Besart Berisha

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Besart Berisha

Berisha with Brisbane Roar in 2012
Personal information
Date of birth (1985-07-29) 29 July 1985
Place of birthPristina, SFR Yugoslavia
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing positionStriker, Winger
Club information
Current clubBrisbane Roar
Number7
Youth career
Berliner VB 49
Berliner FC Dynamo
SV Lichtenberg
Tennis Borussia Berlin
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2003–2004Tennis Borussia Berlin4(1)
2004–2007Hamburger SV12(1)
2005→ AaB (loan)2(0)
2005–2006→ Horsens (loan)32(11)
2007–2009Burnley0(0)
2008→ Rosenborg (loan)8(3)
2009→ Horsens (loan)13(4)
2010–2011Arminia Bielefeld28(2)
2011–Brisbane Roar67(43)
National team‡
2006–Albania17(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 7 February 2014.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 October 2009

Besart Berisha (born 29 July 1985) is an Albanian footballer who plays as a striker for A-League club Brisbane Roar and the Albanian national football team. He is set to join Melbourne Victory in 2014 at the conclusion of his contract at Brisbane.[1][2]

Club career

Youth and Hamburger SV

Berisha began his youth career at German NOFV-Oberliga club Tennis Borussia Berlin in 2003, where a 17-year-old Berisha won the national youth league’s golden boot, outclassing future Germany strikers, Mario Gomez and Lukas Podolski.[3] He stayed for just a year before being spotted by Bundesliga club Hamburger SV. After signing for Hamburg he was immediately loaned to Danish Superliga team Aalborg Boldspilklub where he spent a rather unsuccessful spell, playing only three games and scoring no goals.[4] The following season he was loaned out to fellow Superliga side AC Horsens, where he scored 11 goals in 32 appearances becoming the team's top scorer that season.

For the 2006–07 football season, he remained at Hamburg and was given his chances in the first team. On 6 December 2006, Berisha became the first Albanian ever to score a goal in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League[4] by scoring his first goal for Hamburg in the match against CSKA Moscow at home in Hamburg. He went on to make 12 appearances for Hamburg in the 2006–07 season, nine of which were as a substitute. After the sacking of Thomas Doll and the arrival of Huub Stevens as Hamburg's new manager, Berisha was not needed as part of his plan for the team and remained on the bench for the rest of the season.

Burnley

On 3 July 2007, Burnley purchased Berisha from Hamburg SV for £340,000, this followed his impressive performance for Albania against England B on Burnley's home ground Turf Moor.[5] After his performance many European clubs were interested in signing the player [4] but Berisha was eventually signed to Burnley on a three-year deal, subject to the player being granted a work permit. The permit was eventually granted on 3 July 2007 and the deal was completed.[6]

Berisha was ruled out for the 2007–08 season when he picked up an injury whilst playing for his country in an International friendly against Malta.[7] It was originally believed to be a minor knock to the knee but it was later discovered that the injury was more serious and was likely to keep the player out for 5–6 weeks.[8] After seeing a surgeon it was further revealed that the player had in fact snapped his cruciate ligament in his knee and would not return to football for a year.[9] The reason that doctors had originally failed to discover the damaged ligament was due to a build up of fluid in the knee which distorted the scans image.[7]

Ten months after suffering his serious knee injury, Berisha made his return to football in a pre-season friendly match in the USA against Carolina Railhawks, He came on in the 71st minute for Joey Guðjónsson. Berisha had just flown to America 24 hours earlier from Albania which proved to be the reason for him not making an impact in the 20 minutes that he spent on the field. The match ended in defeat for Burnley with a 2–1 loss to the American side. Despite failing to make a single competitive start for Burnley, on 31 July 2009 it was announced that Burnley had agreed the sale of Berisha to German Bundesliga 2 team Arminia Bielefeld for a fee believed to be £75,000.

Rosenborg

He was loaned out to Rosenborg in the autumn of 2008, scoring twice on his debut against rivals Molde FK on Lerkendal Stadion.

Horsens

Berisha joined AC Horsens on loan on 8 January 2009 and was released to return to Burnley F.C. on 26 May 2009.[10] AC Horsens dissolved the loan contract after an incident in training involving Berisha and Kenneth Emil Petersen. Despite scoring some important goals for AC Horsens Berisha returned prematurely to Burnley, where he had a contract running until 2010.

Arminia Bielefeld

On 5 August 2009, Berisha completed a move back to Germany, joining 2. Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld.[11]

Brisbane Roar

2011-12 Season

On 16 August 2011, Brisbane Roar manager Ange Postecoglou announced that Berisha had agreed to a one-year deal with the 2010–11 A-League champions.[12] Berisha scored his first goal for Brisbane in round two against Sydney FC.[13] Berisha scored four goals in a 7–1 thrashing against Adelaide United in round four, Brisbane's biggest ever victory and making him the first player to score more than three goals in a single game for the club.[14]

On 14 January 2012, Berisha was involved in an on-field melee with Sydney FC defender Pascal Bosschaart. Despite being cleared by the referee's post-match report and the Match Review Panel, Berisha was found to have breached the FFA Code of Conduct and was banned for one match.[15] On 14 February 2012, it was announced that Berisha had signed a two-year contract extension, taking him to the end of the 2013–14 season.[16] Berisha's "volitile" personality led to occasional clashes with team mates, both at training and on-field, as well as with opposition players. However, he was largely praised for his passionate approach to the game.[17][18][19]

In the 2012 A-League Grand Final against Perth Glory, Berisha scored a brace, one in the final seconds from a controversial penalty kick, to help the Roar win 2–1 and become the first team to win back-to-back A-League championships. Berisha became the first Albanian to score in two different Champions Leagues when he scored against F.C. Tokyo in the Asian Champions League.[20] In the 2011–12 A-League season, Berisha won the Golden Boot with 19 goals, the Football Media Association Player of the Year, the Players' Player of the Year, and Members' Player of the Year awards.[21][22][23] Berisha finished the season with 23 goals from 35 games, a record for a player in a season for Brisbane. His season tally included 19 goals in the regular season of the A-League; a joint all-time record.

2012-13 Season

Berisha's 2012-13 season was less notable than his debut season for the club. However, he still managed to finish what was a disappointing season for Brisbane with 14 goals from 28 appearances in all competitions. Berisha scored a number of important goals for Brisbane as they struggled to find the form that won them two consecutive championships; he scored the sole goal in Round 9 as ten man Brisbane saw off Newcastle Jets at home. However, arguably none were as important as the opening goal of the final round victory over Sydney FC which confirmed Brisbane's place in the post-season finals series.

2013-14 Season

The 2013-14 season started poorly for Berisha, despite scoring in the opening round win over Wellington Phoenix, he injured his hamstring in Round 2 which kept him on the sidelines for four weeks. Upon his return, he scored four goals in his next five appearances including a second half winner against Perth Glory and a brace in a 2-1 defeat of Adelaide United, however a hip injury then sidelined him for a further two weeks. Despite Berisha again scoring on his return from injury, on this occasion he could not prevent defeat to Adelaide at home. In the following match away to Perth Glory he received his first red card in the A-League. He was unfortunate to be booked in the first 30 seconds of the game whilst contesting a header with Michael Thwaite; he was then given his marching orders in the 32nd minute after receiving a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on the same player. Berisha scored on his return from suspension, netting a 90th minute winner against Central Coast Mariners.

Melbourne Victory

On 22 January 2014 it was announced that A-League club Melbourne Victory had agreed to sign Berisha as the club's International Marquee player when his contract with Brisbane expires at the conclusion of the 2013–14 season.[1] The contract is for two seasons commencing in the 2014–15 season and is worth $1.5 million, more than double his wage at Brisbane.[24]

International football

Berisha received Albanian citizenship in September 2006. He played his first game for the Albania national football team on 11 October 2006, against the Netherlands. He scored his first international goal for Albania on 25 May 2007, during a friendly match with England B played at Turf Moor, in Burnley, England, where he showed impressive form and was the Albanian man of the match.[5] During the World Cup 2010 qualifiers, he was called up regularly for all ten matches, playing on eight of them.[25] After the end of the tournament, he refused permanently to be called up for the national team's fixtures, one reason being that he is living a long distance away from Albania. As of 14 October 2009, Berisha has made 17 appearances and scored one goal for Albania.[26]

On 9 December 2013, he declared that after the opening of the winter transfer period he will sign for a football-club in Europe to be more close Albania and to play again for the national team,[27] but suddenly on 22 January 2014 it was announced that fellow A-League club Melbourne Victory had agreed to sign Berisha for next season 2014–15.[1]

Honours

Club

Brisbane Roar

Personal

  • First Albanian to score in the Champions League Group Stage.
  • A-League Golden Boot: 2011–12
  • A-League Team of The Week: 2011–12 (Rounds 3, 8 and 13)
  • First Albanian to score in the Asian Champions League Group Stage.
  • First Albanian to score in two different Champions Leagues.[20]
  • Gary Wilkins Medal: 2011–12

Career statistics

Club

As of 7 February 2014
Club Season Division League1 Cup Continental2 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Tennis Borussia Berlin 2003–04 NOFV-Oberliga Nord 41----41
AaB (loan) 2004–2005 Danish Superliga 30----30
Horsens (loan) 2005–06 Danish Superliga 3211----3211
2008–2009 104----104
Total 4215----4215
Hamburger SV 2006–07 Bundesliga 1211021152
Rosenborg (loan) 2008 Tippeligaen 83--40123
Arminia Bielefeld 2010–11 2. Bundesliga 10010--110
Brisbane Roar 2011–12 A-League 2921--623523
2012–13 2714--102814
2013–14 118----118
Total 6743--727445
Career Total 146632013316166

1 – includes A-League final series statistics
 2 – includes FIFA Club World Cup statistics; AFC Champions League statistics are included in group stages commencing during domestic season (i.e. ACL and A-League seasons etc.)

International

Albania national team [28]
YearAppsGoals
200610
200761
200840
200960
2010---
Total171

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Besart Berisha to join Victory 2014/15". Football Australia. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014. 
  2. ↑ "Officielt: Berisha til Horsens" (in Danish). onside.dk. 8 January 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
  3. ↑ Kerr, Jack (Thursday 21 November 2013 11.26 AEST). "Besart Berisha driven to success by tough upbringing". The Guardian (theguardian.com). Retrieved 24 November 2013. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Besart Berisha". burnleyfootballclub.com. Retrieved 27 December 2011. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Winter, Henry (26 May 2007). "Bentley a star set for senior firmament". London: Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
  6. ↑ "Burnley Win Work Permit Appeal". burnleyfootballclub.com. 3 July 2007. Retrieved 27 December 2011. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Berisha Ruled Out For Season". Burnley FC. 13 September 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
  8. ↑ "Burnley sweat on Berisha injury". BBC News. 30 August 2007. Retrieved 26 April 2010. 
  9. ↑ "Burnley lose Berisha for campaign". BBC News. 13 September 2007. Retrieved 26 April 2010. 
  10. ↑ "Berisha zurück nach Burnley" (in German). transfermarkt.de. 26 May 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
  11. ↑ "Berisha-Transfer nach Bielefeld ist fix" (in German). transfermarkt.de. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
  12. ↑ "Matt McKay sits out farewell game as Roar downs Strikers". News Limited. Retrieved 16 August 2011. 
  13. ↑ "Roar ruins star's welcome home". The Age (Melbourne). 16 October 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2013. 
  14. ↑ Heming, Wayne (28 October 2011). "Brisbane Roar thump Adelaide United at Suncorp Stadium to extend unbeaten A-League run to 32 games". foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2011. 
  15. ↑ Monteverde, Marco (20 January 2012). "Brisbane Roar's Besart Berisha cops one-match ban for conduct breach". couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 20 January 2012. 
  16. ↑ Monteverde, Marco (14 February 2012). "Brisbane Roar announce the re-signing of key striker Besart Berisha for another two A-League seasons". Fox Sports. Retrieved 7 June 2012. 
  17. ↑ Monteverde, Marco (30 March 2012). "Brisbane Roar striker Besart Berisha is made up of a volatile mix that make him the best in the A-League". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 7 June 2012. 
  18. ↑ Monteverde, Marco (6 February 2012). "Roar striker Besart Berisha refuses apology after blow-up with teammate James Meyer". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 7 June 2012. 
  19. ↑ Monteverde, Marco (25 March 2012). "Roar striker Besart Berisha vows to tone down on-field outbursts news". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 7 June 2012. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Berisha,shqiptari i dy Champions Ligave!" (in Albanian). alba-times.blogspot.com. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012. 
  21. ↑ "The impact of Besart Berisha". footballaustralia.com.au. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012-. 
  22. ↑ Tuckerman, Mike (17 February 2012). "Why Besart Berisha is the A-League's best striker". brisbanetimes.com.au. Retrieved 7 June 2012. 
  23. ↑ "Berisha Sweeps Roar Awards". au.fourfourtwo.com. 6 May 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012. 
  24. ↑ "Besart Berisha says money not a reason to leave Roar as Melbourne Victory double his pay". Herald Sun. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2014. 
  25. ↑ "Performance data for season 08/09". transfermarkt.co.uk. Retrieved 14 December 2013. 
  26. ↑ Hoxha, Florent; Mamrud, Roberto (12 September 2013). "Appearances for Albania National Team". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
  27. ↑ "Besart Berisha premton: Kthehem në Europë dhe rifitoj Kombëtaren" (in Albanian). asport.info. December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013. 
  28. ↑ "Besart Berisha". National Football Teams. Retrieved 14 December 2013. 

External links

Awards
Preceded by
Sergio van Dijk		 A-League Golden Boot
2011–12 		Succeeded by
Daniel McBreen
A-League Golden Boot
Brisbane Roar FC – current squad
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