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| image = Shefki Kuqi (2463777936).jpg
| image = Shefki Kuqi (2463777936).jpg
| caption = Kuqi warming up for [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] in 2008
| caption = Kuqi warming up for [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] in 2008
| fullname = Shefki Kuqi
| fullname = <!-- If different-->
| height = 1.88 m<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.career-history.html/shefki-kuqi|title = Premier League Player Profile|access-date =19 October 2013|publisher=Premier League}}</ref>
| height = 1.88 m<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.career-history.html/shefki-kuqi|title = Premier League Player Profile|access-date =19 October 2013|publisher=Premier League}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1976|11|10}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1976|11|10}}
| birth_place = [[Vushtrri]], [[Socialist Republic of Serbia|SR Serbia]], [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|SFR Yugoslavia]]
| birth_place = [[Vučitrn]], [[SFR Yugoslavia]]
| position = [[Striker (association football)|Striker]]
| position = [[Striker (association football)|Striker]]
| currentclub =
| currentclub =
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| nationalgoals1 = 8
| nationalgoals1 = 8
| manageryears1 = 2014
| manageryears1 = 2014
| managerclubs1 = [[FC Honka]]
| managerclubs1 = [[FC Honka|Honka]]
| manageryears2 = 2015–2016
| manageryears2 = 2015–2016
| managerclubs2 = [[PK-35 Vantaa (men)|PK-35 Vantaa]]
| managerclubs2 = [[PK-35 Vantaa (men)|PK-35 Vantaa]]
| manageryears3 = 2016–2017
| manageryears3 = 2016–2017
| managerclubs3 = [[FC Inter Turku]]
| managerclubs3 = [[FC Inter Turku|Inter Turku]]
| manageryears4 = 2024
| managerclubs4 = [[FC Feronikeli 74|Feronikeli]]
}}
}}


'''Shefki Kuqi'''{{ref label|names|a|}} (pronounced {{IPA-sq|ˈʃɛfki ˈkuci|}}; born 10 November 1976) is a Finnish former professional [[association football|footballer]] of [[Albanians|Albanian]] descent who played predominantly as a [[striker (association football)|striker]].
'''Shefki Kuqi'''{{ref label|names|a|}} (pronounced {{IPA-sq|ˈʃɛfki ˈkuci|}}; born 10 November 1976) is a professional [[Manager (association football)|football manager]] and former [[Association football|player]] who played predominantly as a [[Striker (association football)|striker]]. He was most recently the manager of [[Football Superleague of Kosovo]] club [[FC Feronikeli 74|Feronikeli]].


He spent most of his career in the [[English football league system]], for clubs including [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]], [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]], [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] and [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]]. He made over 500 career league appearances, scoring over 150 goals.
He spent most of his career in the [[English football league system]], for clubs including [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]], [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]], [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] and [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]]. He made over 500 career league appearances, scoring over 150 goals.


Kuqi also represented the [[Finland national football team]] at international level, with eight goals from 62 appearances. His trademark goal celebration of swallow-diving onto the ground has led to his nickname of the "Flying Finn".
Despite being born in Yugoslavia to Kosovan Albanian parents, Kuqi grew up in Finland and holds [[Finnish nationality law|Finnish citizenship]] which allowed him to represent the [[Finland national football team|Finland national team]] at international level, for which he scored eight goals in 62 appearances between 1999 and 2010. His trademark goal celebration of swallow-diving onto the ground has led to his nickname of the "Flying Finn".


==Early life==
==Early life==
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==Club career==
==Club career==
Kuqi started his playing career with Kangasniemen Palloseura. He later played for Mikkelin Kissat, [[Mikkelin Palloilijat]], [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi|HJK]] and [[FC Jokerit]] in Finland's [[Veikkausliiga]]. Kuqi played in the [[UEFA Champions League]] in the autumn of 1998 with HJK. Kuqi was the league top scorer in the 2000 season, representing FC Jokerit. Having played for three clubs in Finland's [[Veikkausliiga]], Kuqi became more well known, leading to his transfer to [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]].
Kuqi started his playing career with Kangasniemen Palloseura. He later played for Mikkelin Kissat, [[Mikkelin Palloilijat]], [[Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi|HJK]] and [[FC Jokerit]] in Finland's [[Veikkausliiga]]. Kuqi played in the [[UEFA Champions League]] in the autumn of 1998 with HJK. Kuqi was the league top scorer in the 2000 season, representing FC Jokerit. Having played for three clubs in Finland's Veikkausliiga, Kuqi became more well known, leading to his transfer to [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]].


===Stockport County===
===Stockport County===
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===Sheffield Wednesday===
===Sheffield Wednesday===
Kuqi joined [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] for an undisclosed sum and signed a three-year deal<ref>{{cite news|title=Kuqi completes Owls switch|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11703/2228161/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=11 January 2002|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref> Kuqi made his debut for the club in a 1–0 win over [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe]] on 12 January 2002. At [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] he scored 19 times between January 2002 and September 2003, unfortunately with Wednesday being relegated to [[Football League Division Two|Division Two]] (or League One as it is now known) during his time at Hillsborough. Many Wednesday fans were bemused though at then manager Chris Turner's decision to let Kuqi leave for Ipswich for free after a strained relationship between the two.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kuqi in Turner talks|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11703/2259278/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=4 March 2003|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref> Whilst in Sheffield, Kuqi also scored a goal against [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] in [[Steel City derby|The Steel City Derby]]. He scored the second goal in the 81st minute at [[Hillsborough Stadium|Hillsborough]] to ensure a win after [[Lloyd Owusu]] had opened the scoring with his very first touch of the ball on his debut.<ref>{{cite news|title=Owls steal win against blunt Blades|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11683/2244101/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=1 September 2002|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref>
Kuqi joined [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] and signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed sum, rumoured to be €1.5 million<ref>{{cite news|title=Kuqi completes Owls switch|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11703/2228161/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=11 January 2002|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref> Kuqi made his debut for the club in a 1–0 win over [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe]] on 12 January 2002. At [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] he scored 19 times between January 2002 and September 2003, unfortunately with Wednesday being relegated to [[Football League Division Two|Division Two]] (or League One as it is now known) during his time at Hillsborough. Many Wednesday fans were bemused though at then manager Chris Turner's decision to let Kuqi leave for Ipswich for free after a strained relationship between the two.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kuqi in Turner talks|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11703/2259278/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=4 March 2003|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref> Whilst in Sheffield, Kuqi also scored a goal against [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] in [[Steel City derby|The Steel City Derby]]. He scored the second goal in the 81st minute at [[Hillsborough Stadium|Hillsborough]] to ensure a win after [[Lloyd Owusu]] had opened the scoring with his very first touch of the ball on his debut.<ref>{{cite news|title=Owls steal win against blunt Blades|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11683/2244101/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=1 September 2002|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref>


===Ipswich Town===
===Ipswich Town===
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In March 2008, Kuqi returned to Ipswich on loan until the end of the season<ref>{{cite news|title=Town return for Kuqi|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/3300697/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=15 March 2008|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref> to fill in for the injured [[Jonathan Walters]] but failed to reproduce his form at Ipswich Town. He began the 2008–09 campaign with his first team prospects seemingly irretrievable but Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock named (and used) him as a substitute for the away draw at Ipswich Town and home victory over [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton]] in September and on 4 October he scored the second goal of Palace's 2–0 victory at [[Nottingham Forest]]. Kuqi's return to the first team completed a remarkable sequence of events, and he ended his season as the top scorer of his team. Kuqi was offered a new contract on 27 January 2009 which he rejected.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kuqi rejects Palace offer|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/4865040/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=28 January 2009|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref> By the end of the season, Kuqi was offered a new contract again along with 5 other players<ref>{{cite news|title=Palace offer Kuqi new deal|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/5288834/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=8 May 2009|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref> but a few months later, Warnock said he was expecting Kuqi to leave.<ref>{{cite news|title=Warnock expects Kuqi exit|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/5372251/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=10 June 2009|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref>
In March 2008, Kuqi returned to Ipswich on loan until the end of the season<ref>{{cite news|title=Town return for Kuqi|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/3300697/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=15 March 2008|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref> to fill in for the injured [[Jonathan Walters]] but failed to reproduce his form at Ipswich Town. He began the 2008–09 campaign with his first team prospects seemingly irretrievable but Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock named (and used) him as a substitute for the away draw at Ipswich Town and home victory over [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton]] in September and on 4 October he scored the second goal of Palace's 2–0 victory at [[Nottingham Forest]]. Kuqi's return to the first team completed a remarkable sequence of events, and he ended his season as the top scorer of his team. Kuqi was offered a new contract on 27 January 2009 which he rejected.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kuqi rejects Palace offer|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/4865040/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=28 January 2009|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref> By the end of the season, Kuqi was offered a new contract again along with 5 other players<ref>{{cite news|title=Palace offer Kuqi new deal|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/5288834/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=8 May 2009|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref> but a few months later, Warnock said he was expecting Kuqi to leave.<ref>{{cite news|title=Warnock expects Kuqi exit|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/5372251/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=10 June 2009|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref>


===Koblenz===
===TuS Koblenz===
After Kuqi's contract ran out at Crystal Palace on 1 July 2009, he signed a two years deal with [[TuS Koblenz]] which was his first non-England club since 2001, and the first German club in his career. He also spent half a season playing with his brother, [[Njazi Kuqi]].
After Kuqi's contract ran out at Crystal Palace on 1 July 2009, he signed a two years deal with [[TuS Koblenz]] which was his first non-England club since 2001, and the first German club in his career. He also spent half a season playing with his brother, [[Njazi Kuqi]].


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==International career==
==International career==
Kuqi made his debut for the [[Finland national football team|Finnish national team]] on 18 August 1999 against [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]], soon after receiving Finnish citizenship. He was a regular member of the Finland squad from 1999 to 2010. Kuqi made 62 appearances for Finland and scored eight goals. He announced his retirement from international football on 24 November 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.veikkausliiga.com/News.aspx?id=41575 | title = Shefki Kuqi's international retirement at Finnish FA | language = fi | publisher = veikkausliiga.com | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131020162823/http://www.veikkausliiga.com/News.aspx?id=41575 | archive-date = 20 October 2013 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
Kuqi made his debut for the [[Finland national football team|Finland national team]] on 18 August 1999 against [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]], soon after receiving Finnish citizenship. He was a regular member of the Finland squad from 1999 to 2010. Kuqi made 62 appearances for Finland and scored eight goals. He announced his retirement from international football on 24 November 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.veikkausliiga.com/News.aspx?id=41575 | title = Shefki Kuqi's international retirement at Finnish FA | language = fi | publisher = veikkausliiga.com | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131020162823/http://www.veikkausliiga.com/News.aspx?id=41575 | archive-date = 20 October 2013 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

==Coaching career==
After his playing career, Kuqi was a manager of [[FC Honka|Honka]], [[PK-35 Vantaa (men)|PK-35 Vantaa]] and [[FC Inter Turku|Inter Turku]] in [[Finland]]. On 8 January 2024, he was appointed as the head coach of Kosovar club [[FC Feronikeli 74|Feronikeli]].<ref>[https://www.gazetaexpress.com/shefki-kuqi-prezantohet-si-trajner-i-feronikelit-74/ Shefki Kuqi prezantohet si trajner i Feronikelit 74], gazetaexpress.com</ref>


==Goal celebration==
==Goal celebration==
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|[[1997 Veikkausliiga|1997]]
|[[1997 Veikkausliiga|1997]]
|Veikkausliiga
|Veikkausliiga
|25||6||-||-||-||-||-||-||25||6
|25||6||-||-||-||-||1{{efn|Includes [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]|name=ucwc}}||0||26||6
|-
|-
|[[1998 Veikkausliiga|1998]]
|[[1998 Veikkausliiga|1998]]
|Veikkausliiga
|Veikkausliiga
|22||1||-||-||-||-||-||-||22||1
|22||1||-||-||-||-||10{{efn|Includes [[UEFA Champions League]]|name=ucl}}||1||32||1
|-
|-
|[[1999 Veikkausliiga|1999]]
|[[1999 Veikkausliiga|1999]]
|Veikkausliiga
|Veikkausliiga
|25||11||-||-||-||-||-||-||25||11
|25||11||-||-||-||-||4{{efn|Includes [[UEFA Cup]]|name=uc}}||0||29||11
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!colspan="2"|Total
!72!!18!!-!!-!!-!!-!!-!!-!!72!!18
!72!!18!!-!!-!!-!!-!!15!!1!!87!!19
|-
|-
|[[FC Jokerit]]
|[[FC Jokerit]]
|[[2000 Veikkausliiga|2000]]
|[[2000 Veikkausliiga|2000]]
|Veikkausliiga
|Veikkausliiga
|33||19||-||-||-||-||-||-||33||19
|33||19||-||-||-||-||2{{efn|name=uc}}||0||35||19
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]]
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|-
|-
!colspan="3"|Career totals
!colspan="3"|Career totals
!569!!156!!18!!5!!17!!4!!9!!5!!613!!170
!569!!156!!18!!5!!17!!4!!26!!6!!630!!171
|}
|}


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===Managerial statistics===
===Managerial statistics===
{{updated|match played on 29 July 2017}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Soccerway profile|url=https://int.soccerway.com/coaches/shefki-kuqi/2702/|website=Soccerway|access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref>
{{updated|match played on 26 May 2024}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Soccerway profile|url=https://int.soccerway.com/coaches/shefki-kuqi/2702/|website=Soccerway|access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
|-
|-
!rowspan="2" width="120"|Team
!rowspan="2" width="120"|Team
!rowspan="2" width="40"|Nat
!rowspan="2" width="120"|From
!rowspan="2" width="120"|From
!rowspan="2" width="120"|To
!rowspan="2" width="120"|To
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!width=40|Win %
!width=40|Win %
|-
|-
!scope="row"|[[FC Honka]]
!scope="row"|[[FC Honka|Honka]]
||{{flagicon|Finland}}
|align=left|15 February 2014
|align=left|15 February 2014
|align=left|9 January 2015
|align=left|9 January 2015
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|-
|-
!scope="row"|[[PK-35 Vantaa (men)|PK-35 Vantaa]]
!scope="row"|[[PK-35 Vantaa (men)|PK-35 Vantaa]]
||{{flagicon|Finland}}
|align=left|9 January 2015
|align=left|9 January 2015
|align=left|28 July 2016
|align=left|28 July 2016
{{WDL|61|27|12|22}}
{{WDL|61|27|12|22}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"|[[FC Inter Turku]]
!scope="row"|[[FC Inter Turku|Inter Turku]]
||{{flagicon|Finland}}
|align=left|3 August 2016
|align=left|3 August 2016
|align=left|3 August 2017
|align=left|3 August 2017
{{WDL|42|14|15|13}}
{{WDL|42|14|15|13}}
|-
!scope="row"|[[FC Feronikeli 74|Feronikeli]]
||{{flagicon|Kosovo}}
|align=left|8 January 2024
|align=left|26 August 2024
{{WDL|22|6|5|11}}
|-
|-class="sortbottom"
|-class="sortbottom"
!colspan="3"|Total
!colspan="4"|Total
{{WDLtot|142|49|41|52}}
{{WDLtot|164|55|46|63}}
|}
|}


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* {{ESPN FC|5193<!-- /shefki-kuqi -->}}
* {{ESPN FC|5193<!-- /shefki-kuqi -->}}


{{KF Feronikeli squad}}
{{Navboxes
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|title=Awards
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{{Ipswich Town F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Ipswich Town F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}
}}
{{FC Honka managers}}
{{FC Inter Turku managers}}
{{FC Inter Turku managers}}
{{FC Feronikeli 74 managers}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Kuqi, Shefki}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kuqi, Shefki}}
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[[Category:Finnish people of Yugoslav descent]]
[[Category:Finnish people of Yugoslav descent]]
[[Category:Mikkelin Kissat players]]
[[Category:Mikkelin Kissat players]]
[[Category:FC Feronikeli 74 managers]]
[[Category:Finnish people of Kosovan descent]]
[[Category:Veikkausliiga managers]]
[[Category:Finnish expatriate football managers]]

Latest revision as of 17:01, 30 October 2024

Shefki Kuqi
Kuqi warming up for Ipswich Town in 2008
Personal information
Date of birth (1976-11-10) 10 November 1976 (age 48)
Place of birth Vučitrn, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
–1989 Trepca
1990–1993 KaPa-51
1994 MiKi
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1996 MP 50 (10)
1997–1999 HJK 72 (18)
2000 FC Jokerit 33 (19)
2001–2002 Stockport County 35 (11)
2002–2003 Sheffield Wednesday 64 (19)
2003 → Ipswich Town (loan) 11 (4)
2003–2005 Ipswich Town 68 (26)
2005–2006 Blackburn Rovers 34 (7)
2006–2009 Crystal Palace 78 (17)
2007–2008 → Fulham (loan) 10 (0)
2008 → Ipswich Town (loan) 4 (0)
2009–2010 TuS Koblenz 17 (7)
2010–2011 Swansea City 22 (5)
2010 → Derby County (loan) 12 (2)
2011 Newcastle United 6 (0)
2011–2012 Oldham Athletic 40 (11)
2012–2013 Hibernian 13 (0)
2016 Lohjan Pallo 1 (0)
Total 570 (156)
International career
1999–2010 Finland 62 (8)
Managerial career
2014 Honka
2015–2016 PK-35 Vantaa
2016–2017 Inter Turku
2024 Feronikeli
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Shefki Kuqi[a] (pronounced [ˈʃɛfki ˈkuci]; born 10 November 1976) is a professional football manager and former player who played predominantly as a striker. He was most recently the manager of Football Superleague of Kosovo club Feronikeli.

He spent most of his career in the English football league system, for clubs including Newcastle United, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town, Blackburn Rovers, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Swansea City and Oldham Athletic. He made over 500 career league appearances, scoring over 150 goals.

Despite being born in Yugoslavia to Kosovan Albanian parents, Kuqi grew up in Finland and holds Finnish citizenship which allowed him to represent the Finland national team at international level, for which he scored eight goals in 62 appearances between 1999 and 2010. His trademark goal celebration of swallow-diving onto the ground has led to his nickname of the "Flying Finn".

Early life

[edit]

Kuqi started his youth career at Trepça, and he played several games for the youth team, but he and his family later moved to Finland as Kosovar Albanian immigrants.[2]

Club career

[edit]

Kuqi started his playing career with Kangasniemen Palloseura. He later played for Mikkelin Kissat, Mikkelin Palloilijat, HJK and FC Jokerit in Finland's Veikkausliiga. Kuqi played in the UEFA Champions League in the autumn of 1998 with HJK. Kuqi was the league top scorer in the 2000 season, representing FC Jokerit. Having played for three clubs in Finland's Veikkausliiga, Kuqi became more well known, leading to his transfer to Stockport County.

Stockport County

[edit]

Kuqi joined Stockport County in January 2001. Kuqi made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against Tranmere Rovers on 3 February 2001. Regarded by many as the saviour of County's 2000–01 season as he impressed with his speed and strength, he went on to score six goals in eighteen games to help County retain their division one status. Kuqi is still the club's second most internationally capped player. However, under player-manager Carlton Palmer, after he succeeded Andy Kilner as manager, Kuqi was used less frequently. His good performances led him being linked with his future club Blackburn.[3] Kuqi was on the verge of joining Blackburn worth about a £1.2 million fee, but the move broke down and he accused Palmer of threatening him to be sacked for being injured[4] Palmer was responsible for pressuring Graeme Souness for Kuqi not joining the club. Kuqi still maintains his accusations towards Palmer, claiming his management is 'clueless' and feels the club made a mistake having Palmer as manager.[5] Kuqi joined Blackburn Rovers four years later.

Sheffield Wednesday

[edit]

Kuqi joined Sheffield Wednesday and signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed sum, rumoured to be €1.5 million[6] Kuqi made his debut for the club in a 1–0 win over Crewe on 12 January 2002. At Sheffield Wednesday he scored 19 times between January 2002 and September 2003, unfortunately with Wednesday being relegated to Division Two (or League One as it is now known) during his time at Hillsborough. Many Wednesday fans were bemused though at then manager Chris Turner's decision to let Kuqi leave for Ipswich for free after a strained relationship between the two.[7] Whilst in Sheffield, Kuqi also scored a goal against Sheffield United in The Steel City Derby. He scored the second goal in the 81st minute at Hillsborough to ensure a win after Lloyd Owusu had opened the scoring with his very first touch of the ball on his debut.[8]

Ipswich Town

[edit]

In September 2003, Kuqi joined Ipswich Town on loan.[9] After making 11 appearances and scoring 4 goals, Kuqi joined Ipswich Town permanently in November despite late interest from Town's rival Norwich City.[10] For the next two seasons at Ipswich Town, Kuqi became a regular in the first team and able to score goals. He scored 20 goals in the Championship for Ipswich in the 2004–05 season, which made him the club's leading top scorer, along with Darren Bent. By the end of the season with his contract at Ipswich Town coming to an end, Kuqi rejected the offer of a new contract with the club.[11]

Blackburn Rovers

[edit]

His form with Ipswich earned him a move to the Premier League with Blackburn.[12] Kuqi made his debut in a 3–1 loss against West Ham United on 13 September 2005 and scored his first goal of the Premier League and scored again in a 2–0 win over West Brom on 1 October 2005. After the match, manager Mark Hughes praised Kuqi for his two-goal performance.[13] Kuqi then scored his second brace of the season in a 2–0 win over Middlesbrough on 26 December 2005. During the season, Kuqi struggled to command a first team place and found himself on the bench.[14]

Kuqi scored seven Premier League goals for Blackburn in the 2005–06 season, but couldn't replicate his form from his time at Ipswich Town. During the following season Kuqi struggled to break into the first team and made only one appearance, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 loss against Portsmouth. Six years later, Kuqi revealed he almost joined Celtic, but the club instead opted to sign Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.[15]

Crystal Palace

[edit]

He joined Crystal Palace for a reported £2.5 million transfer fee at the end of the August transfer window in 2006.[16] On his move, Kuqi admits he was surprised by Blackburn when he was sold to Crystal Palace[17] and made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against Luton Town.

Kuqi did not have a prolific first season at Selhurst Park, scoring only seven goals in 38 games, and at the end of August 2007, he signed for Fulham on a four-month loan deal, where he made ten league appearances, scoring no goals.[18]

Kuqi was placed on the transfer list and fined two weeks wages by Neil Warnock after signalling an offensive gesture to Palace fans when they cheered as he was substituted following a particularly poor performance in the 2–0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 23 February 2008.[19][20] Other reasons behind him being transfer listed were due to his weight gain and lack of fitness and Warnock told Kuqi there will be no way back for him[21]

In March 2008, Kuqi returned to Ipswich on loan until the end of the season[22] to fill in for the injured Jonathan Walters but failed to reproduce his form at Ipswich Town. He began the 2008–09 campaign with his first team prospects seemingly irretrievable but Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock named (and used) him as a substitute for the away draw at Ipswich Town and home victory over Charlton in September and on 4 October he scored the second goal of Palace's 2–0 victory at Nottingham Forest. Kuqi's return to the first team completed a remarkable sequence of events, and he ended his season as the top scorer of his team. Kuqi was offered a new contract on 27 January 2009 which he rejected.[23] By the end of the season, Kuqi was offered a new contract again along with 5 other players[24] but a few months later, Warnock said he was expecting Kuqi to leave.[25]

TuS Koblenz

[edit]

After Kuqi's contract ran out at Crystal Palace on 1 July 2009, he signed a two years deal with TuS Koblenz which was his first non-England club since 2001, and the first German club in his career. He also spent half a season playing with his brother, Njazi Kuqi.

Swansea City

[edit]

Kuqi signed for Swansea City on a free transfer from TuS Koblenz on 25 January 2010.[26] He made his debut for the club in a 0–0 draw against Coventry City and scored his first goal for Swansea in a 1–0 win at former club Crystal Palace on 9 February 2010.[27]

Despite scoring seven goals in 16 starts, after less than nine months at Swansea, Kuqi joined fellow Championship side Derby County on a three-month emergency loan deal on 13 September 2010.[28] His first Derby goal, in his third appearance, also, came against Crystal Palace in a 5–0 Derby victory at Pride Park. After latching onto a sloppy stray backpass from former-Derby defender Claude Davis to complete the rout with a goal Kuqi joked that the strike was "the worst of the five!"[29] On 26 January 2011 Kuqi's contract with Swansea was terminated by mutual consent after he failed to break through into the first team.[30] After being released by the club, Kuqi was linked with joining Huddersfield Town[31]

Newcastle United

[edit]

On 10 February 2011, Kuqi joined Premier League side Newcastle United for the remainder of the season.[32] He was given the number 42 shirt[33] and made his debut against former club Blackburn Rovers on 12 February 2011 coming on in the 90th minute in a goalless draw.[34] On his move, Kuqi admitted he was surprised to join the club[35] but admitted that he was 'one of the happiest footballers in the world'[36]

He was released on 25 May 2011 after making six appearances, all as a substitute, without scoring.[37]

Oldham Athletic

[edit]

In August 2011, following his release by Newcastle, Kuqi signed a one-year contract with Oldham Athletic.[38] The signing was considered as something of a coup for the Latics, as Kuqi was playing in the Premier League, the previous season.[39][40] He scored early in his first game for his new club in a home game against local rivals Huddersfield Town in a 1–1 draw and celebrated with his trademark Flying Finn celebration in front of the away fans.[41] Kuqi made it two goals in two games for Oldham with a headed goal against Stevenage.[42] Kuqi scored his third for Oldham against Leyton Orient in a 3–1 victory; he scored the equalising goal and assisted the other two goals in a 3–1 victory.[43] Kuqi was on target again against the MK Dons in October 2011 taking advantage of a mistake by the MK Dons goalkeeper to help Athletic to a 2–1 victory. Kuqi added another two goals to his tally after scoring twice against Crewe Alexandra in the quarter-finals of the Football League Trophy to help Oldham progress to the semi-final of the tournament with a 3–1 victory, with Luca Scapuzzi also getting on the scoresheet.[44]

Kuqi left the club following the expiry of his contract on 1 July 2012 as the club could not afford to keep him for the 2012–13 campaign.[45]

Hibernian

[edit]

In August 2012, Kuqi signed a one-year deal with Scottish Premier League (SPL) team Hibernian, with a further option.[46] On his move, Kuqi said the passion of the fans (Hibernian) convinced him to join the club after he was in the stands to see an Edinburgh derby.[47] On 18 August 2012, Kuqi made his debut, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 win against St Mirren. Kuqi made only two starting appearances for Hibs during his season with the club and failed to score a goal in 14 total appearances.[48] He was described by BBC Sport as being one of the worst signings in the SPL that season.[48]

International career

[edit]

Kuqi made his debut for the Finland national team on 18 August 1999 against Belgium, soon after receiving Finnish citizenship. He was a regular member of the Finland squad from 1999 to 2010. Kuqi made 62 appearances for Finland and scored eight goals. He announced his retirement from international football on 24 November 2010.[49]

Coaching career

[edit]

After his playing career, Kuqi was a manager of Honka, PK-35 Vantaa and Inter Turku in Finland. On 8 January 2024, he was appointed as the head coach of Kosovar club Feronikeli.[50]

Goal celebration

[edit]

Kuqi has received some media attention – especially from Match of the Day – for his spectacular, and unusual, diving goal celebration known as a Swan Dive. Kuqi jumps forward with both arms out, in what could be described as an attempt to glide like a bird, before crashing to the ground; the movement bears some resemblance to a bellyflop and has been referred to as a "Flying Finn".[51]

Personal life

[edit]

Kuqi was born in Vushtrri, Kosovo.[2] An older brother of Kuqi was due to begin national service, which prompted his family to emigrate to Finland, where they were granted asylum.[2] He is the older brother of Njazi Kuqi and Albert Kuqi, and the cousin of Daut Kuqi. In an interview in December 2017, Kuqi revealed that he is a supporter of English club Manchester United mostly because of Alex Ferguson.[52]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
MP 1995 Veikkausliiga 24 3 0 0 - - - - 24 3
1996 Veikkausliiga 26 7 0 0 - - - - 26 7
Total 50 10 0 0 - - - - 50 10
HJK 1997 Veikkausliiga 25 6 - - - - 1[a] 0 26 6
1998 Veikkausliiga 22 1 - - - - 10[b] 1 32 1
1999 Veikkausliiga 25 11 - - - - 4[c] 0 29 11
Total 72 18 - - - - 15 1 87 19
FC Jokerit 2000 Veikkausliiga 33 19 - - - - 2[c] 0 35 19
Stockport County 2000–01[53] First Division 17 6 1 0 0 0 - - 18 6
2001–02[54] First Division 18 5 0 0 2 1 - - 20 6
Total 35 11 1 0 2 1 - - 38 12
Sheffield Wednesday 2001–02[54] First Division 17 6 0 0 0 0 - - 17 6
2002–03[55] First Division 40 8 1 0 2 0 - - 43 8
2003–04[56] Second Division 7 5 0 0 1 0 - - 8 5
Total 64 19 1 0 3 0 - - 68 19
Ipswich Town 2003–04[56] First Division 36 11 2 1 0 0 2[d] 0 40 12
2004–05[57] Championship 43 19 1 0 2 0 2[e] 1 48 20
Total 79 30 3 1 2 0 4 1 88 32
Blackburn Rovers 2005–06[58] Premier League 33 7 2 0 6 1 - - 41 8
2006–07[59] Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 - - 1 0
Total 34 7 2 0 6 1 - - 42 8
Crystal Palace 2006–07[59] Championship 35 7 2 1 0 0 - - 37 8
2007–08[60] Championship 8 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 9 0
2008–09[61] Championship 35 10 2 0 0 0 - - 37 10
Total 78 17 4 1 1 0 0 0 83 18
Fulham (loan) 2007–08[60] Premier League 10 0 0 0 0 0 - - 10 0
Ipswich Town (loan) 2007–08[60] Championship 4 0 0 0 0 0 - - 4 0
TuS Koblenz 2009–10 2. Bundesliga 17 7 3 2 - - - - 20 9
Swansea City 2009–10[62] Championship 20 5 0 0 0 0 - - 20 5
2010–11[63] Championship 2 0 0 0 2 2 - - 4 2
Total 22 5 0 0 2 2 - - 24 7
Derby County (loan) 2010–11[63] Championship 12 2 0 0 0 0 - - 12 2
Newcastle United 2010–11[63] Premier League 6 0 0 0 0 0 - - 6 0
Oldham Athletic 2011–12[64] League One 40 11 4 1 0 0 5[f] 4 49 16
Hibernian 2012–13[65] Scottish Premier League 13 0 0 0 1 0 - - 14 0
Career totals 569 156 18 5 17 4 26 6 630 171
  1. ^ Includes UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
  2. ^ Includes UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ a b Includes UEFA Cup
  4. ^ Appearances in First Division play-offs
  5. ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs
  6. ^ Appearances in Football League Trophy

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[66]
National team Year Apps Goals
Finland 1999 2 0
2000 11 2
2001 7 1
2002 7 1
2003 6 0
2004 4 2
2005 5 0
2006 5 0
2007 5 1
2008 0 0
2009 8 1
2010 2 0
Total 62 8
Scores and results list Finland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kuqi goal.[67]
List of international goals scored by Shefki Kuqi
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 23 February 2000 Suphachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand  Estonia 4–0 4–2 2000 Kings' Cup
2 16 August 2000 Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway  Norway 3–1 3–1 Friendly
3 1 September 2001 Qemal Stafa, Tirana, Albania  Albania 2–0 2–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 22 May 2002 Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland  Latvia 2–1 2–1 Friendly
5 9 October 2004 Ratina Stadion, Tampere, Finland  Armenia 1–0 3–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
6 3–1
7 17 November 2007 Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland  Azerbaijan 2–1 2–1 UEFA Euro 2008 qualification
8 28 March 2009 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  Wales 2–0 2–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Managerial statistics

[edit]
As of match played on 26 May 2024[68]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record
G W D L Win %
Honka Finland 15 February 2014 9 January 2015 39 8 14 17 020.51
PK-35 Vantaa Finland 9 January 2015 28 July 2016 61 27 12 22 044.26
Inter Turku Finland 3 August 2016 3 August 2017 42 14 15 13 033.33
Feronikeli Kosovo 8 January 2024 26 August 2024 22 6 5 11 027.27
Total 164 55 46 63 033.54

Honours

[edit]

HJK Helsinki

Individual

Notes

[edit]
a.   ^ The Serbo-Croat spelling of the name is Šefki Kući.

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ a b c Wilson, Jonathan (20 February 2011). "Kuqi: I was terrified of making a sound". The Observer. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  3. ^ "ROVERS KEEN ON KUQI". Sky Sports. 5 November 2001. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  4. ^ "KUQI BLAMES PALMER FOR TRANSFER BREAKDOWN". Sky Sports. 8 December 2001. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  5. ^ "Kuqi slams old boss Palmer". Sky Sports. 18 February 2002. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  6. ^ "Kuqi completes Owls switch". Sky Sports. 11 January 2002. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
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  36. ^ "Kuqi can't believe his luck". Sky Sports. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  37. ^ "Campbell and Kuqi released". Sky Sports. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
  38. ^ "Latics sign striker Kuqi". Oldham Athletic. 1 September 2011. Archived from the original on 20 November 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  39. ^ "KUQI COUP AS SHEFKI SIGNS FOR LATICS". Oldham Athletic. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  40. ^ "The Flying Finn signs for Oldham". Football Forums. 31 August 2011. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  41. ^ "Oldham 1-1 Huddersfield". Oldham Athletic. 3 September 2011. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  42. ^ "FIRST-HALF REPORT". Oldham Athletic. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  43. ^ "Latics comeback kings". Oldham Athletic. 17 September 2011. Archived from the original on 13 December 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  44. ^ "Oldham 3-1 Crewe". Oldham Athletic. 8 November 2011. Archived from the original on 20 December 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  45. ^ "Kuqi, Morais Leave Latics". BBC. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  46. ^ "Hibernian land striker Shefki Kuqi on one-year deal". BBC Sport. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  47. ^ "Passion of Hibs fans impressed me, says new signing Shefki Kuqi". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  48. ^ a b "Highs and lows of the Scottish football season". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 May 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
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  50. ^ Shefki Kuqi prezantohet si trajner i Feronikelit 74, gazetaexpress.com
  51. ^ "Swansea City sign Finnish striker Shefki Kuqi". BBC News. 26 January 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  52. ^ "Ekskluzive: Shefki Kuqi tregon se si i kërkuan para për ta veshur fanellën e Shqipërisë" (in Albanian). Një Komb. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  53. ^ "Games played by Shefki Kuqi in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  54. ^ a b "Games played by Shefki Kuqi in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  55. ^ "Games played by Shefki Kuqi in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  56. ^ a b "Games played by Shefki Kuqi in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  57. ^ "Games played by Shefki Kuqi in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  58. ^ "Games played by Shefki Kuqi in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  59. ^ a b "Games played by Shefki Kuqi in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  60. ^ a b c "Games played by Shefki Kuqi in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  61. ^ "Games played by Shefki Kuqi in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  62. ^ "Games played by Shefki Kuqi in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  63. ^ a b c "Games played by Shefki Kuqi in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  64. ^ "Games played by Shefki Kuqi in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  65. ^ "Games played by Shefki Kuqi in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  66. ^ Shefki Kuqi at National-Football-Teams.com
  67. ^ "Kuqi Shefki" (in Finnish). Suomen Palloliitto (Football Association of Finland). Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  68. ^ "Soccerway profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  69. ^ "Kuqi Player of the Year". twtd.co.uk (Those Were The Days). 5 April 2005. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
[edit]
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