the bench. Berisha's strong showing against Chievo Verona, who lost 2–0 by Lazio on February 2, 2014. Berisha played the full 90-minutes match against Roma on February 8, 2014; he was named Man of the match by the match's duration at 0–0; he was voted Man of the match by Lazio during his time as the match concluded 0–0. In the Europa League Lazio, the men met Ludogorets Razgrad in the round of 32, but Berisha was unable to participate in the full 90 minutes match, which ended in a 1–0 loss.

Berisha lost his starting position to Marchetti for three consecutive matches on the bench after playing regularly for eight matches in total. Marchetti suffered injuries during three matches, and Berisha returned to action for two matches shortly after, but not for a temporary appearance of Marchetti against Parma on March 30, 2014. Berisha played in the complete seven remaining matches. Berisha kept a clean sheet in their 2–0 victory over Sampdoria, where he played the full 90 minutes. In an important 2–0 away win over Livorno on April 27, 2014, he had another clean sheet. Berisha appeared in the last game of the season on May 18th, keeping the clean sheet in the victory 1–0 win over Bologna after a late penalty kick from Lucas Biglia in the 4th minute of stoppage time.

Berisha played in all 90 minutes during the 2013–14 season, with two in Coppa Italia and four in the Europa League and Lazio ranked in the top eleven international goalkeepers of the year.

Berisha was ranked second in Lazio's second season as the second choice by newly appointed coach Stefano Pioli, behind Federico Marchetti, but he was also chosen first for the 2014–15 Coppa Italia. Berisha maintained the clean-sheet in his debut of the 2014–15 Coppa Italia against Bassano Virtus, who lost 7–0. With Lazio playing a full 90-minutes in the first match against Milan, which ended in a 3–1 loss, he started the 2014–15 Serie A season. Despite the fact that coach Stefano Pioli liked Federico Marchetti as his first pick during the season, Berisha was able to show his versatility as he played the full 90-minutes match against Lazio on February 15, 2015 against Udinese and kept the clean sheet intact, allowing him to win by 1-1. However, it wasn't over yet because Goal.com had selected him in the best eleven of the 23rd week Serie A.

Berisha played in total ten games, with four clean-sheets for Lazio's third appearance finish, which culminated in a spot in the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League. Berisha played the entire seven matches, losing only two goals before the final against Serie A and Coppa Italia champions Juventus, where Lazio lost only in the extra-time with a crucial goal by Alessandro Matri in the 97th minute.

Berisha's decision to relocate at Attalanta B.C. was prompted by the Lazio's decision to keep Marchetti as a starting goalkeeper. To obtain the permanent starting eleven, you will be able to get a year loan with the purchase option. He had a superb season at Attalanta, where he kept 11 clean-sheets and an outstanding showing during the entire season was the key to Atalanta's triumph of qualifying for the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League.

He maintained a clean sheet against Napoli's eventual third place team on February 26, 2017 with a string of crucial saves that led Atalanta to a decisive victory at Stadio San Paolo. On March 5, 2017, Berisha kept their third clean sheet against Fiorentina mading several key saves, including one in the first half as Atalanta lost for the third time in a row.

Atalanta acquired Berisha on a permanent basis on June 21, 2017, for a reported €5 million. Berisha was rated as the best goalkeeper of the week by participating in the top eleven of the week following a strong showing in the 3rd game week of the 2017–18 Serie A against Sassuolo.

Berisha joined SPAL on loan with the promise to buy on July 6, 2019.

He tested positive for COVID-19 on November 27, 2020, which was the first time he had detected.

Berisha started a three-year deal with Torino on July 3, 2021. The transfer was made as a one-season loan with a Torino obligation to buy following.

International career

Berisha was given his first international call up by Albanian national team coach Gianni De Biasi for friendlies against Qatar and Iran in May 2012. In a 1–0 victory, he made his Albania debut against Iran at the nönü Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, playing the full 90 minutes and keeping a clean sheet. He earned his Albanian citizenship on June 1st, making him eligible to play for Albania's national team in competitive matches as well. On August 14, 2012, he was able to play in the next friendly match against Moldova against Moldova, as a substitute at halftime in place of Samir Ujkani.

Berisha was invited to the first 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Cyprus and Switzerland. However, he was an ineffective substitute in both games as the first choice, Samir Ujkani, was not available. He was called up again for the next two qualifying matches against Iceland and Slovenia in October, where Berisha made his competitive debut against the second team on October 16th, playing full-90 minutes and maintaining a clean sheet with several key saves that helped Albania beat them 11-0 at Qemal Stafa Stadium, the first time they had ever defeated them.

Berisha was named first choice goalkeeper for the remaining qualifying matches following this success. Berisha put on a flawless display in Oslo's match against Norway on March 22, 2013, leading Albania to a 1-0 victory, the first ever against them. Although Albania lost three and two games to end the qualifying campaign in the penultimate place with ten points, he managed to play in the remaining five matches.

Ujkani's fellow goalkeeper played for Kosovo after the qualifiers, making Berisha Albania's first pick, with Shehi as second-hand. Berisha launched Albania's first UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier against Portugal, delivering a good showing as Albania won 1–0 to open the qualifiers for the first time as a winner. It was also the first time anyone had beat "Seleço das Quinas." Berisha started as a starter on the matchday 4 away against Serbia in October 2014, but the match was postponed due to Serbian fans' fires onto the pitch during the 42nd minute. Serbian hooligans assaulted him and other Albanian players, throwing chairs and other items onto the pitch. Serbia received a 3–0 win in the initial round, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport denied Serbia three points, bringing both Serbia and Albania's appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who then dismissed Serbia with a 3–0 victory. Serbia was also deducted three points on July 10, 2015.

Berisha made several good saves that earned Albania a point in the away match against Denmark, which brought the team closer to the "European dream" on September 4, 2015. Albania was back on target after losing two major victories in the last minutes against Portugal and Serbia, respectively 0–1 and 0–2, with the goals coming in the extra minutes. Albania had one last chance to qualify in the final qualifying match against Armenia at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, where Berisha kept a clean sheet as Albania defeated 3–0 to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2016 first-ever appearance at a major men's football tournament in the region.

Berisha was included in Albania's preliminary 27-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016 on May 21 and in Albania's final 23-man UEFA Euro squad on May 31. Berisha scored the first goal of the match against Switzerland on June 11, 2016, which was followed by a header by Fabian Schär from a corner kick. Berisha's wall lasted until 90th minute against the hosts France in the second round, a 2–0 victory. Berisha's first clean sheet was stolen from Albania's 1–0 victory in a major football tournament in the third and final group match against Romania. It was Albania's first victory over Romania since 1948. Albania finished third in the third leagues with three points and a goal difference – 2, and was ranked last in the third-placed teams, which later dropped them.

Albania's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign started off promising, beating Macedonia 2–1 in the first two games and then Liechtenstein 2–0 away on October 6th, where Berisha's over 18th clean-sheet set the Arjan Beqaj record for most clean-sheets with Albania. Berisha was instrumental in two victories and was lauded by the media for her coverage. Berisha maintained a clean sheet in the first game against Spain on October 10th, and then ten minutes after the ball was kicked, allowing David Silva the opportunity to play the ball and give him a prompt pass to Diego Costa, who scored at an empty net. Spain won by eight minutes after scoring again, but not in a 2–0 victory. Nevertheless, Berisha was praised for his efforts against a tenacious foe such as Spain, which prevented him from losing with more goals. Berisha was involved in a physical confrontation against Israeli striker Eran Zahavi on November 12, 2016, resulting in his dismissal with a headbutt and being suspended from the tournament for an undecided period of time. FIFA's decision to ban Berisha from two matches and fined him with 5,000 Fr. He missed two next matches against Italy on March 24th, 2017 and on June 11th, 2017. Albania captained Albania for the first time in a competitive match on matchday 9 against Spain on October 6, 2017 after coach Christian Panucci awarded him as the mostcapped player in the entire starting eleven.

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