Place of birth Vlorë, Albania Number 11 Years Team | Playing position 0000–2016 Sampdoria Position Forward | |
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Date of birth (1997-07-23) 23 July 1997 (age 19) Current team A.C. Tuttocuoio 1957 San Miniato | ||
Olger Merkaj (born 23 July 1997) is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Italian club Tuttocuoio on loan from Sampdoria.
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Early career
Merkaj started his youth career at U.C. Sampdoria.
Tuttocuoio
On 26 June 2016 Merkaj was loaned to Lega Pro side A.C. Tuttocuoio 1957 San Miniato. He made it his club debut on 31 July 2016 in the 2015–16 Coppa Italia match against Casertana coming on as a substitute in the 83rd minute in place of Irakli Shekiladze.
International career
Merkaj received his first international call up at the Albania national under-17 football team by coach Džemal Mustedanagić for the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship elite round. However due to health problems he was sent to a hospital in Czech Republic and was unable to participate in the tournament. He was visited at hospital by 4 Captains of all Group 4 youth national teams participaters, Keidi Bare of Albania U17, Ryan Ledson of England U17, Filippo Romagna of Italy U17 and David Záleský of Czech Republic U17.
Following a good season with Tuttocuoio in the 2016–17 Lega Pro's first-half he received his first call-up at the Albania national under-21 football team by coach Alban Bushi for a gathering from 21–28 January 2017.