Following a phenomenal season on loan at Elversberg, Fisnik Asllani is poised to make a significant impact in the Bundesliga for Hoffenheim. Let`s delve into the career path of the 22-year-old Kosovo international up to this point.
Key Stats:
- Age: 22 (born 8 August 2002)
- Club: Hoffenheim
- Position: Striker
- Country: Kosovo (five caps)
During Elversberg`s impressive 2024/25 campaign, where they contended for promotion, Hoffenheim loanee Asllani was the standout performer. He was directly involved in more goals than any other player in Bundesliga 2 that season, scoring 18 goals and providing eight assists. This adds another prolific chapter to the career of a player with a proven knack for finding the net.
Caption: Asllani contributed to 26 goals while on loan at Elversberg in Bundesliga 2.
Youth Career
Born in Berlin, Asllani started his footballing journey at BFC Dynamo before joining Union Berlin`s academy at age 14 in 2016. He quickly began to shine, netting 23 goals and adding seven assists for the U17s in 2018/19. He continued this form with the U19s, scoring 15 and assisting seven in just 16 appearances during the 2019/20 season.
Caption: Asllani impressed in Union Berlin`s youth teams before his move to Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim then secured his signature, and Asllani was integrated into the senior setup, playing for the reserve side over the subsequent two seasons. Unfortunately, his progress was hampered by injuries, including issues with a swollen pubic bone, ankle, and knee problems.
Asllani eventually made his first-team debut for Hoffenheim in a 1-0 win against RB Leipzig in November 2021, going on to make nine appearances by the end of the 2022/23 season. His strong performance for the reserve team, scoring 14 goals in 22 Regionalliga matches, contributed to his loan moves, first to Austria Vienna for 2023/24, and then his successful spell at Elversberg.
On the international stage, Asllani was eligible for both Germany and Kosovo due to his parents` heritage and played for both nations at youth level. Ultimately, he chose to represent Kosovo, earning his senior cap against Romania in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League.
Caption: Asllani earned nine caps for Germany`s youth teams.
Playing Style
Plays a bit like: Hugo Ekitiké
Similar to Eintracht Frankfurt`s forward Hugo Ekitiké, who played both as a secondary striker and the main attacker last season, Asllani exhibits versatility. Ekitiké scored 15 Bundesliga goals and set up eight, statistics comparable to Asllani`s output at Elversberg. Both players, standing around 6’2”, have also occasionally featured on the left wing. Ekitiké has already proven himself in the German top flight, and Asllani appears ready to follow suit.
Caption: Asllani is described as an athletic, creative, and agile forward.
An Interesting Fact
Did you know?
After excelling at Union Berlin, Asllani attracted significant interest from top clubs, including Bayern Munich. According to Asllani himself, he even held discussions with Sebastian Hoeneß, who was coaching in Bayern`s youth system at the time. However, Asllani decided against the move, feeling he wasn`t quite ready for such a big step at that moment. He joined Hoffenheim a year later.
What They`re Saying
“He`s a guaranteed goal scorer. He always makes things look so easy. He knows how football works.”
– André Hofschneider, former head coach of Union Berlin`s youth academy
“He has a great understanding of the game, a striking finishing ability and a tremendous joy of running.”
– Former Elversberg head coach Horst Steffen
“Fisnik has a fine character. He is very mature for his age and on his way to becoming a leading player”
– Elversberg sporting director Ole Book towards the start of the 2024/25 campaign
