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Besian Idrizaj (born 12 October 1987 in Baden bei Wien, Austria) is an Austrian striker who plays for Championship side Swansea City.

Career

Liverpool

He signed for the Reds from LASK Linz in the summer of 2005 on a two year contract, following a trial spell. He was Austria's young player of the year in 2004/05.

At the time he declared "I have always been a Liverpool fan and it is a dream come true to play for them. If you get a chance to go to Liverpool on trial then you have to take it. You cannot ignore a trial with the reigning Champions League winners. I would even have swum across the channel just to take part."

Unfortunately 2005/06 was interrupted by injuries, however Idrizaj was expected to be a regular member of Gary Ablett and Hughie McAuley's reserve squad for the 2006/07 season. He made his debut for the first team in a pre-season friendly against Wrexham on 15 July 2006, playing for the first 45 minutes upfront as a striker, alongside fellow debutant Craig Bellamy.

After going on loan to Luton in 2007 he returned to Liverpool for the close season. On 7 July 2007, Idrizaj scored a hat trick in a friendly for the Reds against Wrexham A.F.C in a period of 26 minutes. All 3 goals were set up by Jermaine Pennant.^[1]

Luton Town

On 16 March 2007, Idrizaj went on loan to Championship team Luton Town, until the end of the 2006/07 season.^[2] He made his English league debut with them the day after, but was substituted after 49 minutes.^[3] He went on to play six more times for the club, scoring one goal against Southend United.

Crystal Palace

On 30 August 2007 he signed for Crystal Palace on a 12 month loan deal^[4].

Idrizaj made his debut for Crystal Palace against Charlton Athletic on 1 September 2007 in the South London derby as a 72nd minute replacement for Clinton Morrison. ^[5] However, Idrizaj failed to establish himself at Crystal Palace and in January 2008 Manager Neil Warnock demanded that Liverpool take Idrizaj back during the January transfer window as Idrizaj would see no further action during his remaining time on loan with Crystal Palace. On 31 January 2008, Idrizaj of his own accord agreed to a loan move to Oldham Athletic for the remainder of the 2007/08 season after cancelling the remainder of the loan deal with Crystal Palace.^[6] However, after interference from his agent Idrizaj backtracked on the deal and decided not to join The Latics. ^[7]

Return to Austria

On 31 January 2008 he signed for Austrian Football Club Fußballclub Wacker Innsbruck on loan, from Liverpool, until the end of the 2007/08 football season, when his contract at Liverpool was terminated.

FC Eilenburg

Idrizaj played five games in the German NOFV-Oberliga Süd for FC Eilenburg and cashed in his second game the Red Card^[8].

Blackburn Rovers

In July 2009 Idrizaj signed a contract with the Blackburn Rovers, where he is part of the reserve team. ^[9]

Swansea City

Swansea City took on Idrizaj on trial on the 18 August 2009 and he signed for the club on 22 August 2009^[10]. He was hailed by Swans maanger Paulo Sousa "He's not quite a striker but he is an attacking player, I know a lot about him and he is the sort of player that could fit into our squad. He signed after impressing The Swans boss in training. He was given permission to train on field during the Reading and Coventry City games. It was reported he was offered the contract during the Coventry City game on 22 August. He accepted the contract at half time. ^[11].^[12]

Statistics

Personal

Idrizaj is of Albanian descent from Kosovo.

References

External links

• Profile at liverpoolfc.tv