England entertain Albania this night within the first fixture of their 2026 World Cup qualification marketing campaign.
Albania have made strides ahead in recent times, reaching the European Championship for the primary time in 2016 and once more qualifying for the match in 2024. Now, The Purple and Blacks are aiming for a first-ever consequence in opposition to England and a maiden look on the World Cup.
Forward of tonight’s tie, we’ve seemed on the unique group of Albanian footballers to have plied their commerce within the Premier League.
Lorik Cana
Considered one among Albania’s best footballers, Lorik Cana holds the all-time report for appearances for the nationwide crew (93).
The midfielder’s profession took in spells at prime golf equipment together with Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Galatasaray and Lazio, alongside a brief spell within the North East of England. Cana signed for Sunderland forward of the 2009/10 season to turn out to be the primary Albanian to play within the Premier League and his on the spot influence noticed him handed the captaincy on the Stadium of Gentle.
He made 35 appearances in all competitions as Sunderland completed thirteenth within the desk. Nevertheless, he departed for Galatasaray after one season in England, citing a want to be nearer to his household ties.
Armando Broja
The Slough-born striker got here by the ranks at Chelsea earlier than impressing throughout mortgage spells at Vitesse Arnhem and Southampton.
Broja declined an invite from England’s u-21 facet to be able to signify Albania, the nations of his dad and mom. He has since scored 5 objectives in 23 caps for the nationwide crew however has seen his membership profession stalled amid harm points.
After a difficult mortgage spell at Fulham, he has endured an injury-hit time throughout one other mortgage stint at Everton this season.
Thomas Strakosha
Thomas Strakosha’s arrival at Brentford was thought-about a coup, after the Bees landed the free agent in 2023.
The Albanian shot-stopper had made 208 appearances at Lazio however was unable to nail down a daily function in West London. Strakosha made simply six appearances in all competitions because of the presence of David Raya and, latterly, Mark Flekken on the membership.
He joined AEK Athens on a free switch final summer time, the place his present teammates embrace ex-Manchester United striker Anthony Martial and former Tottenham winger Erik Lamela.
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