33 Facts About Shefki Kuqi

Shefki Kuqi was most recently the manager of Football Superleague of Kosovo club Feronikeli.

Shefki Kuqi spent most of his career in the English football league system, for clubs including Newcastle United, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town, Blackburn Rovers, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Swansea City and Oldham Athletic.

Shefki Kuqi made over 500 career league appearances, scoring over 150 goals.

Shefki Kuqi started his youth career at Trepca, and he played several games for the youth team, but he and his family later moved to Finland as Kosovar Albanian immigrants.

Shefki Kuqi later played for Mikkelin Kissat, Mikkelin Palloilijat, HJK and FC Jokerit in Finland's Veikkausliiga.

Shefki Kuqi played in the UEFA Champions League in the autumn of 1998 with HJK.

Shefki Kuqi was the league top scorer in the 2000 season, representing FC Jokerit.

Shefki Kuqi is still the club's second most internationally capped player.

However, under player-manager Carlton Palmer, after he succeeded Andy Kilner as manager, Shefki Kuqi was used less frequently.

Shefki Kuqi still maintains his accusations towards Palmer, claiming his management is 'clueless' and feels the club made a mistake having Palmer as manager.

Many Wednesday fans were bemused though at then manager Chris Turner's decision to let Shefki Kuqi leave for Ipswich for free after a strained relationship between the two.

Whilst in Sheffield, Shefki Kuqi scored a goal against Sheffield United in The Steel City Derby.

Shefki Kuqi scored the second goal in the 81st minute at Hillsborough to ensure a win after Lloyd Owusu had opened the scoring with his very first touch of the ball on his debut.

Shefki Kuqi did not have a prolific first season at Selhurst Park, scoring only seven goals in 38 games, and at the end of August 2007, he signed for Fulham on a four-month loan deal, where he made ten league appearances, scoring no goals.

In March 2008, Shefki Kuqi returned to Ipswich on loan until the end of the season to fill in for the injured Jonathan Walters but failed to reproduce his form at Ipswich Town.

Shefki Kuqi was offered a new contract on 27 January 2009 which he rejected.

Shefki Kuqi spent half a season playing with his brother, Njazi Kuqi.

Shefki Kuqi signed for Swansea City on a free transfer from TuS Koblenz on 25 January 2010.

On 10 February 2011, Shefki Kuqi joined Premier League side Newcastle United for the remainder of the season.

Shefki Kuqi was given the number 42 shirt and made his debut against former club Blackburn Rovers on 12 February 2011 coming on in the 90th minute in a goalless draw.

On his move, Shefki Kuqi admitted he was surprised to join the club but admitted that he was 'one of the happiest footballers in the world'.

Shefki Kuqi was released on 25 May 2011 after making six appearances, all as a substitute, without scoring.

The signing was considered as something of a coup for the Latics, as Shefki Kuqi was playing in the Premier League, the previous season.

Shefki Kuqi made it two goals in two games for Oldham with a headed goal against Stevenage.

On his move, Shefki Kuqi said the passion of the fans convinced him to join the club after he was in the stands to see an Edinburgh derby.

Shefki Kuqi made only two starting appearances for Hibs during his season with the club and failed to score a goal in 14 total appearances.

Shefki Kuqi was described by BBC Sport as being one of the worst signings in the SPL that season.

Shefki Kuqi made his debut for the Finland national team on 18 August 1999 against Belgium, soon after receiving Finnish citizenship.

Shefki Kuqi was a regular member of the Finland squad from 1999 to 2010.

Shefki Kuqi made 62 appearances for Finland and scored eight goals.

Shefki Kuqi announced his retirement from international football on 24 November 2010.

An older brother of Shefki Kuqi was due to begin national service, which prompted his family to emigrate to Finland, where they were granted asylum.

Shefki Kuqi is the older brother of Njazi Kuqi and Albert Kuqi, and the cousin of Daut Kuqi.