Blerim Džemaili
Encyclopedia
Blerim Džemaili (born 12 April 1986) is a Swiss
football midfielder of Albanian
origin who plays for Napoli
.
on 9 February 2007, meaning that he would sign for the Premiership
outfit once his contract ran out in the summer of 2007.
Former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce
was quoted as saying: "Džemaili is a fantastic player, who has played for the best team in Switzerland for the past three years. For someone so young, he has a wealth of experience. At the tender age of 20, he is the skipper of FC Zurich and is expected to become a regular international for Switzerland
in the years ahead. He has hardly missed a game for FC Zurich since he started playing for them at the age of 17. I am excited by the prospect of working with Blerim next season".
However things did not go as planned for the pair; Džemaili sustained a long-term injury only months prior to his move. Džemaili made his debut as a substitute in the club's FA Cup
defeat to Sheffield United
in what proved to be his only showing of the 2007-08 campaign.
on a season-long loan deal, on 1 September 2008, making his debut with Torino on 24 September 2008, and became a staple fixture in their side for the season. Despite their relegation to Serie B, Torino confirmed they had signed him on a permanent basis after they agreed an undisclosed fee with Bolton.
After having played just once for Torino at Coppa Italia, Džemaili completed a loan move to Parma
on 31 August 2009. In exchange, Daniele Vantaggiato
moved to Turin. His first and second halves were then bought by Parma in the summers of 2010 and 2011.
and Manuele Blasi
going the other way to Parma
.
, and was called up to the 2006 World Cup
.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
football midfielder of Albanian
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
origin who plays for Napoli
S.S.C. Napoli
Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli, commonly referred to as Napoli, is a professional Italian football club based in Naples and founded in 1926. The club has spent most of its history in Serie A, where it currently plays its 2011–12 season....
.
FC Zürich
Džemaili started his career at Swiss side FC Zürich. There he was part of the 2005–06 and 2006–2007 Swiss Championship winning team. In Swiss side, he was chosen Captain in 2005-2006, and is one of the youngest Captain in Swiss football history.Bolton
Džemaili signed a preliminary contract agreement with Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
on 9 February 2007, meaning that he would sign for the Premiership
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
outfit once his contract ran out in the summer of 2007.
Former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce
Samuel "Sam" Allardyce , nicknamed "Big Sam", is an English football manager and former professional player. In June 2011 he was appointed as manager of West Ham United....
was quoted as saying: "Džemaili is a fantastic player, who has played for the best team in Switzerland for the past three years. For someone so young, he has a wealth of experience. At the tender age of 20, he is the skipper of FC Zurich and is expected to become a regular international for Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
in the years ahead. He has hardly missed a game for FC Zurich since he started playing for them at the age of 17. I am excited by the prospect of working with Blerim next season".
However things did not go as planned for the pair; Džemaili sustained a long-term injury only months prior to his move. Džemaili made his debut as a substitute in the club's FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
defeat to Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
in what proved to be his only showing of the 2007-08 campaign.
Torino / Parma
Džemaili joined TorinoTorino F.C.
Torino Football Club, commonly referred to as simply Torino, is a professional Italian football club based in Turin, Piedmont, that was founded in 1906. The club has spent most of its history in the top tier in Italian football....
on a season-long loan deal, on 1 September 2008, making his debut with Torino on 24 September 2008, and became a staple fixture in their side for the season. Despite their relegation to Serie B, Torino confirmed they had signed him on a permanent basis after they agreed an undisclosed fee with Bolton.
After having played just once for Torino at Coppa Italia, Džemaili completed a loan move to Parma
Parma F.C.
Parma Football Club , commonly referred to as just Parma, is an Italian professional football club based in Parma, Emilia–Romagna that will compete in Serie A for the 2011–12 season, having finished in twelfth position last season. Founded as Verdi Foot Ball Club in July 1913, the club changed its...
on 31 August 2009. In exchange, Daniele Vantaggiato
Daniele Vantaggiato
Daniele Vantaggiato is an Italian footballer who plays for Bologna, on loan from Padova.- Career :Vantaggiato started his career at A.S. Bari. He was sold to Crotone in joint-ownership bid, where he won Serie B promotion. Vantaggiato returned to Bari in summer 2005...
moved to Turin. His first and second halves were then bought by Parma in the summers of 2010 and 2011.
Napoli
On 25 June 2011 he signed for Napoli with Fabiano SantacroceFabiano Santacroce
Fabiano Santacroce is an Italian Brazilian central or left defender who currently plays for Serie A club Parma, on loan from Napoli...
and Manuele Blasi
Manuele Blasi
Manuele Blasi is an Italian football midfielder who currently plays for Serie A club Parma.-Career:A centre midfielder, Blasi made his Serie A debut for A.S. Roma in a match against Piacenza on 22 January 2000. he also played for Lecce at Serie B before returned to Roma. In mid-2000 he was signed...
going the other way to Parma
Parma
Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
.
International career
He is a member of the Swiss national teamSwitzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
, and was called up to the 2006 World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
.