Maldini Kacurri
| 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 15 September 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 September 2024 | |||
Maldini Kacurri (born 4 October 2005) is an Albanian footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Arsenal.
Career
[edit]Kacurri 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 Christian’s.
Kacurri began his youth career with the youth academy of English side Fulham, before moving to Arsenal in 2022. He was described as "regular feature for the Gunners at Premier League 2 level" while playing for them.[2]
Kacurri first started training with their senior team during the 2022–23 season.[3] 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.[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, 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
[edit]Kacurri 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".[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b James, Josh (26 September 2024). "The stats and records around our latest debutants". Arsenal FC. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ "Who are Ayden Heaven, Maldini Kacurri and Ismeal Kabia? Arsenal wonderkids on bench vs Tottenham". yahoo.com.
- ^ "Who is Maldini Kacurri? 17-year-old spotted in Arsenal training ahead of PSV Europa League clash". football.london.
- ^ "Seven academy players sign professional contracts". Arsenal FC. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ Maldini Kacurri at Soccerway
- ^ "Emrin Maldini e mori shkaku i legjendës italiane, kush është futbollisti shqiptar që luan te Arsenali?". ligsport.net.
External links
[edit]- Maldini Kacurri at Soccerway
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