FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Sabah Kerjota is still a little-known name to the Albanian sports public, but the 24-year-old striker from Shkodra is having the most important season of his career in Scotland. With the Heart of Midlothian jersey, he is very close to winning the championship title, challenging the historical dominance of Celtic and Rangers.
Raised in the Vllaznia academy, Kerjota played with the Shkodran club's youth teams until 2018. He then decided to leave for Italy, where he initially took a break from football for several months, before resuming his career in the amateur categories and then in Serie D.
In Italy he wore the jerseys of several teams such as Narnese, Klituno, Ancona, Montefano, Vigor Senigalia and Sambenedetese, gradually building his profile as a striker.
Missed chance with Parma
In 2020, Kerjota had an important opportunity to take the big step in his career. Parma showed concrete interest in him and the sporting director at the time, Daniele Faxhiano, planned to keep him under contract.
However, due to changes in the club's strategy and administrative issues related to places for players from outside the European Union, the deal was never finalized.
The turn to Serie D and the transfer to Scotland
The turning point came with Vigor Senigalia. Within two seasons in Serie D, Kerjota scored 19 goals and provided 29 assists in 71 matches, statistics that caught the attention of Sambenedeteze.
With this team, he recorded 10 goals and 13 assists in 37 appearances, contributing to the team's promotion to Serie C. His performances convinced the leaders of Heart of Midlothian, who in the summer of 2025 paid around 150 thousand euros for the Albanian's transfer and offered him a contract until 2028.
Next to a historical miracle
Heart of Midlothian are having an incredible season in the Scottish Championship. The Edinburgh club lead the standings with 76 points, three more than Celtic and seven more than Rangers, with three games remaining until the end of the season.
If they are crowned champions, Hearts will win their first title since the 1959-1960 season, ending a 41-year dominance of Celtic and Rangers in Scottish football.
Kerjota has played 18 games in his first season in Scotland. Although his playing time has been limited, he has often proved decisive. One of the most important moments was an assist in the 91st minute against Hibernian, while later against the same rival he contributed another assist in the overthrow of his team.
His performances have also earned him praise from coach Derek McInnes.
" We are excited about Kerjota and I am confident that he will be even more decisive next season ," McInnes declared.
Season finale against Celtic
The fate of the championship could be decided on May 16, when Hearts will face Celtic head-to-head in what is considered the “finale” of the season. Before that, the Edinburgh team will play Majorwell and Falkirk.
For Sabah Kerjota, the journey from the fields of Shkodra, to the lower categories in Italy and now to the title race in Scotland, represents the story of a footballer who has built everything step by step.
However, despite positive performances in Scotland, the Albanian striker has yet to receive an invitation from the Albanian National Team.
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