Gjergji Muzaka
Gjergji Muzaka (born 26 September 1984) is an Albanian former professional footballer who plays as a midfielder. A product of Partizani Tirana academy, Muzaka begun his career as a talented youth player, which prompted Paris Saint-Germain to sign him in 2000. His spell in France was short-lived, however, as he returned at Partizani one year later and commenced his professional career as 17-year-old. Muzaka played for eight years for The Red Bulls, notably winning the Albanian Cup title and also having a brief spell in Greece with Iraklis as a loanee in 2004. In 2008, he switched clubs, joining Partizani's fierce rivals, KF Tirana. In the following years, he also represented Dinamo Tirana, Flamurtari Vlorë (twice) and Skënderbeu Korçë (twice), achieving a great success with the latter, winning three Albanian Superliga titles between 2011 and 2014. In January 2015, Muzaka returned to Tirana, but his second spell was marred by consistent injuries and off-field problems, including with club president Refik Halili. He left the club in controversial fashion in January 2017, accusing Halili of not paying him accordingly during his time there; Muzaka filled an appeal at the Conflict Resolution Room of AFA and won, but is yet to take is wages. He returned to Skënderbeu for a second time, and after a slow start, he aided the club to win the championship title in 2017–18 season. Prior to making his senior debut, Muzaka represented Albania at under-19 and -21 levels. He earned his first cap for the Albania national team in 2008, and since then, has made 23 appearances. Club career Early career Born in Tiranë, Muzaka began his playing career with local side Partizani Tirana when he was just a teenager. He played for the Partizani U17s where he attracted the interest of several foreign clubs with his performances on the right hand side of midfield. One of these foreign clubs was French giants Paris Saint-Germain, who in 2000 offered Muzaka a contract at the club. Muzaka accepted and left Partizani at the age of just 16, joining the PSG youth team. However, after just one year in France, Muzaka moved back to Albania and back to Partizani before the beginning of the 2001–02 season. Partizani Tirana After returning to Albania, Muzaka was placed into the first team of Partizani. In the 2001–02 season he played 8 league match where he scored a goal with Partizani who finished the league in the 3rd place qualifying for the 2002–03 UEFA Cup qualifying round. He made his UEFA competition debut appearing in the two legged game for the 2002–03 UEFA Cup qualifying round against Hapoel Tel Aviv in August 2002 where Partizani got eliminated losing both matches on aggregate 5–1. In the entire 2002–03 season Muzaka earned 20 overall appearances scoring 4 goals with team ending the season again in the 3rd place. He established himself as a starter in the 2003–04 season under coach Sulejman Mema playing 33 matches and scoring 10 goals winning his first trophy of career,