Maldini Kacurri (born 4 October 2005) is an Albanian footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Arsenal.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 4 October 2005 | ||
| Place of birth | Lewisham, London, England | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Arsenal | ||
| Number | 47 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2022 | Fulham | ||
| 2022–2024 | Arsenal | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Arsenal | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021 | Albania U17 | 2 | (0) |
| 2023– | Albania U19 | 5 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 October 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 September 2024 | |||
Career
editKacurri was born on 4 October 2005 in Lewisham, London,[1] and was named after former AC Milan and Italy captain Paolo Maldini. His family emigrated to the UK from Albania. His family are from the city of Lezhë. He is a brother to his older sister and younger brother and is also an uncle to his niece. He and his family are Catholic Christians.[citation needed]
Kacurri began his youth career with the youth academy of English side Fulham, before moving to Arsenal in 2022.[2] He was described as "regular feature for the Gunners at Premier League 2 level" while playing for them.[3]
Kacurri first started training with their senior team during the 2022–23 season.[2] He signed his first professional contract with the club on 4 July 2024.[4] Kacurri made his first senior matchday squad during a 1–0 win over rivals Tottenham on 15 September.[3][5] On 25 September, he made his senior debut as a substitute for Riccardo Calafiori in a 5–1 win over Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup,[6][7] becoming the first Albanian national to represent Arsenal's first team.[1]
An Albanian youth international, Kacurri made two appearances for the Albania national under-17 team before joining the Albania national under-19 team in 2023.
Style of play
editKacurri mainly operates as a defender. He specifically operates as a center-back. He has been described as an "unstoppable defender, combative and with a tall stature that significantly distinguishes him from his peers".[citation needed]
Career statistics
editClub
edit- As of match played 8 October 2024
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Arsenal U21 | 2022–23[8] | — | — | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 2024–25[9] | — | — | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||
| Arsenal | 2024–25[9] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| Career total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
References
edit- ^ a b James, Josh (26 September 2024). "The stats and records around our latest debutants". Arsenal FC. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ a b Pangratiou, Lewis (20 October 2022). "Who is Maldini Kacurri? 17-year-old spotted in Arsenal training ahead of PSV Europa League clash". football.london. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ a b Wood, Liam (15 September 2024). "Who are Ayden Heaven, Maldini Kacurri and Ismeal Kabia? Arsenal wonderkids on bench vs Tottenham". football.london. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Seven academy players sign professional contracts". Arsenal FC. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ "Spurs v Arsenal, 2024/25 | Premier League". Premier League. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ Wright, Stephen (25 September 2024). "Report: Arsenal 5–1 Bolton Wanderers". Arsenal FC. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Arsenal vs Bolton Wanderers". English Football League. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Maldini Kacurri in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Games played by Maldini Kacurri in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
External links
edit- Maldini Kacurri at Premier League
- Maldini Kacurri – UEFA competition record (archive)
- Maldini Kacurri at Soccerway
- Maldini Kacurri at WorldFootball.net