Milot Rashica (; born 28 June 1996) is a Kosovan professional

footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby lea ...

who plays as an

attacking midfielder In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an outfield position primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. ...

or winger for

Süper Lig The Süper Lig (, ''Super League''), also known as Trendyol Süper Lig for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in Turkey and the highest level of the Turkish football league system. In the 2023–2024 season, twen ...

club

Beşiktaş Beşiktaş () is a district and municipality of Istanbul Province, Turkey. Its area is 18 km2 and its population is 175,190 (2022). It is located on the European shore of the Bosphorus strait. It is bordered on the north by Sarıyer and ...

and the Kosovo national team.

Club career

Early career

Rashica was born in

Vučitrn Vushtrri ( sq-definite, Vushtrria; sr-Cyrl, Вучитрн, ''Vučitrn'') is a city and municipality located in the Mitrovica District in Kosovo. According to the 2024 census, the town of Vushtrri has 28,150 inhabitants, while the municipality ...

FR Yugoslavia The State Union of Serbia and Montenegro or simply Serbia and Montenegro, known until 2003 as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and commonly referred to as FR Yugoslavia (FRY) or simply Yugoslavia, was a country in Southeast Europe locate ...

, in present-day

Kosovo Kosovo, officially the Republic of Kosovo, is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe with International recognition of Kosovo, partial diplomatic recognition. It is bordered by Albania to the southwest, Montenegro to the west, Serbia to the ...

to ethnic Albanian parents. He made his professional debut with local club Vushtrria, aged only 16. In August 2013, after a trial period at Gent, he refused a transfer offer from the club and made his senior debut with Vushtrria. In September 2013, after suffering an injury, Rashica moved to

Hannover Hanover ( ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the States of Germany, German state of Lower Saxony. Its population of 535,932 (2021) makes it the List of cities in Germany by population, 13th-largest city in Germany as well as the fourth-l ...

for treatment and only returned to his parent club in 2014.

Vitesse

On 10 September 2014, Rashica moved to Vitesse on a trial basis, appearing for the club's youth team. On 10 February 2015, he signed a three-year deal with the

Arnhem Arnhem ( ; ; Central Dutch dialects, Ernems: ''Èrnem'') is a Cities of the Netherlands, city and List of municipalities of the Netherlands, municipality situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands, near the German border. It is the capita ...

side, being effective on 1 July, for a reported

€ The euro sign () is the currency sign used for the euro, the official currency of the eurozone. The design was presented to the public by the European Commission on 12 December 1996. It consists of a stylized letter E (or epsilon), crossed by t ...

300,000 fee. On 30 July 2015, Rashica made his professional debut, coming on as a second-half substitute for

Uroš Đurđević Uroš Đurđević (, ; born 2 March 1994) is a professional association football, footballer who plays as a striker (association football), striker for Liga MX club Atlas FC, Atlas. Born in Serbia, he plays for the Montenegro national football te ...

in a 3–0 away loss against

Southampton Southampton is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and unitary authority in Hampshire, England. It is located approximately southwest of London, west of Portsmouth, and southeast of Salisbury. Southampton had a population of 253, ...

for the third qualifying round of 2015–16 UEFA Europa League. On 9 August, he made his

Eredivisie The Eredivisie (; "Honour Division" or "Premier Division") is a professional association football league in the Netherlands and the highest level of the Dutch football league system. The league was founded in 1956, two years after the start o ...

debut, starting and assisting Denys Oliynyk in a 1–1 away draw against Willem II. On 20 September 2015, Rashica scored his first professional goal, netting the last in a 3–0 home victory against

De Graafschap Vereniging Betaald Voetbal De Graafschap, simply known as De Graafschap () is a professional association football club based in Doetinchem, Netherlands. The team competes in the , the second level of the Dutch football league system. Founded o ...

. On 18 December, he scored a brace in a 5–1 routing of

Twente Twente ( , Tweants dialect: ''Tweante'') is a region in the eastern Netherlands. It encompasses the most urbanised and easternmost part of the province of Overijssel. Twente is most likely named after the Tuihanti or Tvihanti, a Germanic people ...

also at the GelreDome. He played as Vitesse won the final of the KNVB Beker 2–0 against

AZ Alkmaar Alkmaar Zaanstreek (), better known internationally as AZ Alkmaar, or simply and most commonly as AZ () in the Netherlands, is a Dutch professional Association football, football club from Alkmaar and the Zaan#The Zaan district, Zaan district. ...

on 30 April 2017 to lead the club, three-time runners up, to the title for the first time in its 125-year history.

Werder Bremen

On 31 January 2018, Rashica joined

Bundesliga The Bundesliga (; ), sometimes referred to as the Fußball-Bundesliga () or 1. Bundesliga (), is a professional association football league in Germany and the highest level of the German football league system. The Bundesliga comprises 18 teams ...

side

Werder Bremen Sportverein Werder Bremen von 1899 e. V. (), commonly known as Werder Bremen, Werder or simply Bremen, is a German professional sports club based in Bremen. Founded on 4 February 1899, Werder are best known for their professional association foo ...

, reportedly signing a 4.5-year contract until 2022. On 3 February 2018, he made his debut in a 2–1 away win against

Schalke 04 Fußballclub Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04 e. V., commonly known as Schalke 04 (), and abbreviated as S04 (), is a professional sports club from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It is best known for its football team, w ...

after being named in the Werder Bremen starting eleven. Rashica started in Werder Bremen's first match of the 2019–20 season against

Fortuna Düsseldorf Düsseldorfer Turn- und Sportverein Fortuna 1895 e.V., commonly known as Fortuna Düsseldorf (), is a Football in Germany, German football club based in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, that competes in the 2. Bundesliga. Founded in 1895, Fo ...

and assisted Johannes Eggestein's goal before sustaining an injury and being subbed off. He scored his first goal of the 2019–20 season on his return from an injury, on the sixth matchday of the season against

Borussia Dortmund Ballspielverein Borussia 09 e. V. Dortmund, often known simply as Borussia Dortmund () or by its initialism BVB (), or just Dortmund by International fans, is a German professional sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. It is ...

in a 2–2 draw against the black and yellows.

Norwich City

On 22 June 2021, Rashica signed a four-year contract with the newly promoted

Premier League The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...

club

Norwich City Norwich City Football Club is a professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk, England. The club competes in the Championship, the second tier of English football. The club was founded in 1902. Since 1935, Norwich have played their h ...

, and received squad number 17. Norwich City reportedly paid a €11 million transfer fee plus a possible €4 million in bonuses. On 14 August 2021, he made his debut in a 3–0 home defeat against

Liverpool Liverpool is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the eastern side of the River Mersey, Mersey Estuary, near the Irish Sea, north-west of London. With a population ...

after being named in the starting line-up. Rashica scored his first goal for Norwich City in January 2022, when he netted the winning goal in an

FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, more commonly known as the FA Cup, is an annual Single-elimination tournament, knockout association football, football competition in domestic Football in England, English football. First played during ...

tie at

Charlton Athletic Charlton Athletic Football Club is a professional association football club based in Charlton, south-east London, England. The team compete in the EFL Championship, the second level of the English football league system. Their home ground is ...

. He provided an assist for Josh Sargent as Norwich City moved out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 3–0 win over

Watford Watford () is a town and non-metropolitan district with Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough status in Hertfordshire, England, northwest of Central London, on the banks of the River Colne, Hertfordshire, River Colne. Initially a smal ...

. He scored his first Premier League goal for Norwich when he scored the first goal in a 3–1 defeat away to Liverpool at

Anfield Anfield is a Association football, football stadium in the area of Anfield (suburb), Anfield, Liverpool, England, which has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since its formation in 1892. The stadium has a seating capacity of 61,276, making it the ...

; in doing so he became the first Kosovan to score in the Premier League.

Loan to Galatasaray

On 8 September 2022, Rashica joined

side

Galatasaray Galatasaray Spor Kulübü (, ''Galatasaray Sports Club''), more commonly referred to as simply Galatasaray and familiarly as Cimbom, is a Turkish sports club based on the European side of the city of Istanbul including basketball, wheelchair ...

, on a season-long loan. Galatasaray will reportedly pay him a €1.5 million net fee. His debut with Galatasaray came three days later in a 3–2 away win against Kasımpaşa after coming on as a substitute at 83rd minute in place of Yunus Akgün. He scored his first goal against Giresunspor on 28 January 2023, after substituting in place of

Dries Mertens Dries "Ciro" Mertens (; born 6 May 1987) is a free agent Belgian professional Association football, footballer who last played as a Forward (association football), forward or Winger (association football), winger for Süper Lig club Galatasaray ...

. As of early March 2023, he scored 2 goals and gave 3 assists in 18 official games he played for Galatasaray. Rashica became the champion in the Süper Lig in the 2022–23 season with Galatasaray. Defeating Ankaragücü 4–1 away in the match played in the 36th week on 30 May 2023, Galatasaray secured the lead with two weeks before the end and won the 23rd championship in its history.

Beşiktaş

On 15 August 2023, Rashica signed a four-year contract with

club

International career

Albania

Under-17

Rashica was called up to

Albania Albania ( ; or ), officially the Republic of Albania (), is a country in Southeast Europe. It is located in the Balkans, on the Adriatic Sea, Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea, and shares land borders with Montenegro to ...

's under-17 team by coach Džemal Mustedanagić for the 2013 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round in October 2012, and made his debut for the side on the 18th, starting in a 1–0 loss against

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

. Five days later, he scored the fifth in a 6–0 routing of Liechtenstein; he appeared in three matches and scored once, as Albania was knocked out after finishing third in its group.

Under-19

On 7 November 2014, Rashica was called up to the under-19s by coach Altin Lala ahead of 2015 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying round. He appeared against

Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

and

Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

, as Albania was again eliminated.

Under-21

On 28 August 2015, Rashica was included in Redi Jupi's under-21 squad for the

2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification The 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying competition was a men's under-21 football competition that determined the 11 teams joining the automatically qualified hosts Poland in the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship tournament ...

matches against

Israel Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...

and

. He made his debut on 3 September, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 home draw against the former, and also suffering a penalty which was later converted by Endri Çekiçi.

Senior

Rashica made his debut for the full squad on 29 March 2016, coming on as a second-half substitute for Ledian Memushaj in a 2–0 friendly win against

Luxembourg Luxembourg, officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a landlocked country in Western Europe. It is bordered by Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east, and France on the south. Its capital and most populous city, Luxembour ...

. He only appeared in one further match for the national setup, a 3–1 win against

Qatar Qatar, officially the State of Qatar, is a country in West Asia. It occupies the Geography of Qatar, Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East; it shares Qatar–Saudi Arabia border, its sole land b ...

on 29 May.

Kosovo

On 15 August 2016, it was announced that Rashica had switched to

. On 30 August 2016, he received a call-up from Kosovo for a

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification The 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification process was a series of tournaments organised by the six FIFA FIFA#Structure, confederations to decide 31 of the 32 teams which would play in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with Russia national football team, Rus ...

match against

Finland Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, ...

and made his debut after being named in the starting line-up.

Career statistics

Club

International

:''Scores and results list Kosovo's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Rashica goal.''

Honours

Vushtrria *

Football Superleague of Kosovo The Football Superleague of Kosovo (), also known as the ALBI MALL Superleague of Kosovo () for sponsorship reasons with Albi Mall, is the top level of the Football in Kosovo#Men's, Kosovar football league system. The Superleague is organized by t ...

: 2013–14 Vitesse *

KNVB Cup The KNVB Beker (; ), branded as the TOTO KNVB Beker for sponsorship reasons, is a competition in the Netherlands organised by the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) since 1898. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside the N ...

: 2016–17 Galatasaray *

: 2022–23 Besiktas *

Turkish Cup The Turkish Cup () is a football cup competition in Turkish football, run by the Turkish Football Federation since 1962. During a brief sponsorship period with Fortis, its sponsored name was ''Fortis Türkiye Kupası''. Now Ziraat Bankası is ...

: 2023–24 *

Turkish Super Cup The Turkish Super Cup, known as Turkcell Super Cup () for sponsorship reasons, is a super cup tournament in Turkish football. Founded in 1966 as a two-team competition, the current version has been contested since 2025 by four teams: the winners ...

2024 The year saw the list of ongoing armed conflicts, continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Myanmar civil war (2021–present), Myanmar civil war, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudane ...

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Rashica, Milot 1996 births Living people Footballers from Vushtrri Kosovo Albanians Kosovan men's footballers 21st-century Kosovan sportsmen Albanian men's footballers Men's association football wingers Dual internationalists (men's football) Kosovo men's international footballers Albania men's youth international footballers Albania men's under-21 international footballers Albania men's international footballers Football Superleague of Kosovo players Eredivisie players Bundesliga players Premier League players English Football League players Süper Lig players FC Vushtrria players SBV Vitesse players SV Werder Bremen players Norwich City F.C. players Galatasaray S.K. footballers Beşiktaş J.K. footballers Kosovan expatriate men's footballers Albanian expatriate men's footballers Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands Albanian expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Germany Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in Germany Expatriate men's footballers in Germany Albanian expatriate sportspeople in England Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in England Expatriate men's footballers in England Albanian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey Kosovan expatriate sportspeople in Turkey Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey 21st-century Albanian sportsmen