Andi Lila

Lila began his career with local side Besa Kavajë, where he made his debut in 2002 as a 16-year-old and soon became a regular first team player, which earned him a move to Greek club Iraklis in January 2007.

Under Gianni De Biasi he has primarily played as a right midfielder or right winger since 2014, and he has helped Albania qualify for its first major international tournament as they reached Euro 2016.

Lila's performances at right-back paved the way for his move to Greek club Iraklis in January 2007, where he joined fellow Albanians, Enea Koliçi, Elvis Kaja and Indrit Fortuzi.

[4] Lila completed his move to Tirana on 21 July 2008 after him and his agent Sokol Haxhia agreed to terms with the capital club and its president Refik Halili.

[8] During the entire 2008–09 season he became the club's first choice right back and he played 29 games, he also proved that he has attacking qualities as well by scoring 4 goals during the campaign.

[10] Tirana also went into the final of 2008–09 Albanian Cup, where "The White and Blues" were defeated 2–1 by Flamurtari Vlorë, in a match where Lila was an unused substitute.

[12] Later, on 16 August, Lila won his second silverware at Tirana, the Albanian Supercup, where he aided the team to beat Flamurtari Vlorë 1–0 at Qemal Stafa Stadium.

[13] Lila completed a transfer to Greek side PAS Giannina on 24 June 2011 by signing a three-year contract worth €200,000 plus bonuses.

[14][15] He was given squad number 3 and made his competitive debut on 27 August by starting in the goalless draw against Aris Thessaloniki in the opening week of 2011–12 Superleague Greece.

[16] In his first full season at Ajax of Epirus Lila contributed with 21 league appearances, scoring no goals as the team finished 8th in championship.

[20] His second of the season came on 24 January of the following year in the second leg of Greek Football Cup against Fostiras, leading his team into a 2–3 win and progression to quarter-finals.

[31] In his first game back after returning from injury, Lila scored his first goal for Parma against Sassuolo on 15 March 2015; having played from the start, with the match ending as a 4–1 defeat for the Gialloblù.

[45] He returned on the starting lineup four days later by playing 64 minutes in the 3–0 loss at Veria,[46] and scored his first of the campaign later that month, an opener in an eventual 1–1 home draw against AEK Athens in the matchday 30.

[50] Lila was first called up to the Albania national team by Otto Baric in late 2007; it was his performances as a right back for Besa Kavajë in the Albanian Superliga that caught the eye of the Croatian.

[52] The next manager of the national team also liked Lila's play and this earned him a call up by Arie Haan to his first game in charge which was a friendly against Poland on 27 May 2008.

Andi Lila managed to play another two games under Arie Haan, in a friendly against Liechtenstein and a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Malta.

[58] After winning 0–3 at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium against Armenia on 11 October 2015,[59] Albania's spot at UEFA Euro 2016 was confirmed as team finished second in Group I with 14 points.

[68] On 16 July 2015 Lila was decorated with the "Honorary Citizen of Kavaja" award for protecting the national symbols and for his contribution to Albanian football.

Lila in action with Tirana in 2010.
Lila Lila on international duty in 2015.
Lila (#2) lining up with Albania in March 2016.