Ervis Kaja

Ervis Kaja
Personal information
Date of birth (1987-07-29) 29 July 1987 (age 36)
Place of birth Përmet, Albania
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 ATSV Erlangen
Number 4
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2009 Besa 10 (0)
2009–2011 Laçi 62 (5)
2011–2012 Tomori 11 (0)
2012 Dinamo Tirana 10 (0)
2012–2013 Besa 21 (1)
2013–2014 Tirana 13 (0)
2014–2016 Apolonia 53 (4)
2016–2017 Korabi 30 (2)
2017 Besa 8 (1)
2018 Liria Prizren
2018 Drita 11 (1)
2019 Dinamo Tirana 12 (0)
2019–2020 ATSV Erlangen 10 (0)
2020–2023 TS 1899 Fürth
2023 SSV Elektra Nürnberg
2023– ATSV Erlangen 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 September 2023

Ervis Kaja (born 29 July 1987) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for German Bayernliga Nord club ATSV Erlangen.[1]

Club career

On 30 August 2013, Tirana announced the signing of Kaja on a one-year contract.[2] He commenced the season on 1 September by starting the team first match of league, a goalless home draw against Laçi.[3] Tirana struggled for results in the first part of the season, ending it in the last place only 10 points from 13 matches, 7 points away from the safe zone.[4][5] Kaja lost his place in the starting lineup in the second part of the season as Tirana witnessed alteration, securing another season in top flight after a 2–2 draw versus Flamurtari Vlorë on 3 May 2014.[6] He left the club following the end of the season, making 15 appearances, including 13 in league.

On 7 August 2014, Kaja returned to Laçi after a three-year absence by signing for an undisclosed fee.[7] However, he left the club after only 19 days by terminating his contract for unknown reasons, becoming a free agent in the process.[8]

On 1 September 2014, Kaja completed a transfer to Apolonia Fier by signing a three-year contract.[9] In January 2015, it was rumoured that Kaja was about to leave the club but it was the player himself who denied all the rumours.[10] He explained the situation by saying that he didn't train with the team in the last days due to some school obligations in Tiranë.[10]

On 27 July 2016, Kaja joined newly promoted Albanian Superliga side Korabi Peshkopi, signing for an undisclosed fee along with eight other players.[11] He was a regular starter during the 2016–17 season, making 30 league appearances as Korabi finished last in the championship, returning in First Division after one season. He left the team following the end of the season.

On 29 August 2017, Kaja remained on top flight by joining Lushnja.[12] However, he left the club only 11 days later by terminating his contract, stating that he main reason were financial terms.[13]

On 11 September 2017, Kaja joined his first club Besa Kavajë as a free agent.[14] The transfer was made official three days later, with the player signing a one-year contract.[15] He made his first appearance in the opening matchday of 2017–18 Albanian First Division against Dinamo Tirana, helping the team to keep a clean sheet.[16] On 28 October, he received a red card in the 1–5 home defeat to Egnatia.[17] Five days later, he was banned for 2 league matches by Disciplinary Committee of AFA for dangerous play.[18] Kaja left the club in December 2017 due to club's financial and organizational issues.[19] Besa finished the first part of the season far away from their initial goal.[19]

In January 2018, Kaja left Albania and joined Football Superleague of Kosovo outfit Liria Prizren for the remainder of the 2017–18 season.[20]

On 19 August 2018, Kaja joined Drita for the 2018–19 campaign.[21] However, after 11 appearances and one goal, scored on his debut against Flamurtari Pristina on 26 August,[22] Kaja terminated his contract with the club by mutual consent with the aim of returning to Albania.[23]

At the end of August 2019, Kaja moved to Germany and joined ATSV Erlangen under charge of Kosovan manager Shqipran Skeraj.[24] On 2 February 2020 it was confirmed, that his contract had been terminated after 10 games.[25]

Style of play

Apart from playing as a centre-back, Kaja can also play as a central midfielder.[15]

Career statistics

As of 2 December 2018[26]
Club statistics
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Laçi 2009–10 Albanian Superliga 32 3 0 0 — 32 3
2010–11 30 2 2 0 2[a] 0 34 2
Total 62 5 2 0 2 0 66 5
Tomori Berat 2011–12 Albanian Superliga 11 0 0 0 — 11 0
Dinamo Tirana 2011–12 Albanian Superliga 10 0 0 0 — 10 0
Besa Kavajë 2012–13 Albanian Superliga 21 1 2 1 — 23 1
Tirana 2013–14 Albanian Superliga 13 0 2 0 — 15 0
Apolonia Fier 2014–15 Albanian Superliga 29 0 5 0 — 34 0
2015–16 Albanian First Division 24 4 2 0 — 26 4
Total 53 4 7 0 — 60 4
Korabi Peshkopi 2016–17 Albanian Superliga 30 2 2 0 — 32 2
Besa Kavajë 2017–18 Albanian First Division 8 1 0 0 — 8 1
Liria 2017–18 Football Superleague of Kosovo 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Drita 2018–19 Football Superleague of Kosovo 11 1 0 0 — 11 1
Career total 219 14 15 1 2 0 236 15
  1. ^ Appearance in UEFA Europa League

Honours

Besa Kavajë[26]

References

  1. ^ "Ervis Kaja" (in Albanian). FSHF.org. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Firmosin Çaushaj dhe Kaja, pritet Jovanoviç. Tirana angazhohet seriozisht në merkato" [Çaushaj and Kaja signs, Jovanović is expected. Tirana seriously committed on transfer market] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  3. ^ Adela Merko (2 September 2013). "Barazim ndaj Laçit, Tirana s'bind në start. Dede ka rezerva: Prisja më shumë nga ekipi" [A draw against Laçi, Tirana doesn't convince in start. Dede has reserves. I expected more from the team] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  4. ^ Leonard Karaj (12 November 2013). "Merkato e dështuar, ja kush ikën që në janar. Tifozët e Tiranës: Të ikin drejtuesit" [A failed transfer market, here's who leaves in January. Tirana fans: Let the directors go] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  5. ^ Adela Merko (22 December 2013). "Thellohet kriza, Tirana barazon me Teutën. Magani e pranon: Këto janë mundësitë tona" [Crisis deepens, Tirana draw with Teuta. Magani accepts: This are our possibilities] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  6. ^ Ermal Sika (4 May 2014). "Barazim në Vlorë, mbijeton Tirana. Magani: Tani që ia dolëm, jam i gatshëm që të rinovoj" [A draw in Vlorë, Tirana survives. Magani: Now that we make it, i'm ready to renew] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  7. ^ "Mbrojtësi Ervis Kaja rikthehet te Laçi" [Defender Ervis Kaja returns to Laçi] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  8. ^ "Mbrojtësi Ervis Kaja largohet nga Laçi" [Defender Ervis Kaja leaves Laçi] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  9. ^ "Ervis Kaja firmos me Apoloninë për 3 vite" [Ervis Kaja signs for three years with Apolonia] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Ervis Kaja qëndron tek Apolonia" [Ervis Kaja stays at Apolonia] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  11. ^ "Vazhdon puna te Korabi, vijnë nëntë firma të tjera" [The work continues at Korabi, nine other signings arrives] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  12. ^ Alban Alushi (29 August 2017). "Lushnja blindon prapavijën, Ervis Kaja: Erdha prej tifozërisë" [Lushnja armoures the back, Ervis Kaja: I came due to the fans] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  13. ^ Alban Alushi (9 September 2017). "Goditje "in-extremis" e Lushnjës, largohet Kaja dhe vjen ish-futbollisti i Tiranës" [An "in-extremis" hit of Lushnja, Kaja leaves and ex-footballer of Tirana arrives] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  14. ^ "Besa goditje "dopio", Morina e Kaja verdhezi" [Besa “double” hit, Morina and Kaja yellow&black] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  15. ^ a b "Rikthehet Ervis Kaja" [Ervis Kaja returns] (in Albanian). Sportal.al. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  16. ^ Erald Kodheli (17 September 2017). "Besa shfaqet pretendente, fiton 2-0 me Dinamon" [Besa appears a contender, wins 2-0 with Dinamo] (in Albanian). SuperSport Albania. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  17. ^ "Kategoria e Parë, Grupi A / Egnatia shpartallon Besën në Kavajë, Besëlishja mposht Vllazninë B" [First Division, Group A / Egnatia beats Besa in Kavajë, Besëlidhja minimally defeats Vllaznia B] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  18. ^ "Gjobë për Flamurtarin, dënohen Sefgjini e Kaja" [Fine for Flamurtari, Sefgjini and Kaja punished] (in Albanian). Sportal.al. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  19. ^ a b "Kaja e ka mbyllur te Besa, e ardhmja në Superiore" [Kaja has finished at Besa, the future at Superliga] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 29 December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  20. ^ "Ish-mesfushori i Besës transferohet në Kosovë, firmos për Lirinë e Shkëmbit" [Ex-Besa midfielder transferred in Kosovo, signs for Shkëmbi's Liria] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  21. ^ "Ervis Kaja i është bashkuar Dritës" [Ervis Kaja has joined Drita] (in Albanian). Telegrafi.com. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  22. ^ "Flamurtari e mposht Dritën, Prishtinës i takon derbi ndaj Trepçës '89" [Flamurtari defeats Drita, Pristina deserves the derby versus Trepça ‘89] (in Albanian). Gazeta Express. 26 August 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  23. ^ "Ervis Kaja e mbyll me Dritën, nuk i mungojnë ofertat në Shqipëri" [Ervis Kaja finishes with Drita, he isn't missing offers from Albania] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  24. ^ Last-Minute-Kracher für den ATSV: Ein Ex-Profi kommt, fupa.net, 28 August 2019
  25. ^ ATSV Erlangen: Fürsattel kommt, Kaja geht, Markert bleibt - vorerst, nordbayern.de, 2 February 2020
  26. ^ a b Ervis Kaja at Soccerway. Retrieved 29 December 2017.

External links