41 Facts About Etrit Berisha

Etrit Berisha was promoted to the first team in 2010, and soon made his debut for the club, establishing himself as a first team player with fourteen league appearances in his debut season.

Etrit Berisha cemented his position as the club's first choice keeper during the 2011 Allsvenskan campaign, helping his side achieve a mid-table finish as well as reach the 2011 Svenska Cupen final, which he did not play in as his side lost.

Etrit Berisha remained the club's first choice goalkeeper, and his performances earned him the Allsvenskan Goalkeeper of the Year award for the 2013 campaign.

Etrit Berisha is from Kosovo but is able to represent Albania through his Albanian ethnicity, and he was first called up to the Albania national team in 2012 by Italian head coach Gianni De Biasi, where he made his international debut against Iran on 27 May 2012.

Etrit Berisha was initially a backup for Samir Ujkani, but after just a few matches became Albania's first choice goalkeeper, with Ujkani switching allegiances to represent Kosovo in 2014.

Etrit Berisha played an instrumental role in Albania qualifying for its first major international tournament, UEFA Euro 2016, becoming a fan favourite in the process.

Etrit Berisha was born in Pristina, in present-day Kosovo, to ethnic Albanian parents.

Etrit Berisha began his youth career aged eight in local side KF 2 Korriku as a midfielder before switching to a goalkeeper.

Etrit Berisha returned to the club after the war once the club was reorganised.

Etrit Berisha soon began training with the first team at 2 Korriku and he was invited to train with FK Bashkimi in Kumanovo, Macedonia by fellow Kosovar Albanian Bylbyl Sokoli, who was the club's head coach at the time, in order to enjoy better facilities than those found in Kosovo.

Etrit Berisha went on trial at Swedish side Kalmar in 2007, and this was made possible by Albert Bunjaki, who was the head coach of the unofficial Kosovo national team as well as being part of the coaching staff at Kalmar.

Etrit Berisha's trial was successful and he was offered a contract by the club, and he initially joined the under-19s side at Kalmar in January 2008 as he was considered too young and inexperienced for first team football at the time and was later during the 2009 season loaned out for a short stint with local Division II club Lindsdals IF to gain first team experience.

Etrit Berisha impressed in the youth side and was eventually promoted to the first team ahead of the 2010 Allsvenskan, where he was initially regarded as backup to veteran goalkeeper and Kalmar legend, Petter Wasta.

Etrit Berisha experienced a run of six games in goal for Kalmar, and his side went unbeaten during these games.

Etrit Berisha scored his first goal for Kalmar against Cliftonville in the Europa League qualification rounds and scored his first goal in the Allsvenskan against champions Helsingborgs IF, scoring from the penalty spot in the 38th minute in 2012.

Etrit Berisha was liked by the fans, especially in the 2013 season as he was the main factor in keeping the club at fifth place with a chance for winning the league.

In December 2013 the first choice Federico Marchetti got injured and Etrit Berisha gained the chance to make his league debut on 6 January 2014 against Inter Milan under a new coach Edoardo Reja which was appointed on 4 January 2014.

One week later on 11 January 2014, Etrit Berisha played another full match and kept another clean sheet against Bologna, match finished in the goalless draw.

However, after these three matches, Marchetti then had injuries and soon after Etrit Berisha returned to play for two matches, except for a temporary return of Marchetti against Parma on 30 March 2014, Etrit Berisha played in the entire seven remaining matches.

Etrit Berisha kept a clean sheet against the eventual third place team Napoli on 26 February 2017 with several decisive saves helping Atalanta to take an away win at Stadio San Paolo.

Etrit Berisha kept the third consecutive clean sheet on 5 March 2017 against Fiorentina mading several notable saves including one crucial save in the first half as Atalanta took a goalless draw which came after five consecutive wins.

On 6 July 2019, Etrit Berisha joined SPAL on loan with an obligation to buy.

On 3 July 2021, Etrit Berisha signed a three-year contract with Torino.

Etrit Berisha received his first senior international call up by the Albania national team coach Gianni De Biasi for friendlies against Qatar and Iran in May 2012.

Etrit Berisha managed to play in the next other friendly match against Moldova on 14 August 2012 coming on as a substitute at half-time in place of Samir Ujkani.

Etrit Berisha was called up for the first 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Cyprus and Switzerland in September 2012.

Etrit Berisha managed to play in the remaining five matches, as the dream to qualify to the 2014 FIFA World Cup was shattered as Albania lost three and drew two to end the qualifying campaign in the penultimate place with ten points.

On 14 October 2014, in the matchday 4 away against Serbia, Etrit Berisha played as a starter until 42nd minute where the match was postponed due to Serbian fans launching flares onto the pitch.

On 4 September 2015, Etrit Berisha made several good saves which ensured Albania a point in the away match against Denmark, which brought the team closer to the "European dream".

On 21 May 2016, Etrit Berisha was named in Albania's preliminary 27-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016, and in Albania's final 23-man UEFA Euro squad on 31 May Later on 11 June 2016, in the first match of Group A against Switzerland, Etrit Berisha made an early howler which brought the only goal of the match, a header by Fabian Schar from a corner kick.

Etrit Berisha was involved in two wins and received praises from the media.

However Etrit Berisha was praised for his performance which made to avoid a defeat with more goals against a hard opponent such as Spain.

On 12 November 2016, during the home game against Israel, Etrit Berisha was involved in a physical clash against Israeli striker Eran Zahavi, ultimately knocking him down with a headbutt and being immediately executed and banned from the tournament for an undecided period of time.

Etrit Berisha missed two next matches against Italy on 24 March 2017 and against Israel on 11 June 2017.

On 6 October 2017, on matchday 9 against Spain, due to absence of main captain Ansi Agolli and vice captain Mergim Mavraj Etrit Berisha captained Albania for the first time in a competitive match, graduated by coach Christian Panucci as the most-capped player in the entire starting eleven.

Etrit Berisha is known for his athleticism in goal, as well as his penalty taking ability, having scored four times and missing once from the penalty spot during his time at Kalmar.

Etrit Berisha stated that his favourite player and role model is the Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

On 5 September 2013, after Etrit Berisha signed for Lazio, Chievo announced that they had sent the case in to the FIFA.

On 11 September 2013, Lazio's president Claudio Lotito declared that Etrit Berisha was bought and signed in the regular way according to the Transfer Window rules.

On 14 September 2013, the sport director of Chievo Giovanni Sartori accused Etrit Berisha of changing his mind for more money at Lazio.

On 31 January 2014, the media announced that Etrit Berisha risked a three-month suspension due to contract which he pretended to have signed.