28 Facts About Sokol Cikalleshi

Sokol Cikalleshi made his professional debut in 2007 as a 17-year-old with his hometown club Besa, and would then go on loan to Skenderbeu, Tirana and South Korean side Incheon United between 2011 and 2012.

Sokol Cikalleshi was first called up to the Albania national team by Gianni De Biasi and he made his debut on 31 May 2014 against Romania and he has been a regular member of the national side, earning over 50 caps and was part of UEFA Euro 2016 squad.

Sokol Cikalleshi made 27 league appearances and scored twice, with his first professional goal coming against Shkumbini on 29 August 2011 in the Kategoria Superiore, and he went on to score against Vllaznia later in the season.

Sokol Cikalleshi played a significant role in the club's cup winning run, as he made 8 appearances and scored twice, including the winning goal in the semi-final against Shkumbini.

In July 2012, Sokol Cikalleshi joined South Korean K-League club Incheon United FC on a 6-month loan deal.

Sokol Cikalleshi was presented on the same day where he choose the squad number 99.

Ten days later Sokol Cikalleshi was presented to the club where he signed a 4-years contract.

In January 2017 Sokol Cikalleshi was loaned to fellow Super Lig side Akhisar Belediyespor until the end of the season.

On 8 May 2017 Sokol Cikalleshi scored two fast goals between 3 minutes and made a shoot which caused an own goal by a Gaziantepspor defender.

Sokol Cikalleshi signed a contract until June 2022 and was given squad number 37.

On 11 September 2020, Sokol Cikalleshi was signed by Konyaspor on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

On 3 February 2022, Sokol Cikalleshi extended his contract with the club for two more years.

On 24 August 2022, Sokol Cikalleshi joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Khaleej on loan from Konyaspor.

Sokol Cikalleshi scored 10 goals in 29 league appearances as his side narrowly avoided relegation.

Sokol Cikalleshi had a strong start to the season, scoring for the first time in the opening two rounds, respectively against Istanbulspor and Antalyaspor.

Sokol Cikalleshi has been a former Albania youth international, representing under-19, -20 and -21 levels.

Sokol Cikalleshi was part of Albania under-19 squad in the qualifiers of 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.

Sokol Cikalleshi went on to make another appearance as Albania finished Group 9 in the last position.

In June 2009, Sokol Cikalleshi was called up by manager of Albania under-20 side Artan Bushati to be part of the team at 2009 Mediterranean Games.

Sokol Cikalleshi then was part of under-21 squad for the qualifiers of 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship where Albania was placed in Group 10.

Sokol Cikalleshi lost his place in the starting lineup from the beginning of 2016 due to good running form of fellow striker Armando Sadiku.

Sokol Cikalleshi was barely used in Albania's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Sokol Cikalleshi made only 3 appearances, only one as starter, collecting 132 minutes without scoring.

Sokol Cikalleshi was Albania's main striker in their historic UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, during which they won Group E with 15 points.

Sokol Cikalleshi announced his retirement one day after the list was made public.

Sokol Cikalleshi is a versatile attacking player who is known for his goalscoring ability and his aerial prowess.

Sokol Cikalleshi is a very strong player on the ball who is capable with both feet.

On 12 October 2017, Sokol Cikalleshi become a father for the first time when his wife gave birth to the couple's first daughter, named Rajna.