Edmond Kapllani

Edmond Kapllani (born 31 July, 1982 in Durrës, Albania) is an Albanian football (soccer) who currently plays as a striker (football) for Karlsruher SC in the German Fußball-Bundesliga.

Club career

Before joining Karlsruher SC, Kapllani had played for several different clubs. His former clubs are KS Teuta Durrës, KF Partizani Tirana and KS Besa Kavajë in the Albanian Superliga. He also spent one year in Croatia with NK Rijeka, but after an uneventful season in Croatia's top division he soon returned to play in Albania.

Karlsruher SC

Kapllani joined the then 2. Fußball-Bundesliga side, Karlsruher SC, on 1 July, 2004. It took time for Kapllani to adjust to the German league's style of play and started only 15 games in his first season, scoring just 1 goal. In the 2005-2006 season Kapllani became a more regular first team player, appearing in 25 league games that season, scoring 6 goals. He had a very successful 2006–2007 season with Karlsruher SC, as he became the second highest goalscorer in the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga with 17 goals in 30 appearances, behind teammate and strike partner Giovanni Federico, who netted 19 times in the same season. Both players helped the club gain promotion to the Fußball-Bundesliga after a nine-year absence. In the 2007–2008 season, Kapllani found it difficult to adjust to the top division, playing 28 matches and scoring just two goals. However, despite Kapllani's indifferent form, Karlsruher SC finished in 11th place, securing top-flight football for another season.

Honours

- Winner of the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga 2007 with Karlsruher SC
- Winner of the Albanian First Division 2001 with KF Partizani Tirana
- Albania national football team international footballer since 2004.
- Albania national football team highest scorer in any competition with 5 goals in UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying

Career Stats

68 since 2004, Kapllani was the nation's top scorer in the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying, scoring three goals in his country's two matches against Luxembourg national football team and another two goals in games against Belarus national football team and Romania national football team. He currently has 21 caps and six international goals to his name.

International goals

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