Etrit Berisha facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Etrit Berisha

Berisha with Albania in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Etrit Fadil Berisha
Date of birth	(1989-03-10) 10 March 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth	Pristina, SFR Yugoslavia (modern Kosovo)
Height	1.94 m
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Youth career
1997–2007	2 Korriku
2004–2007	→ KEK (loan)
2008–2010	Kalmar
2009	→ Lindsdal (loan)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2010–2013	Kalmar	90	(3)
2013–2016	Lazio	38	(0)
2016–2019	Atalanta	75	(0)
2019–2022	SPAL	51	(0)
2021–2022	→ Torino (loan)	10	(0)
2022–2023	Torino	0	(0)
2023–2024	Empoli	14	(0)
National team‡
2012–	Albania	81	(0)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 May 2024. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:30, 3 June 2024 (UTC)

Etrit Fadil Berisha (born 10 March 1989) is an Albanian professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper and is the captain of the Albania national team.

Berisha started his career at a local club called KF 2 Korriku when he was young. He also played youth football with KF KEK before joining Kalmar in Sweden in 2008. He became a part of Kalmar's main team in 2010. He quickly became their first-choice goalkeeper. In 2013, he was even named the best goalkeeper in the Swedish league, Allsvenskan.

Later in 2013, Berisha moved to Italy to play for Lazio. He competed for the main goalkeeper spot there. Even though he was born in Kosovo, Berisha plays for Albania because of his Albanian family background. He joined the Albania national team in 2012. He soon became their main goalkeeper. Berisha played a very important part in helping Albania qualify for their first big international tournament, UEFA Euro 2016.

Playing for Clubs

Starting Out

Berisha was born in Pristina, which is now in Kosovo. He started playing football at age eight for a local team called KF 2 Korriku. He first played as a midfielder before becoming a goalkeeper. When his club faced money problems, he moved to KF KEK in 2004. He stayed there until 2 Korriku could take youth players again in 2007. He also got to train with a club in Macedonia to use better facilities.

Time at Kalmar

Berisha in training with Kalmar in 2008

In 2007, Berisha had a trial with the Swedish team Kalmar. He did well and joined their under-19 team in 2008. He was loaned to a smaller club, Lindsdals IF, in 2009 to get more experience. By 2010, he joined Kalmar's main team. He was first a backup goalkeeper.

Berisha played his first professional game on 28 April 2010 against Örebro SK, and his team won 4–1. He played well in his first season, keeping seven clean sheets (meaning the other team didn't score). He became the team's main goalkeeper. Berisha even scored his first goal for Kalmar in a Europa League qualifying match. He later scored his first league goal from a penalty kick in 2012. He became known for taking penalties and scored all his goals this way.

His last game for Kalmar was on 1 September 2013. He scored a penalty that gave his team a 1–0 win. People at Kalmar said he became a very good goalkeeper. Fans liked him a lot, especially in 2013, when he helped the club finish high in the league.

Moving to Lazio

On 2 September 2013, Etrit Berisha officially joined Lazio, a big club in Italy.

In his first season at Lazio, Berisha was the second-choice goalkeeper. He made his first appearance on 7 November 2013 in a Europa League match, which Lazio won 2–1. He played well and kept clean sheets in other Europa League games. In December 2013, the main goalkeeper got injured, and Berisha got to play in the league. He made his league debut on 6 January 2014 against Inter Milan and kept a clean sheet.

Even when the main goalkeeper returned, the coach sometimes chose Berisha to play. He continued to play well, especially in a big match against Roma on 8 February 2014. The game ended 0–0, and Berisha was named the best player of the match. He finished the 2013–14 season having played 23 matches. He was also voted the best foreign goalkeeper of the year in the Italian league.

2014–15 Season

In his second season, Berisha was still the second-choice goalkeeper for league games. However, he was the main goalkeeper for the Italian Cup matches. He kept a clean sheet in his first game of the season, a 7–0 win.

He played a full match in the opening game of the 2014–15 Serie A season against Milan. He also played well in a match against Udinese, helping Lazio win 1–0. Berisha played ten matches in total that season, keeping four clean sheets. He helped Lazio finish third in the league, which meant they could play in the Champions League. In the Italian Cup, he played all seven matches. Lazio reached the final but lost to Juventus in extra time.

Joining Atalanta

Berisha with Atalanta in 2016

In 2016, Berisha moved to Atalanta B.C. on a one-year loan. He wanted to be a regular starting goalkeeper. He had a great season at Atalanta, keeping 11 clean sheets. His strong performances helped Atalanta finish 5th in the league. This meant they qualified for the Europa League.

He kept a clean sheet against Napoli on 26 February 2017, making many important saves. On 21 June 2017, Atalanta bought Berisha permanently. He continued to play well and was even named the best goalkeeper of the week in the league in September 2017.

Playing for S.P.A.L.

On 6 July 2019, Berisha joined SPAL, first on loan and then permanently. In November 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19.

Time at Torino

On 3 July 2021, Berisha signed a three-year contract with Torino. He joined them on a one-season loan, with the club planning to buy him later.

Moving to Empoli

On 29 August 2023, Berisha moved to Empoli.

International Career

First Matches and World Cup Qualifiers

Berisha was first called up to the Albania national team in May 2012. He made his debut against Iran on 27 May 2012, playing the whole game and keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 win. He became an Albanian citizen in June 2012, which allowed him to play for Albania in official matches.

He played his first competitive game for Albania on 16 October 2012 against Slovenia. He kept a clean sheet and helped Albania win 1–0. After this, Berisha became Albania's main goalkeeper for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He played very well in a match against Norway in March 2013, helping Albania win 1–0.

UEFA Euro 2016 Campaign

After the World Cup qualifiers, Berisha became the clear first-choice goalkeeper for Albania. He started in Albania's first Euro 2016 qualifying match against Portugal. He played strongly, and Albania won 1–0, which was their first-ever win against Portugal.

On 14 October 2014, in a match against Serbia, the game was stopped because of fan trouble. Berisha and other Albanian players were attacked. Later, the Court of Arbitration for Sport decided that Albania won the match 3–0.

On 4 September 2015, Berisha made many good saves against Denmark, helping Albania get a draw. This brought the team closer to qualifying for the Euro tournament. In the final qualifying match against Armenia, Berisha kept a clean sheet as Albania won 3–0. This win meant Albania qualified for UEFA Euro 2016, their first time ever in a major football tournament!

At Euro 2016, Berisha played in all three group matches. In the last group match against Romania, he kept his first clean sheet of the tournament. Albania won 1–0, which was their first win in a major football tournament. Albania finished third in their group and was unfortunately eliminated.

2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Albania started their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign well. Berisha helped them win their first two matches. On 6 October 2016, he broke a record for most clean sheets with Albania. In a game against Spain on 10 October, Berisha made a mistake that led to a goal, but he was still praised for many other good saves.

On 12 November 2016, in a home game against Israel, Berisha was involved in a physical clash with an Israeli player. He was sent off and banned from playing for a period. FIFA later banned him for two matches and fined him. On 6 October 2017, Berisha captained Albania for the first time in a competitive match.

How He Plays

Berisha is known for being very athletic as a goalkeeper. He is also good at taking penalty kicks. He scored four goals from penalties during his time at Kalmar. He has said that his favorite player and role model is the Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Awards and Achievements

Kalmar FF

• Allsvenskan: 2008 (This is the top football league in Sweden)
• Svenska Supercupen: 2009 (A super cup competition in Sweden)

Individual Awards

• Allsvenskan Goalkeeper of the Year: 2013
• Serie A Foreign Goalkeeper of the Year: 2013–14 (This is the top football league in Italy)

See also

In Spanish: Etrit Berisha para niños