Gilman Lika

Gilman Lika

Gilman Lika (#7) with Tirana
Personal information
Full name Gilman Lika
Date of birth (1987-01-13) 13 January 1987
Place of birth Shkodër, Albania
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Tirana
Number 7
Youth career
2001–2004 Vllaznia Shkodër
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2008 Vllaznia Shkodër 79 (6)
2008–2009 Hacettepe 24 (2)
2009–2010 Boluspor 28 (3)
2010–2011 Diyarbakırspor 4 (0)
2011–2013 Tirana 61 (14)
2013-2014 Al-Faisaly 12 (3)
2014 Flamurtari Vlorë 29 (2)
2015 Vllaznia Shkodër 17 (3)
2015– Tirana 34 (3)
National team‡
2004–2005 Albania U19 3 (1)
2005–2008 Albania U21 9 (1)
2008– Albania 19 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 2 November 2016.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 6 July 2015

Gilman Lika (born 31 January 1987 in Shkodër) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays for Albanian club Tirana and the Albania national team.

Having started his career with Vllaznia Shkodër in 2004, he moved to Turkey in 2008 where he played for Hacettepe, Boluspor and Diyarbakırspor before returning to Albania to play for KF Tirana. He then had a brief stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Faisaly before returning to Albania once again to play for Flamurtari Vlorë and now Vllaznia Shkodër.

A full international for Albania since 2008, Lika has earned over 15 caps for his country. He has also represented U-19 and U-21 side.

Club career

Early career

Lika started his playing career with Vllaznia Shkodër. After years working up the ranks at the club, Lika finally made his breakthrough during the 2005–06 season at the age of just 18. He made his debut in the Albanian Superliga against Lushnja on 18 September 2005 in a 1–3 win; he came on as a substitute on the 89th minute. During that season Lika managed to play 28 games. His first goal came against Dinamo Tirana on 29 April 2006. Lika came on as a substitute in the 46th minute and his goal came in the 86th minute. During his years at Vllaznia Shkodër, Lika produced many great performances and in total he played 77 games and scored 14 goals in the Albanian Superliga.

Turkey

Along with fellow Vllaznia Shkodër players Admir Teli and Xhevahir Sukaj, he moved to the Turkish side Hacettepe Spor Kulübü on 4 August 2008. After joining the club Lika managed to make it into the starting lineup. During his time at Hacettepe, Lika played 24 matches and has scored two goals, being one of the valuable players of the team, which finished the 2008–09 season in the last position.[1]

After leaving Hacettepe Spor Kulübü, Lika signed with fellow Turkish side Boluspor in August 2009. He scored two goals in his debut match against Mersin İdmanyurdu on 23 August, helping the team to win match 2–1.[2] This was followed by another goal in the 2–1 away defeat to Çaykur Rizespor, which made him tempolary the TFF First League top goalscorer.[3]

After a year at Boluspor, Lika was transferred to Diyarbakırspor.[4]

Tirana

He returned to Albania following a two and a half year absence in January 2011, signing a two-year contract with Tirana.[5] His Tirana debut came on 31 January 2011 against Dinamo Tirana in the Tirana derby, where Lika helped his side to a 2–1 win.[6]

On 7 November 2012, in the returning leg of 2012–13 Albanian Cup's second round against Kukësi, Lika produced a Man of the Match performance by provining two assists and scoring a goal in an eventual 3–2 home win, which was not enough as Tirana was eliminated with the aggregate 6–3, losing the first leg 4–0.[7] However, after the match it was reported that Lika suffered a ankle injury in his left leg.[7]

On 7 April 2013, Lika scored an amazing free kick against Skënderbeu Korçë, which proved to be the winner as Tirana won the match 1–0 at Qemal Stafa Stadium.[8]

Vllaznia Shkodër

On 23 January 2015 he agreed terms with his first club Vllaznia Shkodër to compete a return to his hometown club following a six-year absence, signing a six-month contract.[9] He made his debut one week later, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 upset against Teuta Durrës at Niko Dovana Stadium.[10] On 8 February, Lika played for the first time in Loro Boriçi Stadium as an Vllaznia player after six years absence, starting again and playing 90 minutes in another defeat, this time against his former employer Tirana.[11] Lika scored his first goal for Vllaznia after his return, and also his first goal of 2014–15 season, in a 2–0 home win over Apolonia Fier.[12]

During February he made his Albanian Cup debut as well, playing 90 minutes in a two-legged match against FK Kukësi, who advanced to the next round with the aggregate 2–0.[13] On 18 April, during the league match against his former team Flamurtari Vlorë, Lika scored a free-kick in the 59th minute to help the team to leave the stadium with one point.[14] He scored his third goal of the season again by free-kick, this time in a 1–1 draw against Elbasani at the neutral ground Gjorgji Kyçyku Stadium.[15]

Vllaznia ended the season in the seventh place with 35 points, running out of objectives.[16] In individual aspect, Lika ended the second part of the season with Vllaznia by playing 19 matches in all competitions, including 17 in Albanian Superliga, and scored two goals. His good performances attracted the attention of capital clubs, Tirana and Partizani.[17] Lika left the club on 1 July after his contract expired, being a free agent.[18][19] During an interview, Lika said that he left Vllaznia because of "difficult situation of the club", adding that "every player in his place would do the same thing".[20]

Return to Tirana

On 6 July 2015, Lika returned to Tirana after three seasons abstence, signing a one-year contract.[21][22] Before the transfer, the media's started to speculating that Lika will not move to Tirana if the capital club will not pay more than half of the 30,000 € debt that the club had not paid during the last time that Lika was part of Tirana.[23] During his presentation in Thursday, Lika said that "Tirana is his second home after Shkodra", by adding that "with this return, he felt like he's returning home".[24][25]

International career

Lika had played for Albania under-21 since making his debut on 11 October 2005 in a match against Turkey. The match ended in a draw and although Lika started on his debut, he was subbed off in the 55th minute. He has nine appearances for under-21 side since from 2005 to 2008. Lika has also played for Albania U-19, although he only played 4 games during 23 October 2005 and 27 October 2005.

Lika made his senior international debut in a friendly against Azerbaijan on 19 November 2008 following a call up by Arie Haan. He was a 73rd-minute substitute for Klodian Duro in the 1-1 draw.[26] His first competitive cap came just a few months later against Malta where he started the game on the left of the five man midfield and helped his side to a goal less draw.[27]

Career statistics

Club

As of 2 November 2016[28][29][30][31]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Vllaznia Shkodër 2004–05 Albanian Superliga 3000——30
2005–06 28100——281
2006–07 32200——322
2007–08 39311——304
2008–09 00003[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 2]0304
Total 10261130101077
Hacettepe 2008–09 Süper Lig 24210——252
Total 24210——252
Boluspor 2009–10 TFF First League 28310——293
Total 28310——293
Diyarbakırspor 2010–11 TFF First League 4000——40
Total 4000——40
Tirana 2010–11 Albanian Superliga 13140——171
2011–12 224002[lower-alpha 1]11[lower-alpha 2]0255
2012–13 269324[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 2]03411
Total 61147260201077
Skënderbeu Korçë 2013–14 Albanian Superliga ——2[lower-alpha 3]00020
Total ——200020
Al-Faisaly 2013–14 Saudi Professional League 12110——131
Total 12110——131
Flamurtari Vlorë 2013–14 Albanian Superliga 16250——212
2014–15 130004[lower-alpha 1]11[lower-alpha 2]0181
Total 292504110393
Vllaznia Shkodër 2014–15 Albanian Superliga 17320——193
Total 17320——193
Tirana 2015–16 Albanian Superliga 33251——383
2016–17 1021——31
Total 34272——414
Career total 318362541524026242
  1. 1 2 3 4 All appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  2. 1 2 3 4 Appearance in Albanian Supercup
  3. ↑ All appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League

International

As of 21 October 2014[32]
Albania national team
YearAppsGoals
200810
200970
201050
201140
201210
201310
201400
Total190

Honours

Club

Vllaznia Shkodër
Tirana
Flamurtari Vlorë

Individual

Albanian Superliga Player of the Month: September 2011[33]

References

  1. ↑ "Summary - Süper Lig - Results, fixtures, tables and news". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "Boluspor vs. Mersin İdmanyurdu 2 – 1". Soccerway. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  3. ↑ "Rizesport vs. Boluspor 2 – 1". Soccerway. 30 August 2009. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  4. ↑ Sporti Shqiptar (15 August 2010). "Sporti Shqiptar" (in Albanian). Sporti Shqiptar. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  5. ↑ "Gilman Lika firmos për 2 vjet me Tiranën" (in Albanian). Gazeta Start. 19 January 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  6. ↑ "Dinamo Tirana 1–2 KF Tirana". Football Database. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
  7. 1 2 Adela Merko (8 November 2012). "Tirana jashtë kupës, tre gola në kthim s'mjaftojnë për ta përmbysur Kukësin" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  8. ↑ Adela Merko; Leonard Karaj (6 April 2013). "Tirana thyen Skënderbeun" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  9. ↑ "Vllaznia rikthen Likën, vishet kuqeblu pas 6 vitesh, ja prapaskena me kontratën" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  10. ↑ "Rikthehet Teuta, fiton mes kontestimeve ndaj Vllaznisë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  11. ↑ "Tirana me pikë të plota nga Shkodra, Kukësi ndalet në Laç" (in Albanian). Radio Kosova Elire. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  12. ↑ "Vllaznia rikthehet tek fitorja, mposht Apoloninë 2-0" (in Albanian). Balkan Web. 22 February 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  13. ↑ "Kukësi eliminon shkodranët, mjafton barazimi, nuk ka histori në "Zeqir Ymeri"" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 18 February 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  14. ↑ "Në Shkodër s'ka fitues, "ringjallen" vlonjatët" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 19 April 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  15. ↑ "Elbasani vs. Vllaznia Shkodër 1 – 1". Soccerway. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  16. ↑ "Vllaznia e mbyll sezonin me humbje. Vit per tu harruar" (in Albanian). TV1-Channel. 23 May 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  17. ↑ "Gilman Lika: Nuk i kam thënë "jo" Tiranës e Partizanit, ja kushtet për klubin" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  18. ↑ "Gilman Lika largohet përfundimisht nga Vllaznia" (in Albanian). Star Plus. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  19. ↑ "Largohet edhe Gilman Lika" (in Albanian). TV-Channel. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  20. ↑ Eduard Ilnica (1 July 2015). "Gilman Lika: Ja arsyeja e largimit tim nga Vllaznia" (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  21. ↑ "Gilman Lika lë Vllazninë, rivishet bardheblu" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  22. ↑ "Tirana, zyrtarizohen Dushku dhe Gilman Lika" (in Albanian). MAPO. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  23. ↑ "Tirana duhet të paguajë 1.5 mln euro, nga Seferi te Pigoni…" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  24. ↑ "MUKA PREZANTON DUSHKUN DHE LIKEN" (in Albanian). KF Tirana Facebook. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  25. ↑ "Gilman Lika: Tirana shtëpia ime e dytë" (in Albanian). Gazeta Dita. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  26. ↑ "Azerbaijan 1-1 Albania". Football Database. 2008-11-19. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  27. ↑ "Malta 0-0 Albania". Football Database. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  28. ↑ "Albania - G. Lika - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  29. ↑ "Football : Gilman Lika". Football DataBase. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  30. ↑ "Gilman Lika Football Statistics". WhoScored.com. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  31. ↑ "Profile of Gilman Lika at Scoresway.com". Scoresway.com. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  32. ↑ Gilman Lika at National-Football-Teams.com
  33. ↑ "Shkodrani Gilman Lika më i miri i Shtatorit" (in Albanian). Shkodra Sport. 9 October 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2015.

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