Xhevdet Shabani (born 10 October 1986) is a Kosovar former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is nicknamed as "Rrapa".
Club career
Teuta Durrës
In June 2014, Shabani moved for the first time aboard and signed with Albanian Superliga side Teuta Durrës for the 2014–15 season.[1] In an interview, he said that the reason he signed was the project and club's ambition.[1] He commenced the season on 23 August by scoring in the 2–1 loss to Flamurtari Vlorë in the opening week of championship.[2]
Later on 10 September, Shabani scored a brace to lead the team into a 1–5 win over fellow relegation strugglers Elbasani for the first victory of the season.[3] He finished the first part of the season with 14 matches and 3 goals, in addition to 1 cup match, before leaving in January to return to Kosovo.
Feronikeli
On 11 January 2015, Shabani returned in Kosovo to sign a six-month contract with top flight side Feronikeli.[4] He debuted for the team on 1 March in the matchday 17 against Kosova Vushtrri, receiving a red card in the second half in an eventual 0–2 away win.[5] He scored his maiden Ferronikeli goal on 8 May in the 3–0 home win over Ferizaj to bring the team closer to the title.[6] He finished the second part of the season by appearing in 17 league matches and scoring twice as Ferronikeli won the 2014–15 Football Superleague of Kosovo.[7] Shabani left as a free agent in July 2015 after his contract ran out.[8]
Besa Pejë
In May 2016, Shabani completed a transfer at Besa Pejë by penning a contract for 2016–17 season.[9] During his first at only season at The Eagles, Shabani scored 9 goals in 29 league appearances as Besa finished 6th in championship.
Drita
On 16 June 2017, Shabani returned to Drita for a third time by penning a one-year contract, taking the squad number 10 in the process.[10] He made his competitive debut later on 20 August in the opening match of championship against Prishtina, scoring the lone goal of the match.[11] In matchday 5 against Drenica, Shabani produced a Man of the Match performance by assisting the second goal and winning the penalty which lead to the third goal in a 3–0 home win which returned Drita to the winning ways after three consecutive matches.[12] Later on 10 October, he scored his first brace of the season against the leaders of Llapi to bring Drita closer to the lead of championship.[13]
On 6 December, in the 2017–18 Kosovar Cup fourth round against Feronikeli, Shabani scored the opener for a 3–0 win to send Drita through to the next round.[14] His performances throughout the year earned him a spot at Football Superleague of Kosovo Team of the Year 2017.[15] He along with Ardian Limani were the only Drita players to be selected.[15]
Drita won the championship on 20 May 2018 after holding on into a draw in the final matchday versus Prishtina, finishing three points above them and also clinching a spot to 2018–19 UEFA Champions League preliminary round.[16] Shabani was ever-present, playing all matches as starter, netting 10 goals which placed him as the team's second scorer of the 2017–18 season.[17]
On 12 June 2018, it was announced that Drita would play their first Champions League game versus Santa Coloma.[18] The team won the match 2–0, with Shabani scoring Drita's first ever Champions League with a curled shot outside the box to break the deadlock in the 9th minute of extra-time.[19]
International career
On 22 January 2018. Shabani received his first call-up from Kosovo for the friendly match against Azerbaijan.[20] The match however was cancelled two days later, which prolonged his debut.[21]
