Erald 'Tushe' Turdiu (born July 15, 1984, in Tirana) is an Albanian retired footballer who finished his career with Dinamo Tirana in the Albanian First Division as a midfielder. [1] He has played for KF Tirana and Shkumbini Peqin.

Erald Turdiu
Personal information
Full name Erald Turdiu
Date of birth (1984-07-15) July 15, 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth Tirana, Albania
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Tirana
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2006 Kastrioti 60 (3)
2006–2007 Tirana 5 (0)
2007–2008 Kastrioti 24 (3)
2008–2009 Shkumbini 27 (2)
2009–2014 Kastrioti 102 (11)
2014–2016 Dinamo Tirana 61 (15)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 October 2015

Career

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Dinamo Tirana

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On 2 September 2014, Turdiu joined Albanian First Division side Dinamo Tirana on a one-year contract, signing along with Erjon Xhafa.[2] He made his competitive debut later that month, on 27 September, in the 0–2 away win over Luftëtari Gjirokastër, scoring the opener in the 12th minute.[3] Turdiu enjoyed a prolific form in October, scoring three times, including the winner against Lushnja, taking his tally up to 4 goals.[4] On 23 November, during the league match against Bylis Ballsh, Turdiu was sent-off in the 80th minute after headbutting Orgest Buzi.[5] Three days later, Turdiu gave his version, saying he did not headbutt Buzi, adding that he [Buzi] had pushing and played aggressively against him [Turdiu] the whole match.[6] He missed the next match against Butrinti Sarandë,[7] and returned in action on 6 December in the 3–1 away defeat to Pogradeci.[8]

Personal life

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Turdiu was assaulted by police in 2008 whilst he was a Shkumbini Peqin player, following a brawl to which he was witness. It is claimed that Turdiu had insulted the on-duty police officer and they reacted violently, beating Turdiu in the centre of the capital, Tirana.[9]

In December 2010, Turdiu brutally assaulted Albanian Superliga referee Laver Alla, outside a bar near Tirana International Airport. He faced a lifetime ban by the FSHF as the player had a string of offences and bans, including an 8 match ban following a mass brawl during the Albanian Superliga 2010 Playoff finals.[10] He received a 4-year ban by the FSHF but following an appeal by the player and his club Kastrioti Krujë, the ban was lifted after just 8 months meaning Turdiu was eligible to play at the start of the 2011–12 campaign.[11]

Honours

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KF Tirana
Kastrioti Krujë

References

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  1. ^ "Erald Turdiu". FSHF.org. Archived from the original on 8 October 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  2. ^ Erjon Hamitaj (2 September 2014). "Firmosin Turdiu dhe E.Xhafa" [Turdiu and E.Xhafa signs] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Luftëtari Gjirokastër vs. Dinamo Tirana 0 – 2". Soccerway. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  4. ^ Gjergj Vyshka (26 October 2014). "Dinamo mposht minimalisht Lushnjën, Erald Turdiu, heroi i bluve kryeqytetas" [Dinamo defeats minimally Lushnja, Erald Turdiu, the hero of capital blues] (in Albanian). Albanian Sport. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Bylis Ballsh vs. Dinamo Tirana 2 – 1". Soccerway. 23 November 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  6. ^ Erjon Hamitaj (26 November 2014). "Turdiu: Ja e vërteta e sherrit në Ballsh" [The truth of the brawl at Ballsh] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  7. ^ "Dinamo Tirana vs. Butrinti Sarandë 2 – 1". Soccerway. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  8. ^ Gjergj Vyshka (7 December 2014). "Pogradeci, një "mace e zezë" për Dinamon, e mund sërish 3-1" [Pogradeci, a “black cat” for Dinamo, defeats them again 3-1] (in Albanian). Albanian Sport. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  9. ^ Gerti Xhaja (11 November 2008). "Rrihet në polici futbollisti i Peqinit, Erald Turdiu" [Gets beaten on police station footballer of Peqini, Erald Turdiu] (in Albanian). Info Arkiv. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  10. ^ "Dhunoi gjyqtarin, Turdiu rrezikon pezullimin përjetë" (in Albanian). News-Al. 26 December 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2011.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "Disiplina fal Erald Turdiun" (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 13 July 2011. Archived from the original on 7 November 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
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