Daniel Xhafa

Daniel Xhafaj

Personal information
Full name	Daniel Xhafaj
Date of birth	(1977-03-08) 8 March 1977
Place of birth	Vlorë, Albania
Height
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Retired
Youth career
1992–1995	Flamurtari Vlorë
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1995–1999	Flamurtari Vlorë	70	(17)
2000–2003	Dinamo Tirana	63	(23)
2000	→ Bylis Ballsh (loan)	12	(8)
2003–2004	Flamurtari Vlorë	20	(4)
2003–2005	Teuta Durrës	58	(42)
2005–2006	Neuchâtel Xamax	21	(3)
2005–2006	KF Elbasani	2	(0)
2006–2007	Teuta Durrës	31	(20)
2007–2009	KF Tirana	61	(18)
2009–2010	Besa Kavajë	32	(18)
2010–2011	Flamurtari Vlorë	31	(19)
2011–2012	Skënderbeu Korçë	24	(11)
2012–2014	Teuta Durrës	23	(10)
2015	Dinamo Tirana	3	(0)
International career‡
2007	Albania	2	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 July 2015 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 July 2015

Daniel Xhafaj (born 8 March 1977) is an Albanian football player who played as a striker and who is known for his goalscoring ability.

Career

Besa

Xhafaj signed for KS Besa Kavajë on 27 August 2009 after having played in the Champions League Qualifiers with previous club KF Tirana against Norwegian side Stabæk. Tirana's failure to qualify to the next round lead to Xhafaj considering his options, one of those came from Besa's president Nexhat Bizhdili who had great ambitions to make Besa one of Albania's top sides. Just days before finalising the deal for the striker, he had a meeting with Bizhdili to discuss a possible transfer, after he was convinced he signed on 27 August 2009 and trained with the rest of the club at their preseason training camp in Mavrovë.

Flamurtari

He was released by the Flamurtari chairman Shpëtim Gjika on 19 July 2011, along with three other main players, Sebino Plaku, Bledar Devolli and Julian Ahmataj.

Skënderbeu

Despite interest from Greek side PAS Giannina, Xhafaj signed a one year contract with Albanian champions Skënderbeu Korçë on 23 July 2011, just 4 days after being released by Flamurtari. He is believed to have signed a contract worth €70,000 for the 2011-12 season.

Teuta Durres

Xhafa returned to Teuta Durres after a 5 year absence on 2 August 2012. He left the team on 30 May 2014 at the end of the season after his contract expired and the club's directors decided not to renew his contract.

International career

Xhafa was called for the first time in national team in June 2007 by the coach Otto Barić for the qualifying match against Luxembourg in Luxembourg city. He was able to made his debut in this match, featuring in the last 13 minutes of the 3–0 win at Stade Josy Barthel.

Career statistics

Clubs

As of 18 May 2015

Club	League	Season	League		Cup		Europe		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Flamurtari Vlorë	Albanian Superliga	1995–96	1	0	?	?	—	—	1	0
		1996–97	11	0	?	?	—	—	11	0
		1997–98	22	3	?	?	—	—	22	3
		1998–99	23	10	?	?	—	—	23	10
		1999–00	7	2	2+	5	—	—	9	7
		Total	64	15	2+	5+	—	—	66	20
Bylis Ballsh	Albanian Superliga	1999–00	16	8	0	0	—	—	16	8
		Total	16	8	0	0	—	—	16	8
Dinamo Tirana	Albanian Superliga	1999–00	5	1	0	0	—	—	5	1
		2000–01	30	11	?	?	—	—	30	11
		2001–02	24	10	3+	2	—	—	27	12
		2002–03	13	2	1+	1	—	—	14	3
		Total	72	24	4+	3	—	—	76	27
Flamurtari Vlorë	Albanian Superliga	2002–03	?	4	0	0	—	—	?	4
		2003–04	30	11	?	?	—	—	30	11
		Total	72	24	4+	3	—	—	76	27
Career Total			80	23	2+	5+	0	0	82	28

International

As of 7 July 2015

Albania national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2007	2	0
Total	2	0

Honours

Club

Dinamo Tirana

• Albanian Superliga (1): 2001–02

Teuta Durres

• Albanian Cup (1): 2004–05

KF Tirana

• Albanian Superliga (1): 2008–09
• Albanian Supercup (1): 2007

Besa Kavaje

• Albanian Cup (1): 2009–10

Flamurtari Vlore

• Albanian Superliga Runner-up (1): 2010–11

Skënderbeu Korce

• Albanian Superliga (1): 2011–12

Individual

• Albanian Golden Boot (2): 2009–10, 2010–11
• Albanian Superliga Player of the Month: September 2013

External links

• Daniel Xhafa at National-Football-Teams.com