Hajdin Salihu (born 18 January 2002) is a Kosovan professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Ukrainian Premier League club LNZ Cherkasy.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Hajdin Salihu | ||
| Date of birth | 18 January 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Podujevo, FR Yugoslavia (modern Kosovo) | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | LNZ Cherkasy | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Besiana | |||
| –2018 | Kurda Football School | ||
| 2018–2021 | Llapi | ||
| 2020–2021 | → Lokomotiva (loan) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018–2021 | Llapi | 12 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | → Lokomotiva (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2021–2023 | Lokomotiva | 11 | (0) |
| 2022 | → Laçi (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | Drita | 16 | (0) |
| 2024– | LNZ Cherkasy | 13 | (3) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2018 | Kosovo U17 | 3 | (0) |
| 2019 | Kosovo U19 | 2 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20 June 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16 March 2021 | |||
Club career
Early career and Llapi
Salihu is a product of the two most famous football schools in Kosovo, Besiana and Kurda. On 19 June 2018, he joined Football Superleague of Kosovo side Llapi,[2] and received squad number 15.[3] On 1 November 2019, he made his debut in a 1–0 home win against Drenica after being named in the starting line-up.[4]
Lokomotiva
Period on loan
On 18 October 2020, Salihu joined Croatian First League side Lokomotiva, on a season-long loan.[5] On 27 February 2021, he was named as a Lokomotiva substitute for the first time in a league match against Šibenik.[6] His debut with Lokomotiva came fourteen days later in a 0–0 home draw against Istra 1961 after being named in the starting line-up.[7]
Return as a permanent player
On 9 July 2021, Salihu signed a two-year contract with Croatian First League club Lokomotiva, transfer which was officially confirmed seventeen days later.[8] Eight days later, he was named as a Lokomotiva substitute for the first time in a league match against Hajduk Split.[9]
Short-time loan at Laçi and return from loan
On 17 January 2022, Salihu joined Kategoria Superiore side Laçi, on a season-long loan.[10] Five days later, he was named as a Laçi substitute for the first time in a league match against Teuta Durrës.[11] On 10 February 2022, Salihu returned from loan to replace one of Lokomotiva's injured defenders.[12] Two days later, he played the first game after the return against Istra 1961 after being named in the starting line-up.[13]
Drita
In June 2023, Salihu joined Kosovan club Drita, starting from 1 July 2023. He signed a contract until 30 June 2026.[14]
International career
Kosovo
Salihu represented Kosovo U17 in the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifications, helping Kosovo top their group in the qualifying round.[15] He also represented Kosovo at U19 and U21 level with the latter was part in two 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches as an unused substitute.
Albania
On 16 March 2021, Lokomotiva through a communiqué stated that Salihu switched his allegiance to Albania U21 and received the call-up for the March gathering.[16] On 20 March 2021, he received a call-up from Albania U21 for a training camp held from 22 to 30 March 2021 and for unofficial friendly match against Tirana and Bylis.[17]