Erjon Bogdani

Early years

Bogdani was discovered by local side Partizani Tirana at the age of just 10 in a school team competition held in Tirana, where he scored 11 goals in just four games. The young Bogdani then joined Partizani Tirana's academy, where he played through the different age groups and eventually signing his first professional contract with the club in 1994.

Partizani Tirana

Bogdani made his professional debut with Partizani Tirana in the Albanian Superliga, playing 7 games in the second half of the 1993–94 season. The following season, he scored his first goal in a campaign which saw him play 13 games and score 2 goals. The 1997–98 campaign would prove to be his most successful in Albanian football as he scored 13 goals in just 15 games before the winter break.

First time abroad - Gençlerbirliği

His performance at Partizani Tirana attracted the attention of several foreign clubs and Bogdani decided to move to Turkey at Gençlerbirliği in the Süper Lig playing for the second half of the 1997–98 season in 11 games and scoring 1 goal.

NK Zagreb

Bogdani later moved to Croatia with Josip Kuže's (also future coach of Bogdani at the Albania national team in 2009) crucial help joining the Prva HNL club NK Zagreb. In his first season with NK Zagreb, the 1998–99, he played 14 games scoring 9 goals. In the next season 1999–2000 first-half, he scored 6 goals in 12 games.

Reggina

With the first half of 1999–2000 Prva HNL season over, Bogdani was transferred to Italy at the winter break, joining Reggina in January 2000. Bogdani made his Serie A debut on 6 February 2000 against Bologna. Overall in his first season at Reggina he played 10 Serie A games and scored 1 goal. Then in the 2000–01 season Bogdani played 19 matches scoring 1 goal and Reggina were relegated in the Serie B. In the 2001–02 Serie B season, Bogdani managed to score 7 goals in 31 games helping Reggina rank in the 3rd place to win promotion in the Serie A. Bogdani played overall 11 games and scored 1 goal in the 2002–03 Serie A. In the 2003–04 season, he was loaned at Salernitana in the Serie B.

Hellas Verona

In the 2004–05 season, Bogdani was signed by Verona. Under coach Massimo Ficcadenti Bogdani played all 38 matches where he participated as a starter completing 33 full 90-minutes and was the team top-scorer in the Serie B with 17 goals scored, meanwhile was ranked 4th in the entire goalscorers classification with 3 goals behind top-scorer Gionatha Spinesi and 2 goals behind Diego Milito and Francesco Tavano. The 2004–05 season was the one with highest number of goals scored in one single season.

Siena

In summer 2005, Bogdani made his return to Italy's top-flight, but now for A.C. Siena. He made it his debut on 28 August 2005 against Cagliari playing a full 90-minutes match, which finished in the 2–1 victory. Bogdani scored his first goal on 21 September 2005 against Ascoli, in a match finished in the 1–1 draw where his goal was the first of the match, scored in the 45th minute. On 28 January 2006 Bogdani scored a hat trick of 3 goals against Palermo where the match finished in the 1–3 away victory. In the 2005–06 season he registered in total 34 league appearances where he scored in total 11 goals.

He started another season with Siena as he played in the first match against Chievo on 10 September 2006, where the match finished in the victory 1–2. He played until the end of the 2006–07 season's first-half, where he made 15 appearances and scored 2 goals.

Chievo Verona

On 11 January 2007 struggling A.C. ChievoVerona signed 29-year-old Albanian international striker Bogdani from Serie A rivals AC Siena for an undisclosed fee.

With Chievo, he made his debut on 14 January 2007 against Catania playing as a starter. He scored twice on 24 February 2007 against Torino, in the match finished in the 3–0 victory. He established himself as a starter under coach Luigi Delneri playing in the starting line up in 16 out 19 matches scoring in total 5 goals but unable to avoid relegation to Serie B.

Loan to Livorno

Bogdani remained in Serie A as he was loaned out to Livorno at the start of the 2007–08 Serie A season to replace the "Goal machine" Cristiano Lucarelli. He made his debut with Livorno on 2 September 2007 against Palermo in a match finished in the 2–4 loss, where he came in as a substitute in the 36th minute in place of Francesco Tavano. Bogdani scored two goals during the second-half season, first against Juventus on 27 January 2008 in a 1–3 loss and against Reggina on 19 March 2008 in the match finished in the 1–1 draw. At the end of the season Livorno relegated to Serie B as they were ranked in the last place of the table. Bogdani registered 28 appearances and only two goals for the entire season.

Return to Chievo

He returned to Chievo for the 2008–09 season. He had a bad season where he wasn't even included in 9 matches and played 12 matches as a starter and 9 as a substitute. He scored only 1 goal for the entire season against Lazio on 15 March 2009 in a match finished in the 0–3 victory, where Bogdani came in as a substitute following an injury of Stephen Makinwa in the 20th minute and scored the opening goal in the 27th minute.

Almost similar was also the next 2009–10 season. He participated in 32 matches playing 12 as a starter and 9 as a substitute where he scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist. On 20 September 2009 against Genoa Bogdani played as a starter and created an immediate impact in the first minutes winning a penalty in the 4th minute converted in goal by Michele Marcolini and scoring a goal himself 2 minutes later. Chievo won by 3–1. Due to a dispute with coach Domenico Di Carlo he wasn't even included in the 4 penultimate matches of the season.

Cesena

On 20 July 2010 Bogdani joined A.C. Cesena in the Serie A for the 2010–11 season, rejoining coach Massimo Ficcadenti which he was among at Hellas Verona during the 2004–05 season. He made his debut on 28 August 2010 against A.S. Roma in a 0–0 draw. He scored his first goal for Cesena against Milan, where he also assisted the second goal scored by Emanuele Giaccherini, making Cesena win 2–0 thanks to him. Bogdani was voted as the Man of the match against Milan and later also against Lecce and was selected in the Serie A, Team of the week . Bogdani scored 8 goals for Cesena in 49 appearances. He scored his first goal of 2011 on 19 January a game played in Milano against Internazionale but Cesena lost 3–2. He scored the equalizer in a 1–1 draw against Lecce in the 90+2' on 30 January 2011. On 17 April 2011 Bogdani scored against Bari to give his team the 1–0 victory making them to progress safe from relegation.

Return back to Siena

Bogdani returned to AC Siena by signing on the final day of the winter transfer window a two-year contract. He made his debut with the Tuscans 22 February 2012, in the home defeat against Catania. He scored his first goal in the league 26 February 2012 in the 4–1 win against Palermo. He scored again in the next two weeks against Cagliari and Cesena, his former team. Bogdani concluded the season with 11 appearances and 4 goals.

The following season he began by playing from the first minute in Siena-Vicenza (4–2), valid for the third round of the Italian Cup, going out to 33 'of recovery instead of Michele Paolucci. He made his debut in the league on 26 August against Torino (0–0), scored his first goal of the season on 31 October in Cagliari-Siena (4–2). Bogdani scored second goal against Sampdoria on 20 January 2013. He came in as a substitute to score in the 63tf minute the only goal of the match which gave Siena the 1–0 victory.

After his contract with Siena expired in the end of the season, Bogdani didn't moved to any club in the 2013 Summer Transfers Window. On 11 February 2014 Bogdani confirmed to have retired from football.

International career

Bogdani is currently Albania's all-time top goalscorer with 18 goals in 74 appearances. He has been part of the team for 13 years. He also holds the unique records for the most goals scored in the FIFA World Cup qualification with 8 in overall, for the most goals scored by an Albanian international as a substitute (4) and the oldest national team goalscorer at age of 35 years 10 month, 23 days. He received his first senior international call up in 1996 by coach Neptun Bajko for a friendly match in Zenica against Bosnia & Herzegovina on 24 April 1996 in the Bosnia & Herzegovina debut as a new national team. He made his international debut against Bosnia & Herzegovina at the age of 19 years and 10 days old on in a goalless draw, coming on as an 86th-minute substitute for Ardian Behari also fellow debutant. Then he became part of the Albania U21 team, where he scored on his official debut in a 1998 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification against Portugal U21 on 9 October 1996. Following his goal however, he was sent off after receiving the first red card of his career just 4 minutes after scoring his first international goal and Albania went on to lose the game 4–2. Overall he made 7 official appearances and scored 1 goal in this competition for the U-21 team.

Bogdani was called up to Albania under-21 by coach Sulejman Mema to participate in the 1997 Mediterranean Games football tournament, which began on 8 June in Southern Italy. Albania U21 were shorted in Group B among Yugoslavia U21 and Italy U21. Bogdani played as a half-time substitute for Mahir Halili against Yugoslavia U21 and scored in the 60th minute the only Albania U21's goal in a 4–1 loss. In the second fixture against Italy U21 he was an unused substitute.

1998 FIFA World Cup qualification

He was called up for the first competitive match for Albania by coach Neptun Bajko for the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Northern Ireland on 14 December 1996. He was an unused substitute for the entire match.

He played his second game two years later in a friendly match against Cyprus on 19 August 1998 where he was put in play by coach Astrit Hafizi as a 72nd minute substitute for fellow national striker Igli Tare.

UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying

He was called up by coach Astrit Hafizi for the UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying Group 2 opening match against Georgia on 5 September 1998. He was an unused substitute for the entire match. He was an unused substitute in another two games, but managed to play in all next 6 matches, including 1 as a starter against Slovenia on 9 June 1999 completing the 4 attack line among Altin Rraklli, Alban Bushi, Igli Tare, 5 as a substitute for fellow strikers Altin Rraklli, Igli Tare and in 2 occasions as a second-half substitute for the defenders when coach Astrit Hafizi intended to make an all-attack game.

He scored his first goal for Albania three years later in his third match on 10 February 1999 against fyrom in a clear 2–0 victory.

2002 FIFA World Cup qualification

In the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification Bogdani played in overall 4 occasions, 3 as a second half substitute for Igli Tare under coach Medin Zhega and 1 as a starter in the closing game against England under a new coach Sulejman Demollari.

On 15 November 2000 Bogdani played as a 55th minute substitute replacing Alban Bushi in a friendly match against Malta and managed to score twice in the 70th & 90th minutes as the match finished in the 3–0 win for Albania.

UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying

Due to an hard injury during his time at Reggina Bogdani missed out almost the entire UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying as he participated in only one game on 7 June 2003 against Republic of Ireland where he was an unused substitute under coach Hans-Peter Briegel.

2006 FIFA World Cup qualification

Following an over 1.5 years absence, Bogdani returned to the national team for the 5th 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification game against Ukraine on 9 February 2005 in which he played under coach Hans-Peter Briegel as a 65th minute substitute for Igli Tare. It was his only match of qualification campaign that he played as a substitute as later Bogdani won competition with Alban Bushi to play as a starter among Igli Tare mostly. Overall he played 7 matches as a starter completing 4 full 90-minutes matches and scoring also 3 goals. Bogdani scored the only Albania's goal on 8 June 2005 in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Denmark which finished in the 3–1 loss. He scored also in the next match on 3 September 2005 against Kazakhstan in the 56th minute, just 2 minutes after the opening goal scored by fellow striker Florian Myrtaj and Albania took a 2–1 home win. He scored again for the third consecutive qualifiers match and this time a brace against Ukraine on 8 October 2005 to give Albania an away 2–2 draw. Interestingly fact that Bogdani scored in the 75th minute for the 1–1 equalizer and in the 83rd minute to give Albania temporary advantage, which was equalised by Ukraine 3 minutes later.

UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying

In the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Bogdani retained his starting place under coach Otto Barić playing overall 11 matches as a starter including 6 full 90-minutes and scoring 1 goal. In his first 3 games Bogdani formed duo striker partnership with Igli Tare and then following Tare's departure his new partner became Edmond Kapllani with whom Bogdani played 4 matches. Bogdani played as a solo striker in two occasions. He scored his only goal of the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying on 17 November 2007 in the penultimate game against Belarus in 2–4 loss, where Bogdani scored in the 43rd minute for the 1–1 equalizer.

2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

In the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification Bogdani was the most used striker under coach Arie Haan which used to play mostly with a solo striker. Overall Bogdani played 7 matches as a starter and scored 3 goals. In the opening match against Sweden on 6 September 2008, Bogdani was an unused substitute as coach Arie Haan preferred Hamdi Salihi as a starter and Besart Berisha as a second-half substitute. But then 4 days later Bogdani won the starting place as a solo striker and opened the score in the 45+1' minute in Albania's way 3–0 victory over Malta. On 6 June 2009 Bogdani scored for the 1–1 equalizer against Portugal after a cross in area by Ervin Skela in the 29th minute, but Portugal scored in stoppage time to take the 1–2 victory. On 9 September 2009 Bogdani netted a goal against Denmark for the 1–1 equalizer in the 51st minute after a pass in area by Hamdi Salihi and his goal gave Albania 1 point.

Bogdani scored his 11th international goal on 12 August 2009 against Cyprus in a friendly match won 6–1 by Albania.

UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying

In the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying was an undisputed starter among Hamdi Salihi forming a strong duo partnership under coach Josip Kuže playing in 7 matches among and scoring 5 out 7 Albania's goals, 2 by Bogdani and 3 by Salihi. Bogdani assisted one of Salihi's goals on 26 March 2011 against Belarus, a goal which was enough to take a 1–0 victory. Bogdani scored his first goal of campaign on 2 September 2011 against France in the start of the second-half to sign the 1–2 result. Then 4 days later on 6 September 2011, he scored his 15th international goal during the 2–1 away loss against Luxembourg and with this goal Bogdani broke the record of Alban Bushi to become the all-time top goalscorer of Albania. In post-match Bogdani declared that he will consider a retirement from national team but reverted his consideration following a conversation with the Albanian Football Association president Armand Duka declaring that he will stay for another qualification campaign if Albania national team needs him and of course if he would be in a good running form.

Bogdani scored his 13th international goal on 10 August 2011 against Montenegro in a friendly match won 3–2 by Albania, where Bogdani scored the opening goal in the 32th minute.

Bogdani scored his 16th goal on 22 May 2012 under a new coach Gianni De Biasi against Qatar in a friendly match 2–1 win.

2014 FIFA World Cup qualification

For the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, new coach Gianni De Biasi had introduced young forwards into the senior national team to create more competition for places in the team. Young forwards such as Edgar Çani, Armando Sadiku and Bekim Balaj provided competition for the established and mature internationals which were Bogdani and Hamdi Salihi. Overall Bogdani featured in 5 out 6 first qualification matches and seem to have lost his starting place playing a single game as a starter and 3 others as a substitute. Bogdani was considered a third choice behind most used duo Salihi and Çani. In the opening group game of the qualifiers, Albania took on Cyprus at the Qemal Stafa Stadium in Tirana, and with De Biasi opting to start with Sadiku and Salihi upfront, Bogdani started the game from the bench. With the scores at 1–1 Bogdani came on in the 72nd minute to replace Emiljano Vila and join the two forwards upfront among Edgar Çani which also came off the bench and he puted Albania ahead in the 84th minute. Bodgani then fired a 30-yard strike into the net in the 87th minute to secure a 3–1 win, a goal which many considered to be the best international goal of his career. Then in the second game 4 days later against Switzerland Bogdani played as a solo striker in a 2–0 loss where he was substituted off in the 55th minute for Çani. In 2 other games Bogdani played as a second-half substitute for Çani.

Bogdani scored his 18th and last ever international goal on 6 February 2013 against Georgia in a friendly match finished in the 2–1 loss. In his last played match on 26 March 2013 against Lithuania, Bogdani was team's Captain taking Albania to a 4–1 victory.

On 11 February 2014 Bogdani confirmed to have retired from the played football.

Albania national team

Principally Bogdani started working as youth talents Scouter at Albania national football team, where he was named on 12 August 2014 by FSHF.

On 29 August 2015, he was named as the Albania national team assistant manager by the national head coach Gianni De Biasi for replacing the departed Altin Lala.

Albania under-19

Following naming of Paolo Tramezzani fellow assistant manager of De Biasi at Albania national team as a National teams director, on 9 December 2016 Bogdani was named as the Albania national under-19 football team manager.

In February 2017 he had his first gathering with Albania U19 where he participated in the Roma Caput Mundi Tournament developed from 27 February–3 March 2017. He won its first ever tournament which he participated, beating Romania U19 2–0 in the Final. Prior the Final he did won the opening match against Malta U19 2–1, winning then by 2–0 against England national under-19 team of high-schools and beating Italy national under-19 team of Diletanti 4–2 by Penalty shoot-out. During this tournament, did caught attention a young talent Sadik Cela of PAOK under-20 who scored 3 goals.

Club

International

International goals

Club

Individual