TIRANA, Feb. 4 – Albanian international forward Shkelzen Gashi has moved to the U.S. Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids following few playing opportunities in the Swiss Super League this season with Basel. He becomes the second Albanian international to play in the Major League Soccer after Hamdi Salihi’s 2012-2013 spell with D.C. United.
“Shkà«lzen was our top attacking target this offseason,” said Paul Bravo, Technical Director and VP of Soccer Operations as quoted by the club in a statement “He has proven to be a prolific goal scorer in his club’s domestic and European success. In addition, he has been instrumental in his national team’s qualification campaign for Euro 2016. We are delighted to sign him on a permanent transfer and look forward to seeing him in burgundy,” he added.
Gashi, 27, joins Major League Soccer from FC Basel of the Swiss Super League, where he scored 25 goals since his arrival to the club prior to the 2014 season. The Albanian international has earned Swiss Super League Golden Boot honors in his last two seasons after scoring 19 goals for Grasshopper Club Zà¼rich in 2013-14 and 22 goals for FC Basel in 2014-15. In 2014, he earned Axpo Player of the Year accolades, awarded to the best player in the Swiss Super League.
The Swiss-born attacker of Kosovo origin made 21 appearances for the Switzerland U17, U19 and U21 squads, notching eight goals. In 2013, Gashi earned his senior team debut for the Albanian national team after receiving his citizenship on August 18.
At the senior level, Gashi has scored three goals in 11 appearances for Albania, including the game-winning goal against Armenia during the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers on March 29, 2015. The UEFA Euro 2016 will be Albania’s first ever appearance at a major football tournament after the side finished in second place of Group I behind Portugal.
Gashi joins Irish international striker Kevin Doyle as a Designated Player on the Rapids’ roster.
The Rapids season starts March 6 on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes, with the home opener against the LA Galaxy on March 12.
The move to the U.S. Major League Soccer is also considered key to Gashi’s presence in the Euro 2016 following few playing opportunities this season.
Back in 2012, Hamdi Salihi, another Albanian international who currently plays for Albanian reigning champions Skenderbeu moved to Major League Soccer side D.C. United as a designated player playing for one season. He scored 6 goals in 22 appearances.
